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Week 20 NFL Game Recaps



Patriots 23, Ravens 20

  • How do you miss a 32-yard field goal? Billy Cundiff was paid $2.2 million this year. It's simply inexcusable that he couldn't convert a routine kick to send this game to overtime. He can't be allowed back to this team. Not after this.

    Of course, Cundiff shouldn't have been in that position anyway because Joe Flacco threw a game-winning touchdown to Lee Evans two plays earlier. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Evans couldn't hang on to the football, as Sterling Moore, who was on the practice squad earlier in the year, knocked the ball out of his hands. Moore saved the season for Tom Brady, who has now tied John Elway for most Super Bowl appearances (5) and Joe Montana for most playoff victories (16). If Brady wins in two weeks, it's an easy argument to say that he's the best quarterback in NFL history.

  • Brady didn't play like the best quarterback in NFL history in this contest, however. He finished 22-of-36 for 239 yards, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions. He was just off. The picks weren't really his fault because they were just great plays by the Baltimore defense (the second, which Bernard Pollard tipped to Jimmy Smith in the end zone, is the best interception I've ever seen), but Brady missed some routine throws, including one where he had Rob Gronkowski open in the end zone.

    Brady will obviously need to play better in the Super Bowl because his defense isn't good enough to carry the team. If Moore doesn't knock the ball out of Evans' hands, the Patriots would have surrendered a game-winning drive to Joe freaking Flacco. That says it all.

  • Speaking of Flacco, he was pretty brutal early on, but got into a rhythm in the second and third quarters just when it looked like he wouldn't be able to get a first down. Flacco finished 22-of-36 for 306 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He scrambled smartly when needed (4-27) and made some really nice throws, though New England's putrid defense made it pretty easy for him. Unfortunately, the pick was awful, as it was heaved right to Brandon Spikes with 7:30 remaining in regulation in Patriots' territory.

    Flacco deserves a ton of credit for this near-victory because he was handicapped by Cam Cameron's atrocious play-calling. Cameron decided to run the ball on first down on the opening three drives, putting Flacco in second-and-long each time. The Ravens consequently had to punt on all three occasions.

    Cameron's play-calling would improve, but he really screwed up on the penultimate drive of the fourth quarter. He had Ray Rice run a draw on 3rd-and-3 on the New England 30 - a down in which the Ravens couldn't lose yardage no matter what. Rice was tackled three yards behind the line of scrimmage, forcing Baltimore to go for it on 4th-and-6. Flacco would throw incomplete because of pressure.

    If I'm Cameron, I'm sending Cundiff a gift basket (and perhaps a suitcase full of money) because if the kicker doesn't whiff on that field goal, Cameron would have been the easy scapegoat.

  • There was one seemingly critical injury in this contest, and that was to Gronkowski. The big tight end injured his ankle and had to be helped into the locker room. He would eventually return, so that bodes well for his chances to play in two weeks. The Gronk led the team with 87 receiving yards (5 catches). Both Aaron Hernandez (7-66) and Wes Welker (6-53) had more receptions.

  • BenJarvus Green-Ellis was the lone Patriot skill-position player to find the end zone. The Law Firm was a monster, bulldozing the Baltimore defense for 68 yards on just 15 carries. He was so impressive that I joked, "Green-Ellis is the second coming of Walter Payton!" in the Live In-Games Thread on the forum.

  • Green-Ellis amazingly edged out Rice by a single yard. Rice dashed for 67 yards on 21 carries. He had just one reception for 11 more yards, which makes you wonder why he wasn't a bigger factor in the aerial attack.

  • Anquan Boldin had a second-consecutive solid performance, hauling in six grabs for 101 yards. Torrey Smith (3-82) and Dennis Pitta (5-41) both found the end zone. Smith could have had a much greater performance, as he was open twice for deep balls, but Flacco overthrew him on both occasions.

    Ed Dickson, meanwhile, really struggled. He had a big drop and was guilty of a crucial false start in the fourth quarter.

