[Sport] NFL playoffs - Championship Games
The final round of the NFL playoffs before the Superbowl is over. After the rollercoaster that was the divisional round there were questions over whether this weekend's games could match the drama. With hindsight they probably didn't, but the two games that we had were still very good to watch. And unlike the divisional rounds, I did actually watch these games!
Game 1: San Francisco 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons
I said last week that I thought the Falcons would be dangerous, and they certainly were. At least to start with. They positively rocketed out into the lead; I think they scored a touchdown on the 2nd or 3rd play of the game. The 49ers looked uncertain, and couldn't get anything going in attack, whilst the Falcons looked comfortable. But as the first half wore on the 49ers started to find their feet, and get some possession time. Some touchdowns were traded, but at halftime I still felt that the Falcons had the upper hand.
Then the second half happened. 0 points for Matt Ryan, and the 49ers were running amuck. Kaepernick only pulled off one big run (in fact one run at all), but his threat let the red-and-gold running backs go wild. Matt Ryan started looking nervous, and his big three targets were all suddenly covered a lot better than before. The end of the game was tense, as the Falcons got the chance to get in field goal range and tie, or to go for a touchdown. But a previous sack of Ryan seemed to be hurting his shoulder, and nothing came of that final chance. 49ers go through.
I think that the better, more complete team won, but ultimately either team would have been deserving winners. It really was (cliché alert) a game of two halves, but I think that the closeness of the scoreline and tension at the end of game serve to show how closely matched the two teams really were.
I said last week that I thought the Falcons would be dangerous, and they certainly were. At least to start with. They positively rocketed out into the lead; I think they scored a touchdown on the 2nd or 3rd play of the game. The 49ers looked uncertain, and couldn't get anything going in attack, whilst the Falcons looked comfortable. But as the first half wore on the 49ers started to find their feet, and get some possession time. Some touchdowns were traded, but at halftime I still felt that the Falcons had the upper hand.
Then the second half happened. 0 points for Matt Ryan, and the 49ers were running amuck. Kaepernick only pulled off one big run (in fact one run at all), but his threat let the red-and-gold running backs go wild. Matt Ryan started looking nervous, and his big three targets were all suddenly covered a lot better than before. The end of the game was tense, as the Falcons got the chance to get in field goal range and tie, or to go for a touchdown. But a previous sack of Ryan seemed to be hurting his shoulder, and nothing came of that final chance. 49ers go through.
I think that the better, more complete team won, but ultimately either team would have been deserving winners. It really was (cliché alert) a game of two halves, but I think that the closeness of the scoreline and tension at the end of game serve to show how closely matched the two teams really were.
Frank Gore ran all over the Falcons, partly due to their wariness regarding Colin Kaepernick. (Credit: foxnews.com)
Game 2: Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots
Rematch time! Also, déjà vu time. This could have been a repeat of the earlier game, in as much as one team had the early lead, then got overwhelmed in the second half. But in this case the lead second half dominance by the Baltimore Ravens was even more complete than that shown by the 49ers.
I said that I though that the game would be close. It was, to start with, but by midway through the last quarter there was no tension left and the outcome seemed obvious. The Patriots had to pull something special out of the bag, and they didn't manage it. All credit to the Ravens here. When their initial approach wasn't working they changed their gameplan, and this year they didn't let themselves get into the position of a kick deciding their fate. Joe Flacco was once again superb, but Tom Brady seemed unfocused and not really up to his usual standard. Or perhaps that was just the superb defence by the Ravens.
The turning point of this game though was also one of the most disturbing. The Patriots running back broke loose and, as a defender approached, ducked his head. A clash of heads later, and he was on the floor, clearly unconscious. The ball popped out, and we were treated to the sight of a pile of grown men wrestling for a football whilst a fellow played was stretched out on the floor. I have no doubt that the players at the bottom of the pile had no idea what had happened, but it still gave me goosebumps.
Rematch time! Also, déjà vu time. This could have been a repeat of the earlier game, in as much as one team had the early lead, then got overwhelmed in the second half. But in this case the lead second half dominance by the Baltimore Ravens was even more complete than that shown by the 49ers.
I said that I though that the game would be close. It was, to start with, but by midway through the last quarter there was no tension left and the outcome seemed obvious. The Patriots had to pull something special out of the bag, and they didn't manage it. All credit to the Ravens here. When their initial approach wasn't working they changed their gameplan, and this year they didn't let themselves get into the position of a kick deciding their fate. Joe Flacco was once again superb, but Tom Brady seemed unfocused and not really up to his usual standard. Or perhaps that was just the superb defence by the Ravens.
The turning point of this game though was also one of the most disturbing. The Patriots running back broke loose and, as a defender approached, ducked his head. A clash of heads later, and he was on the floor, clearly unconscious. The ball popped out, and we were treated to the sight of a pile of grown men wrestling for a football whilst a fellow played was stretched out on the floor. I have no doubt that the players at the bottom of the pile had no idea what had happened, but it still gave me goosebumps.
At some point during the game this happened. I love that 'Bradying' has become a thing. (Credit: washingtonpost.com)
With the two Conference Champions crowned, we now turn our attention to the Superbowl. Or, as it will invariably end up being known, the Harbowl. The coaches of the two teams are brothers (the Harbaughs), so we're going to have to put up with two weeks of stories about this admittedly historic occasion. Still, it will make a nice change from more Ray Lewis retirement drivel.
My prediction for the superbowl? Hard to say really. The Ravens are on superb form, still have Lewis to play for, and Flacco looks great. But my gut says that the 49ers will pull it out on the strength of their running game and defense, who lack the star power but are younger, fitter, and just as good as their Ravens counterparts.
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