The Crystal Ball 2012 The Championships

New year, new team, new receivers, new lease on life, new career. Same results. Peyton Manning, one and done in the playoffs.

Opening Kickoff

Oh come on universe! Start balancing out as you're supposed to! I mean really, the Harbaugh's championship weekend again???? Man!

The Way It Was

What is with teams anymore? Does no one have the temerity or gumption to stand up and exact revenge? Does no one have the desire and want to smite those who previously defeated them? The Packers had perfect chance to stick it to 49ers for humiliating them on their own field in Week 1, yet they went out and played like they haven't practiced in weeks. Plus, the 49ers passed on Rodgers. shouldn't his blood have been boiling at the chance to stick it to them, on their field, in front of their fans, for passing on him in favor of Alex "all but forgotten" Smith? And Houston, you were no better. So much for getting back at the team that humiliated you a month ago. Yeesh.

Broncos 35 - Ravens 35 Double OT

At kick off the temperature was 13 degrees. At the beginning of the third quarter it was 11 degrees with wind chill of -1. Brrrrr.

For a while, I did enjoy this game. I found it hilarious that John Harbaugh, the former special teams coach, was getting burned by Trendon Holliday and the Broncos special teams units. That was hilarious.

But what I didn't enjoy was watching the Ravens defensive unit getting away with everything. Paul Kruger and Haloti Ngata both had late hits on Manning after he released the ball. Neither were called for the obvious penalties. At least now Peyton Manning knows how Ben Roethlisberger feels twice a season.

The Ravens defense was given such ridiculous leeway, I'm convinced that during Wild Card weekend, when Goodell and Lewis had their uncomfortable bro hug, Lewis whispered in Roger's ear "if we don't win the Super Bowl, I'll cut you."

And then in overtime, the calls against Denver were more questionable. Heck, even Dan Dierdorf was openly questioning a few of them. They were obviously wrong, and so obvious that it got to the point where you had to wonder, what was the payoff?

Regardless, as I often say good teams will overcome such things. Denver, however could not, and it was their own fault. I ask how, if you have 8 men in coverage, do you allow a long touchdown pass with less than a minute to play in the game when the only play for the losing team is to score a touchdown? Jack del Rio's defensive calls late in the game were questionable, at best.

And speaking of questionable, can we all just say that questionable should be the status granted to John Fox as a head coach? Why not at least take a shot at winning the game in regulation? Everyone knows you can get Tebowed in overtime, why take that chance of playing for a tie? Fox had the better quarterback and was at home. why not take a chance to win the game outright?

49ers 45 - Packers 31

Woof.

Damn it Dom Capers, its no wonder you failed everywhere as a head coach. At this point I'm shocked you were ever successful as a defensive coordinator. You cannot heavy blitz a mobile quarterback, because if they break contain, they'll gain 20 yards before anyone stops them. And that's how a second year quarterback with a total of 8 career starts gains 181 yards rushing and the opposing offense games almost 600 total yards.

I like the Packers and Mike McCarthy, but he had best rethink his defensive philosophy after that horrific performance.

Patriots 41 - Texans 28

Was this the same game from a few weeks ago? If not it sure looked like it.

Well there was one difference. All wonderful defensive end J.J. Watt danced and stomped on the Patriots' logo before the game. Watt, who must have been celebrating a chance to get back at New England for whipping the Texans' ass, then proceeded to do next to nothing of impact throughout the game. Good job Swatt.

The only surprise to me was that New England stopped at 41 points.

Falcons 30 - Seahawks 28

Well, that was an exciting ending, no? Atlanta tried their darnedest to give that game away to Seattle. And to the Seahawks credit, they tried as hard as possible to take the game. Taking the lead with less than a minute left in the game was epic, especially considering they were down by 20 points at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

But Mike Smith did something John Fox didn't. He sent his offense out and put them to work, Atlanta got a few quick plays in and then the game winning field goal. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective. And now they finally know how it feels to win in the playoffs.

