http://youtube.com/watch?v=goiWcak1FXg?wmode=Opaque
New York Giants 37, Green Bay 20 – Betterman by Pearl Jam
It feels a little like 2007. It was always known around the league that if there was one team that matched up well against the Packers it was the Giants. The G-Men have the pass rush it takes to slow down the Packers offense and the ground and pound running game to keep Rodgers off the field. On top of that they have an elite quarterback in Eli Manning who has now earned the privilege of no longer being called Peyton’s brother. As I wrote earlier in this season, there is no question Eli is an elite QB.
The Packers had their chances but they couldn’t hold on to the ball, with 3 huge fumbles at critical times of the game. While Rodgers was still solid it seemed he was just off enough to help the Giants get the big upset.
The game seem always within the Packers reach however it was the Giants who were always the team making the plays never taking their foot off the petal. A sweet Hail Mary grab before the half really helped the Giants take full control of the game and they never looked back.
This Giants team is as complete as its gets and are sure to give the 49ers a solid run for their money.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cYbs_O_iMfU?wmode=Opaque
San Francisco 36 New Orleans 32 – RESPECT by Aretha Franklin
Alex Smith has 100% earned some respect. While he had a very solid season as a game manager, his transition to legit quarterback as helped by coach of the year candidate Jim Harbaugh is basically complete. When you outperform and outduel Drew Brees, you have earned my respect.
It was a weird game from the start for the Saints as it seemed despite the handful of mistakes you always felt they were one play away from pulling away and taking over the game. Well that never happened. The Saints however were left with less than 2 minutes left on the clock and you knew it was only a matter of time till Drew Brees took over. Well everyone’s thoughts came to life and Brees led the Saints down the field on a deep strike to the stud tight end from the U, Jimmy Graham.
BUT… there was still time on the clock left for Alex Smith and this ain’t the same Alex Smith. Smith connected with Vernon Davis in the end zone to wrap up a beautiful game winning drive earning the 49ers the upset and a home game for the NFC Championship game.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY?wmode=Opaque
New England 45, Denver 10 – It’s The End Of The World As We Know It by R.E.M
Well the fun has come to the end. In the end it was Tom Brady all day! Brady had 5 touchdowns at halftime as he showed everyone how the quarterback position should be played, picking apart the entire Broncos defense.
Tebow’s luck or faith or whatever you would like to call it fell way short this week. Not even the great Tebow was able to overcome Brady and the Patroits.
This was probably the lamest game of the weekend as it never was close and was simply a Tom Brady + BB classic massacre.
Next week will be the true test to see if New England really is the class of the AFC.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KNxQDlORwbI?wmode=Opaque
Baltimore 20 Houston 13 – Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix
This was the only real match up that involved much defense, and it was the team lead by #52 that came up on top. In what could very well be Ray Lewis’s last Super Bowl run he did not disappoint, making a couple of key tackles and leading his defense to a strong enough performance to take out the Texans.
This might have been a different game had Matt Schaub been playing as the Texans run game was able to dominate (Arian Foster is the best running back in the NFL for my money) but it was rookie TJ Yates, who chose a bad time to look like a rookie.
While it will still probably be considered a successful season for Houston, one has to think what could or might have been had they been healthy.
The Ravens are in a tough situation next week as they will have to go to New England and beat Tom Brady at home.
