The NFL Championship Games

Sometimes football games are won, and sometimes they’re lost. Sunday we saw two games lost.

That’s not to take anything away from the winning teams. You have to be in the game to take advantage of the breaks when they come.

First it was the Ravens, trailing the Patriots by 23-20, driving in the final seconds of the AFC Championship game. Joe Flacco put the ball into the hands of wide receiver Lee Evans in the end zone for what could have been the winning touchdown only to see the ball stripped by Patriots defender Sterling Moore. Two plays later kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32 yard field that could have sent the game into overtime.

The missed field goal was actually on coach John Harbaugh. Rather than calling time out in order to give the field goal team time to set up, the whole play was rushed. It was obvious watching that Cundiff wasn’t ready to kick the ball and the result was he missed. End of game, the Ravens go home and the Patriots go to Indianapolis.

A rain drenched, old fashioned, smash mouth defensive battle in San Francisco followed. In a game that made it feel like the 1980s, the 49er’s and Giant renewed a rivalry from two decades ago. The 49er’s defense dominated the second half. Eli Manning spent more time on the ground than standing up as the Niners sacked him six times and seemed to knock him down on every play.

But Eli and the Giants soldiered on.

Finally, with the 49er’s leading 14-10, a punt bounced off of punt returner Kyle Williams knee and was picked up by Devin Thomas. The bounce was missed by the refs and Tom Coughlin had to challenge. Amazingly they got it right after review and a few plays later Manning hit Mario Manningham to give the Giants a 17-14 lead. The Niners tied it at 17-17 and then began the punting duel.

Neither team could score and the game went into overtime.

The punting duel continued until Jacquian Williams managed to strip the ball from punt returner Kyle Williams and Devin Thomas was Johnny on the spot again to set up the Giants at the 49er’s 29 yard line. A couple of snaps later Lawrence Tynes kicked the Giants into the Super Bowl for the second time in OT with a 31 yard field goal.

You have to feel sorry for Kyle Williams. He wasn’t even the 49er’s regular punt returner and to have to return punts in the cold, windy and rainy Candlestick Park was a tough assignment. I was really impressed with the 49er’s defense. They should come into next season with a chip on their shoulders about a mile wide. I’m betting on them now to be in Super Bowl XLVII.

So the Giants leave behind another stadium full of broken dreams and head for a rematch with the Patriots in Eli’s brother Payton’s home field in Indianapolis. The Patriots can get revenge for Super Bowl XLII or the Giants can frustrate the Patriots again. I’m not even going to try and analyze this one since I clearly suck at it finishing a dismal 4-6 for the Play-offs. Besides, the NFL has clearly succeeded in making the games about as unpredictable as possible. You might as well flip a coin.

As a Giant’s season ticket holder, and by winning a lottery, I have the opportunity to buy two tickers to Super Bowl XLVI at $900 each. I almost choked when I saw the price. And that doesn’t include getting to and staying in Indianapolis.

With the understanding that this will mostly likely be my last chance to attend a Super Bowl, I’m thinking about it. Maybe if the game was in a warm venue I might be tempted. But Indianapolis?

Practicality will probably win and I’ll pass. I may try to sell the tickets but I’m wondering if it’s worth the effort. More to follow on this I’m sure.