NFL Conference Championships

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Grover

If you score a TD on the first possession, the game ends. If you kick a FG or punt, it becomes sudden death.

Ok thanks. Big whoop, I thought it changed more than that.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Niners might have won if they had a single capable WR.

Truth.

[Grover]

Could ESPN become more insufferable in the next two weeks than it had been during Tebowmania? I say yes.

[k0ruptr]

I'm not a Niner fan, but it makes me sad they lost for some reason

[Young Drachma]

At least the Harbaugh brothers can spend the Super Bowl together as family should - together at home on someone's couch.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, once the Giants figured out you cover Davis and Gore and you shut down the passing game, it didn't look like the Niners could move the ball at all. The playcalling seemed pretty bad down the stretch but realistically when you are playing without a single receiver I'm not sure what you can expect. I am surprised they abandoned the run and the screen game so quickly, Smith in a dropback offense looked pretty bad

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Grover

Could ESPN become more insufferable in the next two weeks than it had been during Tebowmania? I say yes.

Christ, I'm not even going to try and watch ESPN. Save myself some time and just put the David Tyree catch on loop wherever I go instead.

[ColtCrazy]

Hmmm. Well, my gut says the Pats will take this one, but I think it'll be a good game. I was so hoping to walk around Indy sporting an old Harbaugh Colts jersey! Oh well, maybe I'll pick up a cheap Cruz jersey and root for my fantasy team member. That's all I got. East Coast will love this Super Bowl and it'll get ratings because it is the Super Bowl, but how much will west of the Appalachians care about this rematch? The drama the first one had won't be there. Still, it'll be fun to hang around Indy that night.

[BillJasper]

I think the thing that puzzled me was why they didn't replace Williams at PR? It was pretty clear from the get-go that he was an adventure back there.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Yeah, once the Giants figured out you cover Davis and Gore and you shut down the passing game, it didn't look like the Niners could move the ball at all. The playcalling seemed pretty bad down the stretch but realistically when you are playing without a single receiver I'm not sure what you can expect. I am surprised they abandoned the run and the screen game so quickly, Smith in a dropback offense looked pretty bad

The one thing that makes me feel better is that I think the Pats would've had their way with the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Belichek is great at finding your biggest strength and neutralizing it. Trying to watch Crabtree catch a ball while the world is watching would have been nauseating.

[SirFozzie]

So, what's the Super Bowl opening line going to be? I say Pats -4.5

[BillJasper]

That is one ugly ass trophy.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

The one thing that makes me feel better is that I think the Pats would've had their way with the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Belichek is great at finding your biggest strength and neutralizing it. Trying to watch Crabtree catch a ball while the world is watching would have been nauseating.

This is another reason I was hoping for the 49ers.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

I'm not a Niner fan, but it makes me sad they lost for some reason

I kindof was wanting them in the Super Bowl to see the good offense versus a good defense thing (and mediocre offense vs mediocre defense)

SI

[sooner333]

Well, at least I wasn't there like I was in the 97 season against GB. That sucks though.

[k0ruptr]

I'm scaring myself as I'm leaning towards wanting the Pats to win. I swore to myself I'd never root for them in a Superbowl after they beat Carolina. Argh.

[SirFozzie]

Opening Line in Vegas is in: Pats -3

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

I think the thing that puzzled me was why they didn't replace Williams at PR? It was pretty clear from the get-go that he was an adventure back there.

This. I think Carlos Rogers has returned punts before? There must have been somebody else on the team who can fair catch a damn ball. That or you just try an all-out block every single time and tell him if he tries not to fair catch one punt you'll cut him as the first thing you do after the game.

I mean I know nobody wants to accept defeat and PR can be a big part of the game but damn. Just asking for trouble every time it was kicked to him.

[k0ruptr]

I never thought Ted Ginn being out of a game would cost a team so much. Lol wut?

[BillJasper]

So at this point does Coughlin have the Giants job for as long as he wants it?

[Vince, Pt. II]

Sigh. Hard to be angry at Williams, he's the second option for kick returns. And honestly, he may be the best WR the 49ers have. Good lord though, why would you even think about returning the kick? Fair catch or get the hell away, especially after you already muffed one.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Text from my brother in law, a Steelers fan stuck in Baltimore

You know what's better than one whiny, bitchface Harbaugh losing?

I sort of wish they still had the staff of the losing team in the championship games coach the Pro Bowl, so we could still hear more about the Harbaugh Bowl

[sterlingice]

Man, I'd love to go to the Super Bowl but with tickets having 000 at the end of the price, I have to pass.

SI

[AENeuman]

It's a shame this game will be remembered for Williams muffs and not the miserable 3rd down conversions.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Sigh. Hard to be angry at Williams, he's the second option for kick returns. And honestly, he may be the best WR the 49ers have. Good lord though, why would you even think about returning the kick? Fair catch or get the hell away, especially after you already muffed one.

Wow, I didn't realize that was the same guy. Disasterous night for him.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

So at this point does Coughlin have the Giants job for as long as he wants it?

Interesting to think about how much there is a love/hate fest for him and wondering if he is going to keep his job, and yet, he might get his second title and be considered Hall-of-Fame worthy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think there's at least a chance that the Giants give the Patriots a game. I really didn't see any chance of the 49ers doing the same, so this was about as good as it could have turned out as far as the SB goes (once NE won their game).

[Lathum]

Just got everyone out of my house and cleaned up. Wow, what a game. Not the prettiest but in the end Eli made plays and Aex Smith didn't, which is what I thought it would come down to.

Obviously the storyline will be the 2 muffed punts and it should be, but the way Eli continues to hang in there after getting knocked on his ass repeatedly showed some real heart. The niners front 7 is just silly.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think there's at least a chance that the Giants give the Patriots a game. I really didn't see any chance of the 49ers doing the same.