  • Congratulations to the Patriots for advancing to Super Bowl XLVI. I'm rooting for Bob Kraft because of his wife's passing earlier this year. However, I have to criticize him for one thing. He needs to shell out more money for the national anthem performer. Yes, the homeless woman poured her heart and soul into singing the Star-Spangled Banner, but Kraft needs to get a musician who doesn't live in a cardboard box next time.





    Giants 20, 49ers 17

  • Cam Cameron obtained Ten Ginn with the ninth-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, a selection that was viewed at the time as a major reach. Who would have thought that four-and-a-half years later, Cameron would be one of the scapegoats for one championship game loss, while Ginn's absence would be the reason for another championship defeat?

    Seriously, how big was Ginn's knee injury? If he's in the game, the 49ers don't muff a punt and fumble a return in overtime. You really have to feel for Kyle Williams. Unlike Billy Cundiff, Williams' main job isn't returning punts. He was in the game because Ginn was hurt. That doesn't excuse his two crucial mistakes that led to 10 New York points, but if you're comparing Williams to Cundiff, it's no contest. The kicker was more responsible.

  • This was a dead-even game otherwise. The total yardage was 319-319 at the end of regulation, and both squads would have been worthy NFC champions. The reason I picked the Giants, however, was that an even matchup like this would go to the team with the better quarterback. And Eli Manning was unquestionably the superior signal-caller.

    Manning went 32-of-58 for 316 yards and two touchdowns. That's an impressive stat line considering the immense pressure he was under. He seldom had time in the pocket and took six sacks (2.5 from Ray McDonald). San Francisco's defense definitely came to play.

    As for Alex Smith, he was 12-of-26 for 196 yards and two scores. He made a couple of great throws to Vernon Davis, but two things stick out to me. First, he had an open Kyle Williams downfield for a long touchdown in the second quarter, but overthrew him by about five yards. Second, Smith couldn't convert a third down to save his life. He was 1-of-13 in those situations, with the only positive result coming right at the very end of regulation when the Giants allowed him to complete a pass well short of the end zone.

    I don't want you to think that Smith is a lost cause or anything. He made great strides this year, and it wouldn't be fair to dismiss him because of this loss, especially after his late-game heroics versus New Orleans. He deserves a chance with more than one weapon to throw to. Vernon Davis was a monster again (3-112, 2 TDs), but no other Niner receiver or tight end did anything. Michael Crabtree caught one ball for three years yards.

  • Frank Gore had a really nice game. He rushed for 74 yards on just 16 carries, and chipped in with six catches for 45 receiving yards. Remember when I said this contest was evenly played? Well, Ahmad Bradshaw had the same amount of rushing yards and receptions (20-74; 6-52).

  • The star for the Giants was Victor Cruz, who had a whopping 10 grabs for 142 yards. All of his work came early though, and he didn't get a single reception in about 10 of the final drives. Hakeem Nicks (5-55) also played well, while Mario Manningham (1-17) and Bear Pascoe (1-6) caught Manning's touchdowns.



    My playoff 2011 NFL Power Rankings, will be posted Monday morning.

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    bitterjetsfan 12-19-2011 04:26 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.94 (total posts: 1)
    20     28

    I hope that Tanny gets taken to task for the piss poor state that he has left the Jets OL in this season.
    Joe Flacco is a bum 12-19-2011 11:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx.151 (total posts: 1)
    26     16

    J Flack nearly sabotaged EVERYTHING for me. I dont have him but because he sucks, my Ray Rice didnt get a chance for handoffs and San Diego didn't have to pass the ball that often to my Vincent Jackson. Antonio Brown vs. Mike Wallace. How will it end?!
    Carlos 12-19-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.50 (total posts: 1)
    44     42

    brees/saints are better than rodgers/packers without greg jennings...
    Jesse 12-19-2011 10:19 am xxx.xxx.xxx11.8 (total posts: 1)
    487     355

    Walter you obviously don't watch the games. You just read off the drive charts on some other website and put it on yours.
    Steve 12-19-2011 05:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx35.7 (total posts: 1)
    14     38

