Championship Sunday: Who Ya Got?

by Christopher Gates on Jan 21, 2012 2:00 PM CST in NFL

We're about 24 hours away from the kickoff of the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro. That means that there are only three meaningful games left in the 2011 NFL season, and the eyes of football fans everywhere will be focused on both coasts come tomorrow afternoon. So, for the next 24 hours, this thread will give you a chance to talk with your fellow Vikings' fans about who you think will be playing in Indianapolis in two weeks in Super Bowl XLVI.

Eric made his predictions yesterday, and I've got to say. . .I'm 100% in agreement with him. (Yeah, Eric, you're hosed. Sorry.) In the AFC game. . .man, did the Patriots look amazing on Saturday when they demolished the Denver Broncos. Yes, I realize that the Ravens' defense is a step up from Denver's. . .along those same lines, Tom Brady is just slightly better than T.J. Yates. In a big game situation, I'm going with Brady and Bill Belichick over Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh.

Patriots 31, Ravens 21

In the NFC game, the weather is going to be a factor. The rain started yesterday in northern California, and is going to continue all day today and all day on Sunday. So, by the time 5:30 PM Central on Sunday comes around, things could be pretty ugly in the Bay Area. (Yes, I realize that the tarp is on the field at Candlestick. . .it won't take long for that to not make any difference.) The Giants have rediscovered their running game, are playing great defense right now, and Eli Manning is playing outstanding football. The Niners, on the other hand, have had their running game all year, have played great defense all year (they didn't allow a rushing touchdown until Week 16, for crying out loud). . .and say what you will about Alex Smith, but he's becoming one of the great reclamation projects in recent NFL history. (If you don't believe me, check out Jim Trotter's story on SI.com about just how close Smith was to leaving San Francisco.) The pass to Vernon Davis to win that game last week was an amazing throw. I think that momentum carries the Niners forward and puts them into the Super Bowl for the first time since Steve Young was starting at quarterback.

49ers 23, Giants 20

Those are my takes. . .who do you have this weekend?

Poll

When the dust settles and the smoke clears on Championship Sunday, Super Bowl XVLI will be contested between. . .

Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants (rematch of Super Bowl XXXV)

26 votes

Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers (HAR-BOWL!)

133 votes

New England Patriots and New York Giants (rematch of Super Bowl XLII)

166 votes

New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers (we don't have a cool name or storyline for this one yet, but give us two weeks and we'll find one)

168 votes

493 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I see a NY NE rematch

Giants have been playing very well lately and the pats are still playing well. I think both will be close games.

I don’t much care for either team but I really dislike the pats but I think they will win said rematch if it happens.

by reebs on Jan 21, 2012 2:17 PM CST via mobile reply actions

If it's a Giants/ Pats rematch...

you’d better believe no team will have ever played with the vengeful wrath that the Patriots will bring to Indy. I’m not saying it would take them to victory, but man will the fire in Tom Brady’s eyes be scawy.

261 Daily Norseman readers and counting say I am a genius... the masses have spoke!

...and those who voted 'moron' were secretly Packer trolls.
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by KJSegall on Jan 21, 2012 3:18 PM CST up reply actions

This is really the only game I'm interested in.

Any other match-up just seem boring in comparison!

by chaosg on Jan 21, 2012 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

I want the Pats vs the 49ers...

simply because it would create an interesting statistic. If the Pats play the 49ers in this years Superbowl then in the last ten years we will have 10 teams and 10 starting QBs in the Superbowl on the NFC side and 4 teams and 4 QBs on the AFC side.

As it stands we have 4 and 4 on the AFC side and 10 teams with 9 different QBs on the NFC side.

by mn6334 on Jan 21, 2012 2:18 PM CST reply actions

Would like to see Patriots-49ers.

Really though, anything but the Harbaugh Bowl. Wouldn’t be able to stand listening to 2 weeks of that.

Jack Morris ________

by John_Locke on Jan 21, 2012 2:19 PM CST reply actions

The "Harbowl" hype would be sickening, but I think the game would be a great one.

You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the Spiderman
And you don't trash talk about him

by REVENGE4WEBB on Jan 21, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

For the record

I have called every single game this playoff season except for the Steelers-Broncos (but who in good faith ACTUALLY called that? You know, logically?). And I called a 49er’s/ Ravens Super Bowl since Week 14. So I’m sticking with that.

