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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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    Rob 10-10-2011 11:50 am xxx.xxx.xxx.158 (total posts: 1)
    55     37

    you didnt mention anything about the bills in that write up. everything was about the eagles. o well. everyone can keep ignoring what the bills are doing good and always talk about what the other teams are doing wrong.
    Patrick 10-10-2011 11:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx.180 (total posts: 1)
    25     28

    Bogus non cover? really? Had denver finished out with orton, who you expected to play the whole game when making your predictions, they would have LOST BY 16!!!!
    db 10-10-2011 11:02 am xxx.xxx.xxx.170 (total posts: 2)
    29     20

    yeah, the chargers only outgained denver by 150 yards, bogus non-cover.
    Lance 10-10-2011 10:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx.137 (total posts: 4)
    16     16

    Well, I think I'll punch Mike Mularkey in the face if I ever run into him. By far the worst coordinator in the league. He went all out in the first two drives against the Packers by finally calling screens and slant routes but then remembered he's supposed to be as predictable as possible and to make the offense as unbalanced as humanly possible.
    Wirst Coach ever 10-10-2011 10:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx.212 (total posts: 1)
    26     26

    @Vince: yes, the Chargers won but WE lost (all the people who had money on the Broncos ATS).
    And not running the ball on the first two downs at the own 20 with about 3 minutes left was incredibly stupid by Norv Turner. If Rivers doesn't complete the 3rd and 10 you give the red hot Tebow the ball with more than 3 minutes left. So this time Norv wasn't punished for his stupidity, but he eventually will. With Norv on the sideline the Chargers stand no chance whatsoever against a well-coached team in the playoffs. Mark my words!
    Ron 10-10-2011 09:35 am xxx.xxx.xxx.121 (total posts: 2)
    21     28

    Has anyone noticed that referee Jerome Boger sounds like he took lessons from Emmitt Smith on how to debacle the english language?
    Help! 10-10-2011 08:09 am xxx.xxx.xxx.126 (total posts: 3)
    24     15

    "Matt Cassel really deserves a lot of credit for this win."

    What the hell did you do with Walter?! Walter would never write something positive about Matt Cassel. Someone call the FBI and put in for a missing persons for Walter.
    Mark Hogan 10-10-2011 07:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx.186 (total posts: 1)
    70     64

    Come on Walt!!! T he refs had a stake in this game???? Be more professional!!
    Lucas 10-10-2011 06:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx.229 (total posts: 1)
    29     15

    It's finally Tebow time! What should've happened 4 and a half weeks ago is finally here. Finally my Broncos have a shot at winning some ball games. Finally!
    Vince 10-10-2011 05:29 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.99 (total posts: 4)
    34     38

    What was the second bogus personal foul? And the one that 'left the announcers befuddled' actually was legit. The ref announced "Hit on a defenseless receiver." When CBS showed the replay, at the top of the screen, you could just barely see Vincent Jackson, turned around and watching the pass to Floyd I think it was, and you could see a safety come from behind him and drill him to the ground, hitting him in the back. I think it was #26 on Denver. But I don't recall the other personal foul you're speaking of.

    @Wirst Coach ever: I tend to agree that Norv Turner isn't a good coach, but what are you talking about? The Chargers won, last time I checked. If you're referring to why the Broncos lost the Chargers game, how could it have been Turner's playcalling? Orton was a much more obvious target.
    Wirst Coach ever 10-10-2011 04:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx.213 (total posts: 1)
    18     28

    Hi Walt,

    Just wanted to point out the main reason why we lost the Chargers game - the atrocious play calling by Norv Turner.

    With around 3 minutes left for no reason whatsoever he decided to throw the ball twice on the first two downs instead of running it to keep the clock going. Of course both passes were incomplete. Only because of this absolute horrible play calling the Chargers were forced to try the filed goal instead of just running down the clock.

    I'm really looking forward to unloading against Norv Turner in the playoffs, when his idiotic play calling once again will kill the Chargers.
    Dear Dan 10-10-2011 03:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 3)
    23     24

    Technically they had 1 but it was offset by another Denver Personal foul
    Refs Suck 10-10-2011 03:57 am xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 3)
    43     26

    I'm glad I wasn't the only one watching the Broncos and seeing all those phantom calls. 2 personal fours that were not there FML.

    On the plus side looks like Orton will ride the bench now, its #TebowTime. When Tebow was on the field the Broncos technically won. 14-6. Imagine if tebow had played the whole time. I would be fine with Orton if he showed that he actually wanted to play. But honestly to me it looks as though he just wants to get paid. Tebow is a gamer and has someting that Orton doesn't leadership and a passion for the game.
    Dan 10-10-2011 02:29 am xxx.xxx.xxx.103 (total posts: 1)
    33     16

    San Diego had 0 penalties on them
    nycsportzfan 10-04-2011 08:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx.154 (total posts: 1)
    27     27

    Whats up with Shady mccoy getting 9carries? The guys one of the best in the league and your giving goal line carries to Scmitt and ronnie brown? It cracks me up when teams call on guys who stink to much to be starters the ball in crucial situations LOL Why would u not give the ball to your best player every time u get close to the endzone? If i was Shady i would be heated!


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