Last week the NFL Wildcard games reduced 12 teams down to 8. This weekend reduces the season to the final 4 of them. The National Football League requires no hyperbole. Let’s get down to the games.
New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers–Both of of these teams finished the regular season 13-3, but they are very different teams. Sean Payton has Drew Brees running a high octane offense that is every bit as explosive as the great offenses in NFL history. Jim Harbaugh has turned the losing 49ers around with a suspect quarterback and unimpressive offense. The 49ers have a stifling defense. They win ugly. The cliche is that defense wins championships. Trent Dilfer has a Super Bowl ring. Dan Marino does not. Yet Drew Brees also has one, and last week he threw for 466 yards as the Saints piled up 626 yards of offense.
Brees made it look easy early on, using 6 minutes of clock to move the Saints from their own 20 to a 3rd and 6 at the San Francisco 7. Brees then hit Pierre Thomas, who was on the way to a touchdown when he got blasted by Whitmer at the 2 yard line. The resulting fumble was recovered by Willis as the Saints turned it over in what would be a shockingly common theme in the first half. The hit causing the fumble appeared to be helmet to helmet but was not called. After an exchange of punts, the 49ers took over at their own 46. 2 plays later Alex Smith went deep to Vernon Davis, who broke tackles and coasted for a 49 yard touchdown and a 7-0 49ers lead.
The Saints took over at their own 14. From their 25, Brees was intercepted by Goldson. Goldson returned it 41 yards to give the 49ers 1st and goal at the 4. On 3rd and goal Smith hit Crabtree for the score as the 49ers led 14-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Roby fumbled it, kicked it forward, and rather than fall on it tried to pick it up again. He fumbled again, and the 3rd Saints turnover of the first quarter gave the 49ers the ball at the Saints 13 as the opening quarter ended. The second quarter soon had the 49ers facing 3rd and 4 at the 7, where Smith threw incomplete. David Akers hit the 25 yarder as the 49ers led 17-0.
After a touchback, Brees hit Robert Meachem for 8 and Collins for 8 more. Brees found Colston for 20. Brees hit Sproles for 5 and it was ruled that Sproles fumbled for the 4th Saints turnover. Yet Sean Payton challenged the ruling and it was reversed. Brees then hit Colston for 11, and scrambled for 5. Brees then hit Graham for 7 and again for the 14 yard touchdown to get the Saints within 17-7.
The Saints got it back at their own 34. After offsides, Brees hit Colston for 13. On 3rd and 8 from the Frisco 46, Brees hit Arrington for 14 and Henderson for 7. On 3rd and 3 from the 25, Brees went deep to Colston with a perfect pass to the corner that had the Saints on the board again and only down 17-14. Both teams would have multiple chances in the final 4 minutes of the half, but the defenses held. The 49ers would punt early in the third quarter, and the Saints fumbled it for their 5th turnover. The 49ers took over at the Saints 26 but 3 plays netted only 3 yards. Akers hit from 41 to have the 49ers up 20-14.
The defenses took over after that until the Saints got it back late in the third quarter at their own 34. Brees hit Sproles for 12. Chris Ivory gained 5. Brees hit Devry Henderson for 10 as the fourth quarter began with the Saints at the Frisco 39. Brees hit Colston for 9 and Ivory gained 3. Yet on 3rd and 12 from the Frisco 29, Brees went to the end zone and it bounced off of Colston’s fingertips as the defender arrived. It should have been a touchdown, but instead the Saints settled for a 48 yard Jon Kasay field goal to trail 20-17 with 13 minutes left in regulation. Surprisingly, the 48 yarder was the longest field goal in Saints playoff history.
The teams again exchanged punts and the 49ers took over at their own 36. Frank Gore burst up the middle for a 42 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the 18, a pass was batted around like a pinball and eventually caught for a one yard loss. Akers hit the 37 yarder to put the 49ers up 23-17 midway through the fourth quarter. All game long the defense had bottled up the Saints and prevented the big play. Yet the offense settled for field goals.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 9 from their own 22. Brees calmly hit Henderson for 13 and Colston for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Frisco 45, Sproles got the yard. On the next play Brees found Sproles over the middle, and the speedster split the seams and raced for a 44 yard touchdown. With 4 minutes left the Saints had overcome 5 turnovers and a 17-0 deficit to lead 24-23. Now it was up to the 49ers offense and the Saints defense to decide this game.