    Complete redesign to the site! Viewing all NFL Picks under one tab now! College bowl picks being added...head to www.BlairHattonPicks.com
    chuckster 12-16-2011 07:27 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.200 (total posts: 4)
    16     15

    @Walter: Great call on the Falcons game. I couldn't pull the trigger even when the birds were -11. Put them in first level of a 5 team 14 point teaser. 4 more to go!! Good luck to all going forward.
    klunge 12-16-2011 10:31 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.19 (total posts: 2)
    32     21

    Thank you Roddy White! You picked a great time to start realizing your potential. (That's not sarcasm) I squeaked into my playoffs as a wild card because my high picks like Roddy tanked the first half but picked it up just in time the second half. Keep it up!!!
    To better odds 12-16-2011 03:56 am xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 3)
    20     15

    So He doesn't go off of current records when he does his mock draft. He does it by power rankings. so if the Bucs are higher in the power rankings then they draft later. Look at his power rankings, they are above the Panthers still
    Elisabeth constantine 12-14-2011 08:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.122 (total posts: 3)
    31     14

    Better Odds 12-13-2011 05:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1)
    63     113

    I'm gonna post this here because I think it a better chance for you to see this post, Walt. A slight note for your Mock Drafts, the Panthers beat the Bucs. They currently have the same record so that puts the Bucs picking ahead of the Panthers. Might want to change your draft order.
    Pete 12-13-2011 04:23 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.85 (total posts: 2)
    23     23

    Where's our monday night recap?

    I'd like to see some discussion of BEAST MODE.
    Bone 12-13-2011 10:36 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.34 (total posts: 1)
    20     16

    Week 15:

    Phillip Rivers at home vs. Baltimore (TU) or Cam Newton vs. a stingy Houston D in Texas (TD). THANKS!
    brady 12-13-2011 02:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx.217 (total posts: 1)
    20     15

    yo guys, what do you think for week 15-

    Ryan Matthews v Baltimore run def... (TU)

    Donald Brown v Tennessee run def... (TD)

    appreciate any input thx.

    PEACE
    BEASTMODE! 12-13-2011 01:07 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.31 (total posts: 1)
    2238     65

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    MatGee 12-12-2011 10:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.227 (total posts: 2)
    12     12

    There is something terribly wrong with the training of NFL officials. Week after week I see game changing calls and non calls in spite of the number of them right on the field. Perhaps it's time to have overhead cameras and a single official with the ability to see multiple views of all plays, as silly as that sounds. Seriously though the refereeing is simply too inconsistent and even sometimes suspect as well. Walt, you say you want nothing more to do with college ball but I am considering the same with the entire NFL.


    2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 23


    2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22


    2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


    Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


    NFL Picks - Feb. 3








    2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
    2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
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    Super Bowl XLVII Recap - Feb. 4
    Super Bowl XLVII Live Blog - Feb. 4


    2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
    2011 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
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    2011 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 19
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    2011 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
    2011 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 9
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    2011 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 23
    Super Bowl XLVI Live Blog - Feb. 6


    2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
    2010 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 8
    2010 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 9
    2010 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 13
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    Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6


    2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
    2009 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 10
    2009 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 10
    2009 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 14
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    Super Bowl XLIV Live Blog - Feb. 7


    2008: Live 2008 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
    2008 NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 4
    NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 8
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    NFL Wild Card Playoffs Review - Jan. 4
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    NFL Championship Sunday Review - Jan. 19
    Super Bowl XLIII Live Blog


    2007: NFL Draft: Day 1 Review Blog - April 28
    Quarterback Rankings - June 25
    NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 6
    Chief Carl Has Lost a Step - Sept. 9
    The NFL Cheated the Patriots - Sept. 16
    NFL Week 3 Wrap-Up - Sept. 23
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    NFL Week 18 Wrap-Up - Jan. 6
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    2008 Championship Sunday Diary - Jan. 20
    Super Bowl XLII Live Blog - Feb. 3

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