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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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    Miguel 01-14-2013 07:57 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.170 (total posts: 1)
    12     5

    Walt:
    You don't have to look for candidates for the Jerks of the Week column elswhere. Take a look to your mirror!
    0-4 makes you the obvious candidate this week.

    Atwood 01-14-2013 02:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.57 (total posts: 1)
    4     6

    Jo you are very ignorant if you think that John Fox would've let Peyton run that last play. Fox is the most conservative coach in the NFL Do you really think that Payton wanted to knee the ball then go to halftime and end the game into overtime? John Fox lost the game for Denver not anybody else
    jo 01-14-2013 12:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.200 (total posts: 6)
    18     5

    peyton manning was avg. at best. when denver was trying to run out clock and 3rd and 7 y run it? u no peyton woulda been wanted to pass and fox wouldnt have said no so im guessing that peyton had no confidence. a 1st down seals it
    #1 Seahawk Fan in NJ 01-14-2013 12:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 6)
    35     6

    How about the other great commentary moments?

    A 16 point lead is a 3 score game

    Later, if Seattle kicks a field goal to get it to within 17 points - they will only be down by two scores

    The best was - the final Seahawk drive - suggesting they kick a field goal with 45 seconds left and try an onside kick
    Can anybody decipher this? 01-14-2013 11:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1)
    21     6

    NFL Picks (Week 19, 2012): 0-4 (-$550)

    NFL Picks (2012): 128-145-7 (-$5,910)
    Aj 01-14-2013 11:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx41.2 (total posts: 1)
    175     205

    I am going to thumbs up my own comment
    Tom Brady 01-14-2013 10:41 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 2)
    54     16

    Looking forward to your excuses & bad picks next week Walt.

    Oh & Baltimore, it's payback time.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzQuArTJfIQ

    No replacement refs are gonna save you this time!
    Fading Walt 01-14-2013 09:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx.253 (total posts: 1)
    15     6

    7-1 picking against Walt. I LOVE YOU WALT!
    Rodrigo 01-14-2013 07:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.178 (total posts: 1)
    23     6

    Peyton Manning played amazing until his second interception? What game were you watching? He led the offense to 21 points and his 3 turnovers turned into 17 points for the Ravens. Had he been "amazing" before the pick, the game wouldn't even have gone into overtime.
    Hmmm 01-14-2013 04:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.20 (total posts: 6)
    113     6

    I wonder if John Fox was watching when the Falcons managed to get in FG range with only 30 secs to play with to win the game...
    JC 01-13-2013 11:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.57 (total posts: 2)
    7     6

    Missed FG opps for Seattle I guess are easy to second guess, but the feel of the game at the time I understood the urgency. It's not like you can predict a team overcoming a 20 point 4th quarter deficit to where those issues mattered. I think Lynch took himself out do to the foot injury on the 3rd and 4th & 1 downs that failed, and on the last plays of the half, I thought Wilson should have spiked it and saved that timeout. The pressure happened so fast he couldn't get rid of the ball, that's why you save a timeout even giving up a down. Not having Clemons or Jason Jones for an already weak road pass rush group was the big difference. A half dozen 30-50 yard bombs on a dime can't always be broken up by Sherman
    Baker 01-13-2013 09:36 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.66 (total posts: 1)
    72     65

    We may see more officiating go Baltimore's way in the AFC title game. The league is losing one of it's media darlings in Ray Lewis and I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying some backroom dealings to send him off on a high note.
    NBA Officials? 01-13-2013 07:33 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1)
    107     52

    The only call that went Denver's way was the illegal hands to the face, but it wasn't even a fumble anyway. I actually thought that the no tuck rule call was correct, however, that play never would have happened had the refs not called the worst holding penalty I've ever seen on 3rd and 1. There was definitely something going on in that game.
    Again 01-13-2013 04:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.27 (total posts: 2)
    94     5

    Walter cries buckets and makes sure we never forget any special teams touchdowns go against his picks. When the Broncos lose, he complains about the officiating and completely ignores the fact that they were only in that game because of TWO special teams TDs...
    Ken Snizzlefist 01-13-2013 02:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.171 (total posts: 1)
    128     4

    I don't know why I keep coming here...habit I guess. The only thing worse than the picks are the terrible and whiny excuses.

    The jokes used to be funny but at this point Walt is trying way to hard. Does ANYONE actually read them anymore? Seriously. It's usually one paragraph of analysis and a half a page of lame and tired jokes.

    At least the mock drafts are still pretty good.


    2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 17


    Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 16


    2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 15


    2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3


    NFL Picks - Feb. 3








    2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
    2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
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    2012 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
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    2012 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 7
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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 17 Recap - Jan. 2
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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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    2010 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 3
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    Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6


    2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
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    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
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    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
    NFL Week 19 Wrap-Up - Jan. 13
    2008 Championship Sunday Diary - Jan. 20
    Super Bowl XLII Live Blog - Feb. 3


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