After a touchback, Smith hit Hunter for 13. Smith then went deep to Davis, and Davis came down with the bomb for a 37 yard gain. With 3 minutes left the 49ers were at the Saints 30, already in field goal range. Now it would come down to clock management. The Saints took their second timeout with 2:18 left and the 49ers facing 3rd and 3 at the New Orleans 23. A stop would give the Saints hope. A 1st down would let the 49ers take it much further down. At the worst possible time, the 49ers were called for 12 men in the offensive huddle. Now it was 3rd and 8. To make matters worse, the 49ers then burnt their second timeout. What happened next can only be described as stunning.
Smith rolled out, but the idea of a pass play in this situation would be insane. Smith simply kept it, rolled around the end, and raced down the sidelines for a 28 yard touchdown. It was the longest touchdown run by a 49ers quarterback in playoff history. The critical 2 point conversion try was a handoff to Gore, and he got stopped cold. The 49ers led 29-24 with 2:11 left, but the Saints would get the ball back. Everything would come down to the Saints offense vs the 49ers defense. All day Sproles had been bottled up on kickoff returns, and this critical return was no exception. Rather than take a knee, he was caught at the 12 yard line. The Saints had 2:08 to go 88 yards with one timeout and the 2 minute warning.
Brees hit Sproles for 10 yards at the 2 minute warning. A completion to Colston at the sideline went for 12 more. Then the play of the game happened. Brees fired over the middle to Jimmy Graham. Graham split 2 defenders and raced for the end zone. Graham stiff-armed one last defender inside the 10 yard line and carried him into the end zone in front of a shellshocked home crowd. On the 2 point conversion try, Brees hit Sproles. The Saints had the 3 point lead, but now it was New Orleans who may have scored too early. Kyle Williams returned the ensuing kickoff as the 49ers started out at their own 15 with 1:32 to play and one timeout.
Alex Smith was on the verge of being a hero but he could not help the machine that is Drew Brees. Asked to be a hero for the second time in 2 minutes was a tall order. With 44 seconds left the 49ers were still at their own 33. Then this game of miracles added another. Smith found Davis deep for a 47 yard gain with 31 seconds left. A short pass to Gore followed by a spike led to 3rd and 4 at the Saints 14 with 14 seconds left. The 49ers were within chip shot field goal position but Jim Harbaugh put his trust in Alex Smith to go for the win. Smith fired to the end zone. Vernon Davis and defender Roman Harper met at the same time the ball arrived at the goal line and Harper blasted Davis.
Davis caught it and hung on for the touchdown. The 1981 season saw Joe Montana hit Dwight Clark for “The Catch.” The 1998 season saw Steve Young hit Terrell Owens for “The Catch II.” Now Alex Smith and Vernon Davis had “The Catch III.” When Owens made his catch, he cried his eyes out. Announcer John Madden pointed out that anybody who thinks football is only about money has no idea what football is about. Those were not dollar signs coming out of his eyes. Like Owens, Davis was crying his eyes out. He cried all the way to the sidelines where Jim Harbaugh hugged him.
In the 1981 season, the 49ers left almost one minute on the clock. The defense forced a fumble to win. In the 1998 season, the catch came on the final play. This catch by Davis came with 9 seconds left. The Saints would take over at their own 14. Even Brees could not move the Saints 86 yards on one play. The hook and laterals quickly failed, and the 49ers had the win.
Drew Brees threw the ball 63 times. He completed 40 of them for a ridiculous 461 yards. He threw 4 touchdown passes with 2 interceptions. Yet much maligned Alex Smith went 24 of 42 for 299 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Alex Smith was the # 1 pick in the 2005 Draft. He and Vernon Davis were both considered busts as they languished under Mike Singletary. They were both almost cut. Yet Jim Harbaugh came in and turned the team around. The 49ers do have a great defense, but the defense folded under pressure in the same way every other team facing the Saints has. The offense had to go and earn the win, and Alex Smith and Vernon Davis, no matter what happens next, are now a part of 49ers lore forever.
