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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.

joecleveland 11-07-2011 03:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.130 (total posts: 1)

Regarding the Browns: Arguing with McCoy? It looked like Greg Little was agreeing with every word McCoy was saying. Little ran a wrong route, as rookies will do, and Little appeared to be discussing it with Colt. Nothing more.

Im a be real here 11-07-2011 01:57 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.223 (total posts: 2)

I have been winning not with walts
Picks but i have been noticing people take 3-4 picks when u should only bet one game or prop per bet... U wanna win be smart put 5 grand down example and put 1 grand on each pick so u got 5 picks walk away 10-20 grand or minus be a man and bet smart

I seen so many people losing on pools and spread and proline its funny only stupid people bet proline or spread ... Pools are okay

Matt 11-07-2011 10:43 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.32 (total posts: 2)

167

125

(Editor's Note: Matvei texted me when the Buccaneers scored what looked to be a backdoor cover touchdown: "It's nice to have shady pass interference penalties go our way for once. Go Bucs!" So much for that. Ugh, did the Saints really have to kick that frontdoor cover field goal? Why does something like this happen to me every week? Why God, why!?)
-------
OH PLEASE STFU!! It's comments like these that make people enjoy making fun of you. Aren't the Saints allowed to go down the field and kick a game-icing FG?!? Repeat after me: "I bet the wrong team". Enough with the lame excuses. TB got demolished. It was 24-6 in the 4th quarter. TB was the team scoring the garbage time points setting YOU up for the backdoor cover. You are lucky you even had a chance to cover.

Enough already! You bet the wrong team!

Elisabeth Constantine 11-03-2011 04:33 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.48 (total posts: 4)

WALT HATER KILLA 11-02-2011 01:12 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

107

@ Alex - Please take your fingers out of your anus, you need to find a boyfriend.

Alex 11-01-2011 11:35 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.35 (total posts: 2)

225

I find it interesting that Walt avoids commenting on games where his "idols" sucked, or his "loosers" showed.
Case in point this week:

1. No comments on MIN-CAR. I was looking forward to excuse for Newton after
"He's making all the throws, showing tremendous arm strength and accuracy. And when nothing's there, he scrambles for first downs."

2. DET - DEN
What happened to the golden boy Timmy T? I though that "Tebow should be able to do what he does best - run around, make plays and ultimately win games."

3. PIT - NE
What happened to another golden boy? I was looking forward to Walt's thoughts on "...Pittsburgh's defense has had no answer for him." Especially considering that "...Pittsburgh's ranking might be a bit misleading." and Tom Brady "...he's, well, Tom Brady".

4. Last week NYJ game.
Plaxico scores for 3 TDs and Walt chooses to not mention this fact at all. Is this really this insignificant?
This actually is not entirely true. In his "ignory" for the week fantasy section, Walt says "I don't believe this 3 TD crap". Why "crap" and why don't believe?

JIM TODD KILLA 11-01-2011 01:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

R.I.P. TIM JODD

??/??/19?? - 11/01/11

DED

JIM TODD KILLA 11-01-2011 12:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

I Googled Jim Todd. Turns out son is a transsexual.

Jim Todd 11-01-2011 12:47 am xxx.xxx.xxx.249 (total posts: 2)

Hey Homie, I know you are probably not a baseball fan, but in the case you are, please google my name. And by the way I do like some sausage, but not in the way you described. And the money thing is true for the pick 6. Unfortunately this year I am sucking hind tit.

Homie From The Hood 11-01-2011 12:46 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

JIM TODD KILLA

Homie From The Hood 11-01-2011 12:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

Jim Todd likes kielbasa in his mouth, butt, ears and nose. FACT

Jim Todd 11-01-2011 12:21 am xxx.xxx.xxx.249 (total posts: 2)

Walt, Can't say I'm happy with the picks, but for the past 5 years I have been playing in a pick six for $350 entry. I have won over $10000 betting with you and of course agreeing with those picks. However, when you pick the Ravens as your pick of the month, and then say you found out something and don't share the information, that is disconcerting. Just remember, 2 is better than none. I have never seen you do so many 0 unit picks. I think you are getting gun shy. Go with what has worked for you.

Homie From The Hood 11-01-2011 12:04 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.30 (total posts: 7)

354

375

Walt is the man. He's just having a rough year. Anyone who doesn't like it can eat a sack of baby dicks.

darnell 10-31-2011 11:58 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.254 (total posts: 2)

carroll didn't think he could win with jackson and whitehurst, but he also knows that you can't win a championship with dalton, kaepernick, kolb or palmer.

why trade a lot for average kolb, why spend a 1st rounder on decent dalton. he knows that starting whitehurst and jackson can lead to getting luck or barkley.

that QB we step into an offense with young talented oline, a 24 year old probowl wr, a 25 year old probowl TE and some other nice pieces.

Wrt23 10-31-2011 08:12 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.124 (total posts: 3)

@Zeekmo

Agreed! He's definitely proving people (including me) wrong. Not that he's that amazing or anything. But he is a viable starter in my opinion.

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2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
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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
Quarterback Rankings - June 25
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Chief Carl Has Lost a Step - Sept. 9
The NFL Cheated the Patriots - Sept. 16
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2008 Championship Sunday Diary - Jan. 20
Super Bowl XLII Live Blog - Feb. 3

Week 20 NFL Game Recaps

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