The Steel Pit

This week, general manager Kevin Colbert hit the airwaves and made the big announcement that change is coming to the Steelers, and pretty much no one's job is safe. Hopefully that foreshadows a very interesting off season in the Burgh.

In the next few weeks, I'll have my own take on such things.

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Stevan Ridley rocks moon boots in the Patriots locker room. Now that's style!

While he expects to be released from the Jets, Tim Tebow does not know what the future will hold for him. Come on, there has to be one quarterback coach in the NFL who can mold this potential into something special.

Well, the Patriots will be without Rob Gronkowski for the remainder of the playoffs. I guess Tom Brady will have to throw it to one of his other dozen targets.

The big story of the playoffs seems to be Ray Lewis' impending retirement. Well, I prefer to follow the story of the potential retirement of Tony Gonzalez, who in his storied career finally last week experienced his first playoff victory. It's nice to see a good guy have a good day.

Jovan Belcher was drunk when he died. S let me guess, he got hammered, got in an argument with his girlfriend, lashed out like a child and killed her. When he realized what he did he figured its jail or death and he chose death. What a waste.

The Chargers have opted to not explore this Los Angeles market this year and will remain in San Diego for the 2013 season. Whoopee.

Upon Further Review

John Elway risked everything in order to get rid of fan favorite media sensation Tim Tebow. He risked alienating his fan base, hamstringing his franchise for the next five years, losing out on the multitude of media opportunities having a player as popular worldwide as Tebow on his team. He even took a risk on a damaged goods Peyton Manning to make the deal palatable. He did everything possible to rid himself of Tim Tebow, the man he didn't think was worthy of filling his shoes as quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Well, everything except helping Tebow become a better quarterback.

After a wild season where Peyton looked 10 years younger and Tebow rotted on the bench in New York, the results for Denver between 2011 and 2012 were exactly the same. Eliminated in the Divisional Round. Well, one thing is different. This year they have Tim's brother Peter tweaking the team through Twitter.

How's that trade working out now, John?

Ok, it's as simple as this. I was actively rooting for Denver. They had a strong, likeable team, a pretty good fan base and if they put together a run, they could eliminate 3 of my least favorite teams, and two of my most hated. Just an awesome setup to an exciting post season. But they blew it. Badly. And I'm ticked at them. So now, I'm gonna tweak them.

So, the Broncos secondary gets fooled by Baltimore's offensive alignment and gets burned for a bomb pass play for a touchdown. Hmmm, funny, just like last year in the playoffs, but from the other side.

John Fox made more than a few curious calls. But we'll save them for later. Oh yes, you know what he's getting.

Peyton Manning's career record as a playoff starter 9-11

Tim Tebow's career record as a playoff starter 1-1

Sure you made the right call there, Elway?

See how Colin Kaepernick's doing it in San Francisco? A little instruction from a former Super Bowl winning QB on how to improve passing accuracy and Tebow could have been the same thing in Denver. Now, if Denver only had any of those in their employ...

I checked his driver's license, and his official legal name is Chump Bailey.

I loved how all last season Elway kept harping about how terrible a passer Tebow was, how he couldn't complete passes, make the big throws and wasn't good enough to shine in the big moments. And then this year Manning, the high priced savior, makes the worst throw at the worst time, is picked off and blows the game.

Peyton had to use gloves to keep his hands warm. No surprise there, but I find it curious this article stated that his grip on the ball becomes more challenging in cold weather due to nerve damage. Hmmmm, you would think home stadia temperature should have been in Manning's decision on where to play last off season.

When the shocked team returned to clean out their lockers, Manning did not make himself available to the members of the media present for interviews, like most of his teammates did. Peyton, you turned the ball over three times, with the third turnover being the back breaker. You're the leader of the team and the man everyone looks to for answers in good times and bad. You had best make yourself available and stand tall before the man.