Where does this come from?

The 49ers were 2nd in the league in scoring defense and beat some good teams this year. (Pitt, NO, at Det, Giants)

I really dont understand why people think if the niners had won why the game would have been so lopsided. The 49ers may not have a top offense but IMO they had the best defense in the league this year.

The Giants looked like a complete joke a few times this year atleast the 49ers seemed to bring some energy everytime out athough the Cards loss may be debatable.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Where does this come from?

The 49ers were 2nd in the league in scoring defense and beat some good teams this year. (Pitt, NO, at Det, Giants)

I really dont understand why people think if the niners had won why the game would have been so lopsided. The 49ers may not have a top offense but IMO they had the best defense in the league this year.

The Giants looked like a complete joke a few times this year atleast the 49ers seemed to bring some energy everytime out athough the Cards loss may be debatable.

You should realize by now that Jon does not watch football that is played West of the Mississippi river.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think there's at least a chance that the Giants give the Patriots a game. I really didn't see any chance of the 49ers doing the same, so this was about as good as it could have turned out as far as the SB goes (once NE won their game).

I agree that the Niners would have gotten crushed by the Pats as well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

You should realize by now that Jon does not watch football that is played West of the Mississippi river.

Yeah, especially since I'm the only guy here who has said anything of that sort.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

The one thing that makes me feel better is that I think the Pats would've had their way with the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Belichek is great at finding your biggest strength and neutralizing it. Trying to watch Crabtree catch a ball while the world is watching would have been nauseating.

See, I completely disagree with you here, and call into question your ability to judge players.

Crabtree against Texas, in the biggest game of his life? HUGE PLAYS.

To pick out Crabtree (who admittedly isn't one of my favorite players) for a perceived lack of clutch performance is dubious.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by stevew

I agree that the Niners would have gotten crushed by the Pats as well.

I think you and others may be putting too much into last season and preseason expectations. Being the Steelers fan that you are they were a west coach version of some of your teams. Hardest hitting/hardest working defense in the league this year. I think the Pats would have been favored but I wouldnt have seen the Pats winning by more than a touchdown. It wasnt hard for teams to move the ball on the Pats this year so I think the 49ers could have kept the Pats under 30 and scored 3 tds themselves. I guess it doesnt matter now.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Text from my brother in law, a Steelers fan stuck in Baltimore



I sort of wish they still had the staff of the losing team in the championship games coach the Pro Bowl, so we could still hear more about the Harbaugh Bowl

It's nice to see that you can marry into schadenfreude.

[jbergey22]

Couldnt have asked for two better games on championship Sunday. Finally some clutch defense was played in some games. Dont see much of that anymore.

[Lathum]

I think the niners would have given the Pats a hell of a game.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by stevew

I agree that the Niners would have gotten crushed by the Pats as well.

+1

though I expect NY to as well.
I think Brady and the hoodie will be uber focused on revenge....and given the chance they will challenege the XXIX scoring record.

[k0ruptr]

I also think that the Niners would of given the pats a great game.

[sabotai]

I don't like how the Giant D matches up against the Pats O, but I like how the Giants O matches up against the Pats D. I think it'll be a high(ish) scoring game. Think both get around 30 points and it should be a good game.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

I also think that the Niners would of given the pats a great game.

In seeing how many TDs were scored by TEs.

[k0ruptr]

LOL that was golden

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

See, I completely disagree with you here, and call into question your ability to judge players.

Crabtree against Texas, in the biggest game of his life? HUGE PLAYS.

To pick out Crabtree (who admittedly isn't one of my favorite players) for a perceived lack of clutch performance is dubious.

Thanks for proving my point.

[Jughead Spock]

I'm not a fan of either team, but I can't see how the Giants aren't favored. They've always matched up well defensively, and their offense is better than the 2008 model. Not to mention the Patriots defense isn't exactly a wall. All the respect in the world for Belichick, but I'm seeing the Giants in this one.

[spleen1015]

Grats to the Giants on another Super Bowl victory. Grats to Eli for passing Peyton and now ESPN will push the story that you're better than him because you've played on better teams than him even though we all know that Peyton is the best player to ever play QB in the history of the universe.

History. Remember it. Patriots won't win because history says so!

[molson]

Originally Posted by Grover

Could ESPN become more insufferable in the next two weeks than it had been during Tebowmania? I say yes.

Well, ESPN will probably be covering both teams a lot because they're actually participating in the Super Bowl, I think that's pretty standard, and quite a bit different than consistently covering a bad QB on an average team as the #1 story in all of sports.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Wow, I didn't realize that was the same guy. Disasterous night for him.

Not only that, but earlier he had a punt that must have gotten held up in the wind and he dove to catch it with several guys around him. It was an amazing catch, but damn, he should have let that one go, too.

[Ksyrup]

Everyone is still bitching and moaning about the forward progress call. Am I missing something, or didn't the whistle blow to stop that play? I agree that the play was stopped too soon, but there was nothing they could do to overturn the call since the whistle blew the play dead, right? That was on the ref who stopped the play, not on the replay for failing to overturn it, because I don't think they could have.

[bronconick]

From a neutral point of view, I'm just disappointed that both games ended because of special teams' cockups.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Everyone is still bitching and moaning about the forward progress call. Am I missing something, or didn't the whistle blow to stop that play? I agree that the play was stopped too soon, but there was nothing they could do to overturn the call since the whistle blew the play dead, right? That was on the ref who stopped the play, not on the replay for failing to overturn it, because I don't think they could have.

I'm a Niner fan upset with the call, and I knew it couldn't be reviewed.