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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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    Bronson 11-18-2011 06:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 3)
    30     18

    Sure, Tebow sucks but you can't argue with results. He plays like crap for 95% of the game but to his credit he doesn't turn the ball over and comes through in the clutch. His future may not be at QB but I'm content watching his atrocious QB play/late game heroics until the magic wears off.
    masaba 11-18-2011 04:24 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.169 (total posts: 1)
    27     17

    From my vantage point, the Denver defense win this game. Great final drive by Tebow, but he didn't do much until then, whereas the D played lights out all game.

    I'm not a Tebow hater, just like to see credit where it is due.
    KS 11-18-2011 01:48 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.202 (total posts: 1)
    32     18

    I would like to point out that you correctly picked both Denver to cover and the under. Pretty sure those guys at waltersucks had you in the Walter's Falters for your picks (they had the Jets and the over). Quite amazing that it looks like it has disappeared from that section though...maybe you should have a Walter's Falters Falters section?
    EDward 11-18-2011 12:45 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.175 (total posts: 2)
    20     19

    How much fun was that? Seeing "Fat Pig twin Rex's" defense look stupid is great any time but especially when Tebow runs right around Revis and Butthead when everybody knows that's exactly what he's going to do when you blitz him...GREAT!
    Lucas 11-18-2011 12:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.42 (total posts: 1)
    86     27

    Hey Walt, are we going to get a retraction or something from you regarding Von Miller?

    To quote you:

    "However, he won't be nearly as effective as he would have been in a 3-4."

    From your draft blog:

    "And I never said Von Miller can't play in a 4-3. He absolutely can. It's just that his pass-rushing talents will be wasted in the 4-3, and he won't be as effective as he would in the 3-4."

    4-3 in Denver and Von Miller has 9.5 sacks through 10 games. He seems just as effective as in the 4-3 as he would be in the 3-4. Looks like you owe Foxy an apology.
    Matt 11-18-2011 10:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.43 (total posts: 4)
    18     54

    Remember when people were saying Ordinary Orton gave them the best chance to win? lol. That was cute.
    ben 11-18-2011 10:30 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.32 (total posts: 1)
    31     13

    denvers defence has been playing lights out. John Fox got his guy in vonn miller. 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble, thats a stat line that wins you games and he does this every week. Its going to be scary how good miller is going to be in 5 years.
    Atyamomshouse 11-18-2011 05:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx5.96 (total posts: 1)
    27     17

    damn walt...tebow's nuts must be fun to ride because YOUR ALWAYS ON THEM....
    everyone who knows football 11-18-2011 04:01 am xxx.xxx.xxx.218 (total posts: 1)
    30     32

    walt ur losing it buddy, no wonder your picks are so bad, von miller and sanchez won this game for denver
    Props to Denver's Defense 11-18-2011 03:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 11)
    30     21

    Here's a novel idea. How about we give credit to the guys who really won the game for Denver? The entire defense deserves a round of applause. They dominated Sanchez in the second half (not that it's difficult to do) and scored as many TD's for the Broncos as Tebow and the offense did.
    NB4 Tebow Obsession 11-18-2011 03:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 11)
    37     27

    And pray for him? He needs it? Really?

    Why does he need people to pray for him? He's playing in the NFL making lots of money. He's living his dream. Is the legit criticism to much for him to take? Is he thin skinned to the point that people saying bad things about his game is giving him a complex?

    Now if he were fueled by prayer like some Super Jesus Robot then that'd be a reason to pray for him. In fact that'd make him awesome. I'd be a Super Robot Tebow jersey.
    NB4 Tebow Obsession 11-18-2011 03:34 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 11)
    31     28

    I just got to laugh at the Tebow Defense Force. How dare people expect their QB to complete over 50% of his passes and throw for over 120 yards, HATER!

    Most peoples problem with Tebow is that he's a mediocre QB who's more or less a less accurate Vince Young without the character concerns. It's an extremely small minority who dislike him as a person.

    This hater thing is a non-exsistent boogyman created so that Tebow defenders can shout down legitimate criticism of Tebow's game without actually needing to defend him.

    I usually like Walt's anlaysis, but he'll reach to make excuses for players he likes. That's the only explanation for this conspiricy theory he's come up with. If Fox was trying to make Tebow fail then why would he blow up his offense, when he's notorious FOR NOT changing his system to suit his players, and go to an option attack that hides Tebow's flaws?
    NYBigBlue 11-18-2011 03:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx.170 (total posts: 2)
    43     69

    To the Tim Tebow haters.....SUCK IT!!!

    Why do people hate him? Because he is not ashamed of his faith? Even Rich Eisen after the game said "Is he for real?" And Marshall Faulk basically laughed at him too. Big props to Deion and Michael Irvin for backing him on being "real". I don't believe for a minute that his faith is an act to get attention. I've heard people compare him to the Pharisees. Those people are fools. He is doing God's will and you have to admire his courage in the midst of all this hate. People are prowling like lions hoping he will say or do something "un-christian" so they can discredit him. Pray for him. He needs it.

    And thank you Walter! I don't always agree with you, but I have gained some valuable insight from you this year. I have 105 wins now in my pool at work and some of that credit goes to you.

    Roll on my man! To the Walter haters....SUCK IT!!!
    Tom P 11-16-2011 02:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.66 (total posts: 1)
    13     15

    There is backup fullback Korey Hall...

    Sproles Hall Ingram and Thomas... too bad they all don't play for the Browns, that would be hilarious.
    Alex 11-15-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.70 (total posts: 1)
    20     26

    The game meant absolutely nothing to the Giants? Guess they will breeze thru the next three weeks PHI, @ NO, GB before their first meeting with a surging Dallas squad that plays Sisters of the Poor, Poly Tech, and Iowa Central the next three weeks. Such clown analysis.


    2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 23


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    2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
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    2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
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    2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
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    2007: NFL Draft: Day 1 Review Blog - April 28
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    Chief Carl Has Lost a Step - Sept. 9
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