261 Daily Norseman readers and counting say I am a genius... the masses have spoke!

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by KJSegall on Jan 21, 2012 3:17 PM CST reply actions

I really don't think the Ravens defense is good enough to contain this Patriots offense

Wes Welker continues to tear up the field, and no one has yet to find an answer to this two TE offense that Belichick is bringing to the table. And Deion Branch is solid enough to remind defenses once or twice a game that he can make some great plays.

Couple that with when Flacco feels pressure he just panics and hucks it downfield for Anquaan Boldin or Torrey Smith or the opposing safety. All last week the Pats D was brining it to Tebow and getting a solid rush. When they went into that game too the announcers were even talkin about how statistically the Broncos O-line was one of the best this year. I’m lookin forward to McKinney getting beat like a drum all game long.

by nmatt71 on Jan 21, 2012 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

I honestly picked Denver over Pitt

Pittsburgh was banged up. Different center, R-burger hobbled. It made for a good upset. Tomorrow I’m picking Baltimore and NYG.

by vking1 on Jan 21, 2012 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

Now that I've shot my mouth off...

Watch me miss on both games!

by vking1 on Jan 22, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

I got

49’ers 31 – Giants 21
NE 41 – Ravens 27

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 21, 2012 3:55 PM CST reply actions

Not understanding SF

I don’t get why so many people are picking SF. They got 5 turnovers from the Saints in that game and still had to win it in the last minute of the game. Reminded me of the Saints-Vikings game where probably the best team didn’t win the game. Granted the Giants don’t have as good an offense as the Saints but they have a better defense, and I don’t see SF getting another 5 turnovers given to them. Of course as it is said, “that’s why they play the game”

by fox1962 on Jan 21, 2012 3:56 PM CST reply actions

The difference, in my mind

Is an extension of the fact that SF went 13-3 this year and the Giants went 9-7.

SF is a better all-around team.

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 21, 2012 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

I just hope the weather is a factor like they're predicting.

I’m hoping for a lot of mud and a lot of turnovers :)

by chaosg on Jan 21, 2012 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

But...

San Fran plays in the NFC west with AZ, SEA, STL! Those 3 team combined for a 17-31 record. I’m with Fox, the 49’ers are a good team, but I’d take any of the 3 remaining playoff teams in a walk over the Alex Smith-led Niners. If they beat the Giants, it would be a gigantic upset in my mind. Only way it happens is if Eli morphs into BadEli, as he is prone to do sometimes.

Just not usually in the playoffs.

by JMigz on Jan 22, 2012 1:19 AM CST up reply actions

Agree

Agree wit the turnover arguement.
Giants and Pats although I will be pulling for the Ravans cause I can’t stand the Pat’s and would like BIRK to get a ring, unfortunately that means McKinney gets one too.
Maybe McKinney gets arrested dn can’t play and they still win.?

by ZygiZag on Jan 21, 2012 10:49 PM CST up reply actions

49ers

I think the Giants looked good last week because of the situation with the Packers OC. He rightly missed the week due to family tragedy. I thought GB showed a lot of class to put his family first and not use his lack of prep as an excuse. But I’m sure it had an impact on the team. If weather is bad, I really like the Niners.

In the AFC, heart is rooting for the Ravens, head says Bet on Tom Brady.

by Vikefandc on Jan 21, 2012 4:09 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Patriots/49ers

then they’ll say ‘what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object’ for 2 weeks.

when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"

by filbert33 on Jan 21, 2012 6:07 PM CST reply actions

Ravens vs. 49ers (defense wins)

Ravens 28, Patriots 20; 49ers 21, Giants 10

The Patriots could go to the SB and maybe win it all, but that team has more holes than usual. I think the Ravens’ D could be enough to win.

The 49ers went most of the season without giving up a rushing TD. That could hamper NYG by a lot. I don’t think that Eli is really as good as his numbers, especially on days without much of a running game.

After that, I don’t really care, but I do not want to see another championship fall into that punk Eli Manning’s lap.

by KC Viking on Jan 21, 2012 6:34 PM CST reply actions

Patriots v 49ers, that's final!

Raven’s trip ends against a superior opponent on the road.
49er’s fresher legs and inspired play continues.

Sure would be nice for a Supa Harbowl but the McKinnie fiasco and his treatment of the Vikings has me rooting against the Ravens. That’s the way it is.

Vikings in 2012 will be a Wonder-ful year. Seriously!!
I also love the game of golf. My favorite golf GPS app is OptimalClub.
It is hands down the BEST golf aid you'll ever have for club distances
under current elevation and weather conditions. Stop guessing & score low!

by VikesFanSince1967 on Jan 22, 2012 11:46 AM CST reply actions