More importantly, they are in the NFC Title Game after winning what is an instant NFL Classic and one of the top playoff finishes of all time. 4 lead changes in the final 3 minutes was how the the guys from out West won. If ever the words of uber-announcer Chris Berman applied, this was it. That’s why they play the games. 36-32 49ers
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots–On paper this is one of the bigest playoff mismatches of all time. Denver at 8-8 backed into the playoffs with 3 straight losses. New England was 13-3. A few weeks ago New England went into Denver, fell behind 16-7, and then throttled Denver 41-23. New England has lost at home in the playoffs the last couple years, and the big storyline is the heart of Tim Tebow vs the history of Tom Brady. Ironically, Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick has a team very suspect on defense. Jon Fox has a tough defense with Von Miller leading the charge. This game comes days away from the 10 year anniversary of the Tuck Rule. So for the Raider Nation, Tim Tebow may be Little Satan but Tom Brady is the Great Satan.
New England exploded out of the gate from their 20 as Brady hit Green-Ellis for 8 and Rob gronkowski for 17 to midfield. Brady then found Anthony Hernandez for a 43 yard gain and Wes Welker for the 7 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 7-0 less than 2 minutes into the game. Tebow would lead the Broncos from their 24 to a 2nd and 9 at the New England 37. Tebow was then sacked and fumbled, as the Patriots took over at their own 41. Brady hit Welker for 8, Hernandez for 9, Gronkowski for 16, and again to Gronkowski for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Patriots.
Denver would punt, and Brady would then get intercepted to give the Broncos a short field at the Ne England 24. On 3rd and 3 Tebow hit Thomas for 12. On the first play of the second quarter, Willis McGahee ran for the 5 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 14-7. Yet an unnecessary roughness penalty on the offense after the score moved the ensuing kickoff back to the 20. After an exchange of punts, New England quickly ended the suspense.
From the New England 48, Brady hit Gronkowski for 9 and Deion Branch for 10. Hernandez ran for 10, and on 3rd and 3 from the 12, Brady went to Gronkowski for the touchdown to make it 21-7 Patriots midway through the second quarter. With 2 1/2 minutes left the game was still manageable although the Patriots had it at their own 28. Woodhead ran for 11 and the Brady went for the kill. A 61 yard touchdown pass to Branch made it 28-7 just before the 2 minute warning.
Denver went 3 and out and a short 33 yard punt had the Patriots at their own 42 with just over one minute left in the half. Brady hit Welker for 8, Hernandez for 20, and Julian Edelman for 19 down to the 11 with 10 seconds left in the half. Brady went to the end zone and found Gronkowski for the touchdown. This game was over at halftime with the Patriots up 35-7. Tebow was a miserable 3 of 10 for 28 yards passing. Brady was 18 of 25 for 246 yards and an interception. Oh, and Brady also had 5 touchdown passes. Yes, this was only in the first half. The 5 touchdowns in the first half was a new NFL record.
The uneventful second half saw Denver quickly go 3 and out and the Patriots take over at the Denver 44. From the 34, Brady hit Welker for half of it and Hernandez for the other half as the Patriots led 42-7 only 3 minutes into the third quarter. Brady tied the NFL record with 6 touchdown passes. Yet in an odd change of pace, Bellichick did everything he could to prevent Brady from getting the record.
Down by 35, a Jon Fox decided to kick a field goal to make it 42-10. On the first play of the fourth quarter from the Denver 32, Brady went deep to Gronkowski for a 28 yard gain. Yet on 1st and goal at the 4, Bellichick called 3 straight runs. On 4th and goal at the 2, Bellichick went with the field goal. With 3 minutes left in the game the Patriots faced 3rd and 10 at their own 42. Brady lined up in the shotgun, and in a bizarre move, Brady became a punter. Bellichick decided to give his quarterback a try at punting. Brady kicked it 48 yards.
