I was wrong about the New York Giants last week and I won't make that mistake again. They outhit, outplayed and outscored the Packers to earn their way to this spot. The Giants are showing its more
importantly to be playing well at the right time than the whole time. Eli Manning has proved that he is a better playoff quarterback than his brother Peyton. It's actually not even close. Now he has
a chance to go ahead and surpass his big brother's Super Bowl total in the town he helped build, Indianapolis. All that stands in Eli's way this week is the 49ers.
Don't think for a moment that I dismiss San Francisco's chances to win this game and Harbaugh it all the way to the NFC Championship. Somehow they gave up almost 500 yards and 32 points to the Saints but still appeared like they played dominant defense., Alex Smith played like a first overall draft pick (ironically he was a 1st overall draft pick) and their head coach acts like he's been there before (even though he's a rookie).
I know to Giants fans I come across at times as a bitter Eagles fan, which I am. But while it crushes me to see New York on it's way to another Super Bowl I can appreciate the way they play. Tom Coughlin has somehow become one of the great road playoff head coaches in the history of the NFL. He's doing it with former Bills coordinators on both sides of the ball, Kevin Gilbride and
Perry Fewell. Tell me Sunday doesn't seem like a game this Giants team wins? The Giants have the QB and the defensive line pressure to beat anyone and that includes Alex Smith and the Niners.
NFC Title Game: Giants 27 49ers 20
Poor Joe Flacco. Not only do fans around the league, including a ton of Ravens fans, think he needs to step up, but now his own star safety calls him out. I am amazed how many people have given
Ed Reed a pass on this. Let me say I rival Bill Belichick in my affection for Reed as a player in the NFL. Belichick thinks Reed is the best free safety to play since the Genius has been in the league. I agree.
Reed is great and has that tremendous knack to find the football. But he has no business criticizing his own quarterback before the biggest game of the season. Maybe Reed thinks this will be a
motivator, but I think it just adds pressure.
On the other side Tom Brady has never played better in his career. What he did to a good Denver defense was obscene. While most team's in the league throw the ball to fast wide outs and smooth
running backs, Brady and company make it work with an un-guardable tight end (Gronk) and an un-guardable slot guy (Welker). Brady's wideouts are guys you drafted in your fantasy league five years ago.
Did I mention they don;t really run the ball? Yes somehow they look like they can drive down the field and score against anyone at any time. The Ravens defense is still good, but this is not 2001. Ray Lewis
still yells and screams like a much younger and better player, but he's much closer to the TV booth than he let's anyone know.
AFC Title Game: Patriots 23 Ravens 17
I am picking a Super Bowl rematch from 2007. That was my least enjoyable Super Bowl because it got me so messed up I actually rooted for the GIANTS to win it all. Again, sounding like the bitter
Eagles fan that I am. Let's see what happened Sunday. Maybe I will get lucky and be wrong and it will end up as the Har-Bowl.
MCatalana@13wham.com
