This matchup features a lot of similarities in last week's New Orleans/San Francisco game. One team has an elite offense and the other has an elite defense. With all do respect to the Patriots, they will be luckiest team in NFL history if they win a Super Bowl. Pittsburgh, who would have been their hardest possible matchup, got Tebowed in the first round. The Saints and Packers were both knocked out early over on the NFC side. Instead of facing Pitt, Baltimore, and New Orleans/Green Bay, they will have faced Denver, Baltimore, and San Francisco/New York Giants.
Baltimore's defense has carried them to this point, which shouldn't surprise many. They've done it this way for years. Add in Ray Rice, arguably the NFL's best running back who totaled over 2,000 total yards in 2011, and you have a classic, prototypical team that is built to win in the playoffs. The Patriots have a much different approach: Throw it. Again. And again.
In a season where offense reigned supreme all year long, I have to think that defense will eventually take over, and I think we've reached that point. I challenge anyone to find me two players who care and want to win more than Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Those two are first ballot Hall of Famers, without question. However, they know time is running out on them to win another Super Bowl. This could very well be their last shot and there's no way those two let this one slip. The Patriots defense is downright awful. The best way to beat Tom Brady is to keep him off the field. Ray Rice and Ricky Williams will control the football and wear down the New England defense with long, sustained drives that keep Brady on the sidelines. Defensively, Baltimore has what it takes to stop Brady: A stong pass rush and DB's who can cover. As long as Joe Flacco can manage the game and not lose it, the Ravens will be booking flights to Indy.
Prediction: Baltimore, 28-24.
New York Giants @ San Francisco
It's a shame we wont get to see that New Orleans/Green Bay rematch, but these two teams don't mind. The 49ers, much like the Ravens, take a very old school approach to the game. That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering their head coaches are brothers. San Francisco's defense showed what they're capable of doing last week. Drew Brees, who was as hot as any quarterback in history coming into the playoffs, turned him and the Saints offense over five times. Eli Manning, despite his extremely impressive year, is more prone to the interception than Brees (Eli threw 16 in 2011).
The player to watch in this one is Giants WR Hakeem Nicks. Teams have been doubling Victor Cruz lately, which is giving Nicks a lot of one-on-one looks. If the 49ers elect to to go with a similar game plan and have success covering Nicks with just one DB, Manning could have problems. Last week, Manning had all day long to throw against Green Bay, who have zero pass rush outside of Clay Matthews. Unfortunately for New York, San Fran can come at you from every which way.
Everyone knows what Patrick Willis brings to the table, but the guy who doesn't get enough attention is Aldon Smith. The outside linebacker piled up14 sacks in the regular season and added another last week. Those two linebackers combined with some very talented players in the secondary will give Eli some big issues. Expect Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner to deflect and intercept some passes. Much like the AFC Title game, the 49ers will use defense, a heavy pass rush, cover corners and safeties, and a great run game to control things. Bring on the Harbaugh Bowl rematch. This time, it's for a ring. Mom and Dad must be proud...or terrified.
Prediction: San Francisco, 30-20.
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