Brady finished 26 of 34 for 363 yards and touchdown with 1 interception. Tebow finished 9 of 26 for 136 with 0 touchdowns or interceptions.After the game Tebow looked for Brady, and it seemed Brady deliberately avoided Tebow. The media followed Tebow around the field, and while there could be another explanation, it really appeared that Brady was purposely avoiding Tebow. Either way, the Patriots are at home next week in the AFC Title Game. 45-10 Patriots
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens-This is another game looking like a big mismatch. Earlier this year the 12-4 Ravens belted the 10-6 Texans 29-14. Houston and 3rd string quarterback TJ Yates have shown tremendous heart, and Gary Kubiak has a very impressive offense with running back Arriun Foster and all world wide receiver Andre Johnson. Yet Johnson has been hamstrung literally, with a bad hamstring. That is not the time to go into Baltimore and face the nasty defense of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, and Terrell Suggs. John Harbaugh has seen his team have to do it on the road in past years, and this year the bye week and the home field should be more than enough to get the Ravens to the AFC Title Game.
Houston got the first break of the game when Manning returned the opening kickoff 60 yards to the Baltimore 41. TJ Yates hit Andre Johnson for 11 and 5, and Arriun Foster gained 4. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 21, Foster got stopped cold. On 4th and 1 Gary Jubiak decided to take the points on the road. Neil Rackers hit from 40 and the Texans led 3-0.
From their own 23, Baltimore went 3 and out. Yet again special teams played a role as Houston fumbled the punt. Smith recovered it for the Ravens, who took over at the Houston 2 yard line. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Joe Flacco hit Wilson for the score as the Ravens led 7-3. Houston went 3 and out and a short 35 yard punt had the Ravens starting at their own 40. Ray Rice gained 6 and Flacco hit Anquon Boldin for 21 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the 27, Flacco was sacked and fumbled. However, Baltimore retained possession and Billy Cundiff hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Ravens.
Baltimore would punt again, and Houston would fumble it again. This time they retained possession. From their own 23, Yates was intercepted immediately by Lardarius Webb. The Ravens again had a short field at the Houston 34. On 3rd and 9, Flacco hit Rice for 20 and Boldin for a 10 yard touchdown as the Ravens led 17-3 after the opening quarter. Yet in the second quarter, the possible rout turned into a tight game.
Houston took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 3 Yates hit Foster for 16 as the Texans began the second quarter just shy of midfield. Foster gained 19. On 3rd and 8 from the Baltimore 30, Yates hit Owen Daniels for 17. The drive would stall at the 10, but Rackers would hit a 33 yard field goal to have the Texans within 17-6.
Baltimore went 3 and out and the Texans took over at their own 14. Foster gained 28, and Yates hit Johnson for 12 more. On 3rd and 9 from the Baltimore 45, Yates hit Johnson for 13. Foster gained 14 more. On 3rd and 9 from the 17, Yates hit Foster for 12. Foster gained 4, and on 3rd and goal from the 1, Foster got in. The 12 play, 86 yard, 6 minute drive had the Texans only down 17-13 at halftime. In the third quarter the Ravens punted twice and the Texans once, as Houston took over at their own 22. Yates hit Johnson for 17 and Walter for 19. On 3rd and 6 from the Baltimore 32, Yates threw incomplete. Rackers came in for a 50 yard try to make it a one point game. His kick was dead center, but bounced off the crossbar no good.
After the miss, Baltimore took over at their own 40. Flacco hit Pitta for 16. On 3rd and 5 from the Houston 39, Flacco went to Lee Evans. Evans made a one handed grab with a defender on him for a 30 yard gain. Rice gained 5. On 2nd and goal from the 4 Rice fumbled the handoff. The Ravens retained possessed. On 3rd and goal at the 2 Rice came up just short. John Harbaugh took a timeout and decided to go for it on 4th and goal at the 1. Rice got the carry, and he got blasted. The Ravens are known for a vaunted defense, but Texans Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips has built a fantastic defense of his own in Houston. With 2 minutes left in the third quarter, Houston was backed up at their own goal line. They went 3 and out and Baltimore got it back at midfield. The Ravens began the fourth quarter by wasting the opportunity and going 3 and out.
