Both National Football League (NFL) playoff games over the weekend were played like championship games.  No blow outs, no clear decisive third quarter wins, just two games that were played by four teams that earned their way to their league championship game.

If you had read my column last week, I had laid out the teams that would be represented in the 2011 NFL Super Bowl. Now looking back, I had predicted the correct winning teams, as well as the score for one game almost spot-on. I do take some exception to one, however.

Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff misses a heart-breaking 32-yard field goal to tie the game, causing them to fall to the Patriots 23-20.  That wasn’t the worst part.  The NFL officiating crew that allowed the field goal to take place blew the touchdown call that may have won the game for the Ravens. Wide receiver Lee Evans received a pass from qarterback Joe Flacco in the end zone that was stripped by cornerback Sterling Moore.  However, when replaying the video, the ball appears to come out only after both feet have touched the ground and possession had taken place.  In the NFL rulebook, this is a touchdown, though it was ruled incomplete and led to the field goal.  Why wasn’t it reviewed by NFL officials? Why does the NFL have a mandatory review for all scoring plays but not all “almost” scoring plays? Surprisingly enough, Flacco outplayed Patriots wonder boy Brady for two more touchdowns, one less interception and roughly 70 more yards through the air.  Even Brady admitted it too, saying, “Well, I sucked pretty bad today, but our defense saved us.”  Disappointing indeed.

Prediction: Patriots 31, Ravens 28
Reality: Patriots 23, Ravens 30

“Who’s got it better than us?” — An exclamation that will not be heard again until perhaps next season. The New York Giants were perhaps the most deserving team of all in the National Football Conference (NFC) this year to make it to the Super Bowl.  Yes, 49ers fans even more than the hometown guys.  Why? Because all you heard during the season was how the one loss Green Bay Packers and the two-loss San Francisco 49ers were going to dominate and meet in the NFC Championship game.  That didn’t happen.  The New Orleans Saints gained steam and they became a favorite.  That didn’t happen.  A 9-7 Giants that had barely beat out the Dallas Cowboys because that team went into a downward spiral, won their division.  They were waiting in the weeds to strike — and they sure did.  No media outlet or “expert” had taken Eli Manning seriously when he uttered that word “elite.”  They beat the wild card team from the NFC North, which may be not the toughest challenge.  Then they beat the No. 1 seed in the NFL: the Green Bay Packers.  Then, and only then, did people think they were for real.  

I am going to say, however, that both of these games played this weekend were defensive games.  Really exciting and nail biting close calls that only the best could win.  Folks, bottom line is you cannot win a football game if your quarterback can only accomplish 1-13 on third down conversions and throw to one wide receiver and that was to Michael Crabtree for three yards.  I think the kid has a lot of potential and growing to do, but he has proven, in my opinion that he just doesn’t have “it.”  Not yet.  After a Kyle Williams punt fumble in overtime, the Giants just had to place the ball on the field where kicker Lawerence Tynes wanted it from 31 yards and end it — and that’s exactly what happened as the Giants will face the Patriots again circa 2008.  

Prediction: Giants 21, 49ers 17
Reality: Giants 20, 49ers 17

Thanks for reading.
-Todd