Posted 21 January 2013 - 03:06 PM
I am happy, because the two teams I was pulling for won. In my view, Joe Flacco does not have to prove anything to anyone anymore.
As for the Superbowl, I think the Ravens are slim favourites, although I will be supporting the 49ers. Each year, there is a team, which peaks at the right time, and the Ravens look like this team this year. Besides, if there is one small weakness in the 49ers team, it is the defensive secondary in my view, and that does not bode too well against the Ravens receiving corps, although the Niners managed to neutralise the Falcons' passing game as well in the second half. But they basically had to do it with their linebackers.
If Kaepernick and the SF O-line really play their best, I can see the game becoming a shootout and the 49ers winning it, despite giving up big plays to Flacco and company. But the most likely outcome for me at the moment is the Ravens by one score, wtih both teams scoring in the twenties. I just hope that the game isn't decided by a missde fieldgoal, because I absolutely hate it, when one player becomes the goat for a losing effort by a whole team.
Does anyone else think that the NFL also has to look into the rules regarding equipment? I am not talking about helmets and other pieces of protection, I am talking about those receivers' gloves with their silicone (or whatever it is) coating. I have been following the NFL for about 30 years now, watching about 20 regular season games and about 6 postseason games each year. It seems to me that there have never been so many incredible catches as this season. In previous years, only the absolute top receivers like Jerry Rice (have you ever had a close look at his fingers?) made those fingertip catches. Now it seems that everybody has glue on their hands. The one catch in the NFC game, which SF challenged unsuccessfully was also an example. By the way, after hearing Mr. Perreiras explanation, I think the call was correct. Yes, the ball moved, but he never lost possession, because the ball was always in contact with the one hand. But the only reason why it stayed in contact with the hand was the effect of those gloves I think. There is no way that somebody can keep the ball in his hand barehanded when hitting the ground so hard. You also see so many plays now, in which receivers catch the ball despite being pummelled by two defenders at the same time from different sides. It feel that the defenders have to hit harder and harder because of that, and the NFL tries to stop that, but really, it is the defenders' only chance to keep the receivers from making those catches.
Oh, and why was Pollard's hit which caused the Patriots's running back to fumble not a penalty? Not that I minded, because I had felt that there had been one or two wrong calls against the Ravens before, and a ridiculous non-call against the Patriots, when one of their offensive linemen effectively tackled a Ravens pass-rusher from behind who otherwise would have gotten to Brady at full speed. But that particular hit by Pollard was clearly helmet to helmet, which was evident when the Patriots player was knocked out. I did not understand it.
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bubbagump, on 21 January 2013 - 01:12 PM, said:
, luckily Kaep seems to be the full package he can throw with velocity and accuracy, specifically against the ravens when he hit moss with an absolute bullet across the middle. One interesting thing is that while Harbaugh is no doubt a great coach, a good amount of San Fran's probowl talent comes from old coaching and management and he's reaping all the benefits. Finally, as far as the superbowl goes my prediction is the ravens win 28-27 with an Akers missed field goal at the end for San Fran to win LOL.