Midway through the fourth quarter Houston faced 3rd and 12 from their own 48. Yates threw into double coverage and was intercepted by Lardarius Webb. Baltimore took over at their own 29. Flacco found Pitta for 13, Smith for 9, and Boldin for 14. On 2nd and 5 from the Houston 26, Houston took their 1st timeout with 3 minutes left in regulation. Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, rather than force the Texans to use the rest of their timeouts, called consecutive pass plays. Flacco threw incomplete twice. Billy Cundiff would hit the 44 yard field goal but the Ravens had failed to ice the game. They led 20-13, and the Texans got it back at their own 28 with 2:44 to play and 2 timeouts.
Yates went to Johnson for 18 and again for 16 as the Texans had 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 38 at the 2 minute warning. Yates then went deep to Johnson for all the marbles. There was good double coverage, and old man Ed Reed did it again. The interception at the 4 yard line with 1:51 left appeared to end it. The Ravens needed one first down, and were in great shape when Rice gained 9 yards to set up 2nd and 1. Rice got the carry and got the yard. The Ravens were prepared to take a knee and end it. Yet the officials reviewed the spot and reversed it to set up 3rd and 1. The Texans used their final timeout. Vonte Leach got the carry, and he got stopped. The Texans had life. They nearly blocked the punt, and took over at their own 48 with 45 seconds left.
Yates hit Daniels for 9, but 2 more incompletions set up 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 43 with 20 seconds left. Yates scrambled around, and launched the Hail Mary. It was well thrown, and everyone had a shot at it. Yet again it was old man Ed Reed who knocked it down at the last second. Reed hurt himself on the play, and Ray Lewis helped him off of the field. Lewis and Reed are in the twilight of their careers, but they will have a chance to go out on top. It was a typical Ravens game. It was ugly, with just enough offense and a stellar defense. Like the 2000 team, it was good enough to get to the AFC Title Game. 20-13 Ravens
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers–The Packers will be playing this game with heavy hearts due to the tragic death of the son of offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin. Philbin returned to the team and will be coaching in this game. Various coaches from Fred Belitnikoff to Tony Dungy have faced every parent’s nightmare, and the entire NFL family aches for Mr. Philbin. Yet while it is easy to say football is a game, it is also a job for the players, and both teams will be focused for the action on the field with spot in the NFC Title Game at stake.
In 2007 the Giants under Tom Coughlin shocked the world by taking the # 6 seed on the road and running the table. That NFC Title Game saw the 10-6 Giants shock the 13-3 Packers. Brett Favre threw the overtime interception and the Giants won at Lambeau 23-20 en route to winning it all. This time the Giants are 9-7 and the Packers are 15-1. Aaron Rodgers is lighting up the scoreboard. Last year it was the 10-6 Packers who were the hunters as the # 6 seed as they also ran the table. Yet this year they are the hunted. The Giants gave the Packers all they could handle a few weeks go in the Meadowlands, but Green Bay won at the gun 38-35. Forget the storylines about history repeating itself. The Giants have a tenacious defense and Eli Manning has a new offensive playmaker in Victor Cruz. Yet Mike McCarthy has a phenomenal offense that scores at will. McCarthy was the coach when Green Bay lost in 2007, and this time Green Bay should continue their path to a dynasty.
Early on it was the Giants eating up yards and clock. Eli Manning was masterful on 3rd down conversions. On 3rd and 8 from their own 22, Manning hit Mario Manningham for 19 yards and Vicotr Cruz for 17 more. On 3rd and 10 from the Green Bay 42, Manning hit Cruz for 11 and Beckum for 10. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 13, Manning threw incomplete. Lawrence Tynes went from goat to hero in the 2007 season game, and his 31 yarder had the Giants up 3-0 after the 13 play, 78 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive.
