FOX
3:00 pm EST
This
game brings back memories of the old NFC West days where the 49ers and Falcons
played each other twice a year. First it
was “Primetime” Deion Sanders with the Falcons vs. Jerry Rice of the
49ers. Then it was Deion Sanders with
the 49ers vs. Andre Rison of the Falcons.
Primetime basically built the Georgia Dome giving it a reputation and
then Michael Vick stormed in from Virginia Tech and carried the torch
until….well we know what took place with the whole Vick and dogs situation.
Now,
enters “Matty Ice”. Matt Ryan picked up
the pieces where Vick left a fan base shattered and has quietly made noise year
after year. Owner Arthur Blank of the
Falcons (and he owns Home Depot) along with President and CEO Rich McKay has assembled
a work of art on offense. Matt Ryan has
two strong receiving weapons in Roddy White from Alabama-Birmingham and
Julio Jones from the University of Alabama’s semi pro team. Additionally, Matty Ice has arguably one of
the greatest Tight Ends in NFL history to throw to in Tony Gonzalez.
The
other side has the San Francisco 49ers and the rookie Colin Kaepernick of Nevada
leading the way. Kaepernick broke an NFL playoff rushing record last week vs. Green Bay rushing for 181 yards. The guy is very different from anything we
have seen. He has deceptive speed, a
baseball pitchers throwing arm and QB recognition beyond his years.
Meanwhile
coach Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers has stood by his decision to have Kaepernick
continue to be the starting QB since Alex Smith went down with a concussion. So far it looks like Harbaugh is making all
of the right coaching moves and this is no different.
With
all of these weapons the Falcons have on offense and all of the physical and
mental toughness the 49ers have on their side, I will have to go with the
49ers. I think the 49ers have a better
offense than the Seahawks had in regards to the receivers. Between Michael Carbtree, Randy Moss and Vernon
Davis, the Falcons will have a lot more to deal with this week. The game will be close, but I give the 49ers
the edge.
49ers
win 33-27
CBS
6:30 pm EST
Here
we go again. This is a rematch of last
year’s AFC Championship game. Same place
and same time of year last year. Last
year Joe Flacco of the Ravens played phenomenal and Wide Receiver Lee Evans of
the Ravens did not. Plain and simple…Evans dropped the ball during the last seconds of the game where the Ravens could have won but lost.
This
year will be a little different. Ray
Lewis is on his retirement journey and it looks promising. At first, I thought Sugar Ray was done against
the Broncos last week, but the Ravens proved me wrong. I did not think Flacco could step up and
succeed as a leader, but he has proven me wrong. I am very glad the Ravens have proven me
wrong.
The
old pros with the Patriots in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be prepared as
usual. Say what you want about Spygate
and all of that stuff, but the Pats prepare better than any other team in the
NFL. No they do not have the Super Bowl
rings lately to prove it, but they have the history and pedigree.
The
Patriots defense is much improved and the Patriots offense is always high
powered. The Ravens offense is much
improved due to Flacco and the defense has improved in their run game.
With
all of that said, I now believe in the Baltimore Ravens. Destiny is on their side, at least for now,
and they will continue to win this week.
For some reason the Ravens prepare for New England better than any other
team. They will need everything this
week against Brady and the hurry up offense.
Ravens
win 24-20.
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