CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

So, here we are, knocking on the door to Championship Sunday. Depending on the outcome of this week’s games, it could be a brother v. brother showdown in the Super Bowl. It was a pretty thrilling weekend for two of the games while the others provided not a lot of drama. As far as New England-Houston, sure the Texans played much better than their previous outing in Foxboro, but there wasn’t much doubt about the outcome after the first quarter. Brady systematically picked apart the Texans’ defense and the offense received great performances from Ridley, Vereen and Welker. The only down side to this was Gronk’s injury early in the game that put him out for the remainder of the playoffs. In San Francisco, Colin Kaepernick and the ‘Niners offense had a big day against the Packers and the ‘Niners’ defense made all of the key stops keeping Aaron Rodgers in check.

Then there were two thrillers. On Saturday in Denver, the Ravens were gassed late in the game yet continued to persevere and came away with a 38-35 win in double overtime. That sort of performance speaks volumes about the Ravens’ dedication moving forward. In Atlanta, the Falcons though they were cruising to an easy win when Russell Wilson led the Seahawks back to take the lead with less than a minute to go. Matt Ryan took Atlanta’s offense back down field where Matt Bryant eventually kicked the winning field goal. The biggest blunder of the game didn’t occur on the field but on the sideline where Pete Carroll called time out just as Bryant lined up for the field goal. Bryant’s attempt went wide right and the Seahawks should’ve won the game but because Carroll foolishly attempted to “ice” Bryant, he cost his team the game as Bryant’s second kick went through the uprights, and Carroll cost his team a chance to go for the NFC Championship.

Turning now to Sunday’s games:

San Francisco

-3.5

At Atlanta

48.5

It’s unusual when the superior team has to play on the road in the playoffs, but the 49’ers are the best team in football and will send Atlanta and Matty Ice down in flames at the conclusion of this contest. After torching Green Bay at home last week, it appears as if the ‘Niners are invincible on both sides of the ball. Jim Harbaugh’s decision to replace Alex Smith with Kaepernick was a stroke of genius. Kaepernick can do things with the football that Smith could only dream of, as evidenced by his long touchdown run against the Packers. Atlanta had a disturbing performance last week against Seattle, blowing a three touchdown lead. They were lucky that the Seahawks gave them time on the clock after posting the go-ahead touchdown. Ryan then made the necessary throws to set up the game-winning field goal. The Seahawks exposed huge holes in Atlanta’s pass defense that Kaepernick will surely exploit. With a 27-7 lead, the Falcons put it in cruise control rather than fighting for the full 60. This is not how championship caliber teams perform. The ‘Niners are the most balanced team on offense and rock tough on defense. They are one step away from an inevitable Super Bowl berth and will take this opportunity to crush Atlanta before throwing down the gauntlet to the AFC Champion Ravens.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 27, Atlanta 17

At New England

-9.5

Baltimore

51

Football fans should look at the 9 ½ with scorn. Only fools would jump on that. The chances of the Patriots covering that big a spread are slim and none, so why not make it a respectable 3 or 3 1/2? Simply put, the evidence indicates that the Patriots do not line up well against the Ravens. They Pats were smoked 33-14 at home three years ago, barely won last year and gave up over 500 yards of offense in Week 3. The Ravens are coming to Foxboro with revenge on their minds after Billy Cundiff’s game tying field goal went awry last January. In Week 3, the Ravens bested New England 31-30 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Joe  Flacco had an easy time, picking apart the secondary and linebackers with his  short to mid-range  passing game. He passed for nearly 400 yards. And Ray Rice rushed for over 100. The Patriots could do little to stop the Ravens’ offense. Why should things be any different this time around? On defense, Lewis and Suggs are banged up but will play. His In this final chapter of Lewis’ playing career, he is performing like a man spiritually on fire. His intensity can only stoke the fires to the max. Ed Reed, Ngata and Krueger are all performing at peak efficiency. Adding all of these elements together spells a potential disaster in the making for New England. The Patriots hung 41 points on the board against Houston but the game was by no means a “laugher” (as was categorized by some astute members of the fourth estate).  The tandem of Ridley and Vereen had a big afternoon last week, but its hard to see them gaining much traction against the Ravens’ front seven. Tommy Boy has to be a little bit sharper with his aim this week as a number of his passes intended for Welker last week went awry. The only factor going New England’s way is Belichick. Historically, the Patriots have played opponents much better the second time around in a season than the first. The Patriots will be prepared and not quaking in their boots. The problem is that the Ravens are on a big-time roll and performing well on both sides of the ball.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 31, New England 24

Look for the Harbaugh Brothers to hook up in Super Bowl 47.