Randall Cobb fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Giant recovered. Yet Mike McCarthy challenge the call, and on further review Cobb was down by contact. From the Green Bay 21, Ryan Grant ran for 19. Aaron Rodgers hit Greg Jennings for 10 and Jermaine Finley for 19. The drive stalled from there but Mason Crosby hit from 47 to have the game tied 3-3. The Giants got it back and soon faced 3rd and 11 from their own 19. Manning hit Hakeem Nicks for 15. On the next play Manning went to Nicks, who bounced off a tackler at midfield and outraced the defenders for a 66 yard touchdown to put the Giants up 10-3.
Tynes hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Packers the ball at their own 40. On 3rd and 5 Rodgers gained 6. Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson for 11 and Jennings for 6 more. After an offsides, Rodgers hit Jones for 16 to the 11. On the first play of the second quarter, Rodgers hit Kuhn for the touchdown to tie the game 10-10. Mike McCarthy called for a surprise onsides kick, and it failed. The Giants took over at the Green Bay 41. Manning hit Beckum for 12, but on 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 21 Manning threw incomplete. Tynes came in for the 40 yarder and it was blocked by Jones to keep the game deadlocked 10-10.
Rodgers led the Packers from their 20 to a 3rd and 7 at the Giants 43. Rodgers threw incomplete and the Packers punted. Manning led the Giants from their 20 to a 3rd and 5 at the Packers 34. In long field goal range, Manning went deep and was intercepted. Green Bay took over at their own 25. 3 plays later from their 38, Kuhn fumbled and Antrel Rolle recovered for the Giants. Rolle returned it 9 yards and the Giants took over at the Green Bay 34. Manning hit Nicks for a 29 yard gain to set up 1st and goal at the 5. Ahmad Bradshaw gained 4 but on 2nd and goal at the 1 Brandon Jacobs was blown up for a 4 yard loss. Eli Manning then threw incomplete and again the Giants settled for a 23 yard Tynes field goal and a 13-10 lead with 1:56 left in the half.
After a touchback, Rodgers hit Finley for 14. With 54 seconds left in the half the Pacekrs faced 3rd and 6 at their own 38. Rodgers was sacked for a 5 yard loss and the Giants took their last timeout to get the ball back. The Giants got it back at their own 31 with 41 seconds left. Manning hit Bradshaw for 9 and then threw incomplete with 15 seconds left in the half. Tom Coughlin then surprised Green Bay with a running play, and Bradshaw ran around the end for a 23 yard gain with 6 seconds left. From the Green Bay 37, Coughlin decided against the 55 yard field goal try. Manning threw a Hail Mary to the end zone, and in front of a stunned home field crowd, Nicks came down with it for a miracle touchdown. The Giants led 20-10 at halftime.
Green Bay began the second half from their 20. Rodgers hit Jennings for 14. On 3rd and 10 from their 34, Rodgers scrambled for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Giants 46, Rodgers hit Donald Driver for 16. On 1st and 10 from the Giants 30, Rodgers was sacked and fumbled. The Giants were smelling upset as they took over at their own 37. Yet on 3rd and 2 from their 45, Ware came up one yard short and the Giants punted.
Green Bay soon faced 3rd and 11 from their own 24. Rodgers hit Donald Driver, who willed his way to a 13 yard gain. Rodgers hit Starks for 12 and Starks then ran an end around 29 yards. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the 17, Rodgers threw to the end zone incomplete. Mason Crosby barely snuck a 35 yarder within the right upright as the Packers were within 20-13 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
While the Giants racked up 311 yards of offense in the first half alone, they managed only 24 yards in the third quarter. They would suffer an offensive holding penalty on their first play from scrimmage on the next drive and punt it back. Green Bay took over at their own 24. Rodgers scrambled for 10 as the Packers began the fourth quarter with 2nd and 6 at their own 39. Rodgers hit Nelson for 17. On 3rd and 6 from the Giants 40, Rodgers found a wide open Finley over the middle. It bounced off his fingertips. The receivers were dropping passes all day, including a potential touchdown on the previous drive. Mike McCarthy decided to go for it, and Rodgers was sacked for a 6 yard loss. The Giants took over at their own 45 with 13 minutes left in regulation.
