Championship Week

Leading up to this weekends NFL games, the anticipation is already building.  A rematch of the Giants/49ers.  An unstoppable force (Patriots offense) and an immovable object (supposedly the Baltimore defense).

The Giants were mighty impressive in their 37-20 thrashing of everyones favorite to win it all, the Packers.  In Green Bay.  As an almost double-digit dog.  Eli proved, once and for all, that he is among the NFL's ELIte quarterbacks.  The score was tied 10-10 before the G-Men rattled off 10 straight points before the half - the last score a bomb of a hail mary to Hakeem Nicks, who just wanted it more than anyone else.  The Packers lacked a sense of urgency it seemed - it was almost like "oh, we'll score points, no big deal" except it was, and they are left to wonder what could have been.

The 49ers did the unthinkable, "shocking" the Saints, even though they were the higher seed - 36-32 on a last second Smith-to-Davis TD pass.  I actually clapped and was excited by the finish.  Everyone has seen how well the 49ers did this year but no one really saw.  They finally showed how versatile they can be when they actually punch it in the endzone.  The Saints, well, their defense stunk.  Sure they have an explosive offense, but the defense has to give them something. 

Giants/49ers - SF beat the Giants once already (as did the Packers), 27-20, thanks to a miserable defensive fourth quarter.  This is a different Giants team, however, and I think it'll be a tough home game for the 49ers.

The Patriots showed who was boss in their drubbing of the Tebows Broncos, 45-10.  Before you could blink, Tom Brady had five TD passes - in the first half!  Everyone was talking about Tebow and Brady Quinn all week, but there wasn't a lot of chatter about Tom Brady.  Not really sure why, odd.  Sure, Tebow had a great run, but it's been said before - once the Broncos get behind big early, it's over.  Belichick is a genius and had a great plan (read: NOT 9 in the box like the Steelers) and they executed it to perfection.  Nine straight wins for the Pats since their loss to the Giants.

The Ravens held on in the most boring game of the weekend, for a 20-13 win over the Texans.  The game was almost unwatchable.  They haven't faced an offense like the Patriots have all season - so it'll be interesting to see if they can keep the two-headed TE monster in check.  Their offense doesn't scare anyone and I'm sure their defense is going to be getting all the pub this week leading up to it.  Flacco is a good quarterback and Ray Rice is dynamic, but he's been average in three of their past four games (191 yards in the season-finale against the Bengals).  If they can stop him - on the ground and through the air - it'll be a long day for the Ravens D.

Ravens/Patriots - First time these two play this season.  Patriots are rolling and their "terrible" defense is looking better and better.  Remember, confidence is key, and like the Giants, they are a very confident group.  I'm sure Ray Ray and T-Sizzle will have the purple and black fired up, but  Brady might play the role of fireman and put it out.

I'm predicting a Giants/Patriots rematch of 2008 (and Week 9).

Don't believe all the hype and media coverage.  It comes down to who gets hot at the right time and who's clicking on all cylinders, and if you watched the games this weekend, I think it's those two.