On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 46, Manning hit Mannigham for 8. Defensive holding had the Giants in long field goal range. On 3rd and 5 from the 28, Manning fired over the middle to Cruz for an 11 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the 12, the pocket collapsed and Manning wisely took the sack rather than force a throw into coverage. Tynes again hit the 35 yarder as the Giants led 23-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
Green Bay quickly faced 2nd and 5 at their own 34. Rodgers hit Grant for 10 yards, and Grant was stripped of the ball before he hit the ground. Most of the players stopped as if the play was over but there was no whistle. Blackburn picked it up at the Green Bay 44 and returned it 40 yards to the Packers 4 yard line. Surely the Giants would grind it out. Not this time. Manning fired to the back of the end zone and hit Manningham for the touchdown. The Giants led 30-13 with 7 minutes left as the 15-1 Packers saw their potential dynasty going up in flames.
Green Bay quickly faced 3rd and 10 at their own 24. Rodgers threw incomplete, but a dreadful personal foul call on the defense for a non-existent blow to the head kept the drive going. Osi Umenyiora clearly hit Rodgers in the shoulder, but the play was not reviewable. Rodgers then hit Cobb for 21, scrambled for 16, hit Starks for 8, and found Driver for the 16 yard touchdown. With 5 minutes left the Packers were down 30-20.
The onsides kick was a good one, but after a wild scramble Cruz recovered it at midfield for the Giants. Yet the Giants would soon face 3rd and 11 from their own 49 with 4 1/2 minutes left as the Packers took their second timeout. Another run and punt would give the Packers the slimmest of hope. Instead Manning passed to Cruz for a 17 yard gain. On the next play Bradshaw was trapped in the backfield for a loss, but escaped, got to the sideline, gained 24 yards, and smartly stayed inbounds. Jacobs then lost 4 yards, but on the next play Jacobs got it again and ran around the end untouched for a 14 yard touchdown. With 2 1/2 minutes left, the lights were finally turned out in emphatic fashion.
Since 1993, at least one of the top seeds with home field advantage throughout the playoffs has gone down to defeat almost every year. The lone exception was 2009. The Giants did it the hard way as the # 6 seed in 2007 and ran the table. Then in 2008 as the top seed they were one and done by # 6 seed Philly. In 2010 Green Bay did it the hard way as the # 6 seed running the table. Yet in 2011 as the top seed they were one and done. The 2011 Giants are again trying to do it the hard way.
For all the talk about the Packers, some discussion of the Giants is necessary. Despite the magical 2007 season, some crazy Giants fans wanted to get rid of Tom Coughlin after missing the playoffs in a colossal regular season meltdown last year. Too many organizations act with haste, and the Mara and Tisch families prefer stability an continuity. They kept Coughlin, and have been rewarded for their patience. Also, for those who bought into the hype that the Giants were now the second best team in New York City, think again. Big Blue is still King of the City.
Some will say the Packers came out emotionally flat due to the tragedy in the Philbin family. Some will say that this proves in the rest vs rust argument that players should play all the games down the stretch. This is wrong. Giving the players clipboards is still the right move in that situation. Some will point to the miracle Hail Mary at the end of the half as a deflating moment for the Cheeseheads. Yet the real story of this game is the same one in 2007. The Giants defense simply came at the Packers offense and hit them in the mouth. Defense still wins championships.That’s why they play the games. 37-20 Giants
One week from today the Conference Title Games will be played.
AFC Title Game: Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
12pm PST on CBS
Two years ago Baltimore went into New England in the playoffs and beat the tar out of them. The Patriots want revenge. New England has the offense and Baltimore has the defense.
NFC Title Game: New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers
3:30pm PST on FOX
In the 2002 season, these teams met in San Francisco in the playoffs. The Giants led 38-14 in the third quarter before the 49ers came back and took a 39-38 lead. The Giants had a field goal try to win it on the final play. The snap was fumbled, a pass was thrown incomplete, and the 49ers got away with pass interference in a very bitter and controversial ending. The Giants and 49ers both have tough defenses. Earlier this year in San Francisco the 49ers hung on late for a 27-20 win.
eric