The call has been out for years to anoint Peyton Manning as the greatest quarterback of all time, better than others more proven in the post season. I have resisted this call in the same way I have resisted the call to anoint Dan Marino the same crown. I have never denied either being a great quarterback, but there has to be something more in the post season to be considered the greatest, at least in my opinion. And I have discussed this issue previously at length.

Well, now, after this latest defeat, his 8th one and done in the playoffs, 2-9 in playoff games that came down to the final few minutes, and his overall 9-11 playoff record, everyone now is starting to say what I pointed out years ago. Peyton Manning is a great quarterback, but he cannot get it done when it matters most, like Tom Brady, Joe Montana or Terry Bradshaw.

Duck Duck Coach

Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville introduced Gus Bradley, the former defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, as their new head coach. Was that a good idea? Did you see Seattle's defense give up all that yardage on 2 plays in 20 seconds last week? Woof.

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles, as it's been said, got their man. After interviewing with Cleveland and Philadelphia, then saying he was staying at Oregon, Chip Kelly changed his mind again and accepted the Eagles head coaching job. Wow, I wonder how the Browns feel today.

Chicago Bears - Chicago went north of the border and hired Marc Trestman, who had been coaching in the CFL, as their new head coach. Good luck with Jay Cutler Marc.

San Diego Chargers - San Diego hired Mike McCoy, former offensive coordinator for Denver, as their new head coach. McCoy then hired Ken Whisenhunt as his new offensive coordinator. Dang.

Arizona Cardinals - Arizona once again looked to Pittsburgh's offense for their new head coach, and hired former offensive coordinator.....Bruce Arians. No! Wrong one! Oh well. Hey good for Bruce, especially since he retired last January.

And with that, all the head coaching vacancies have been filled, and this little nugget disappears until next season, when different head coaches will be canned and the merry go round begins anew.

He Said He Said

"Tim Tebow won an overtime home playoff game in Denver 12 months before Peyton Manning lost an overtime home playoff game in Denver. And he won it on an 80-yard touchdown pass. This happened. We were there." - Grantland.com's Bill Simmons

Insert maniacal snickering here.

"I was on the ground crying, like a little baby." - Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez after his first career playoff victory

Now how can you not root for someone like that to go all the way and win the Super Bowl?

"And, of course, Flacco threw the 70-yard answered prayer of a touchdown to Jones to force overtime. Pittsburgh has the Immaculate Reception. Baltimore, it's on you now: Name that play." - Si.com's Peter King

Oh come on, you are seriously not comparing Denver's blown coverage, and Flacco hoping to get lucky with a pass interference call, to one of the greatest plays in NFL history, are you?

"Contrary to reports, I have no plans on coaching. I plan on being with one team, and that is this team here at CBS." - CBS analyst Bill Cowher on The NFL Today

Ummm Bill, those reports came about because you said, I will return to coaching. What a jagoff.

"I don't want to be categorized." - 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when asked if he was a running or passing quarterback

Sorry Colin, but people are going to want to do that. It's the nature of how the media treats star players and guess what, you're a star now.

"It is my fault. When the play was on the line, I didn't make it for our team. If I would have made that play, we'd have been in here rejoicing. I'm speechless right now. I don't even know what to say." Broncos safety Rahim Moore on the blown coverage that allowed Baltimore to tie the game in the 4th quarter

Got himself Flaccoed.

"I kept playing it back in my head. It's like a bad dream that keeps playing over and over." - Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley

I couldn't agree more.

Idiot of the Week

There were some tasty choices this week. But no surprise there since everybody brings it for the playoffs.

My runner up, and almost winner, was this video from the good men and women of the Baltimore police department cheering on their Ravens. No, the absurdity and irony of law enforcement officials cheering on Ray Lewis was not lost on me.

But the real winner is Denver head coach John Fox. Twice in last week's loss to Baltimore, Fox had Peyton Manning kneel on the ball to end a quarter. Twice. Each time there was 30 + seconds on the clock and at least 2 timeouts available. Yet each time, instead of a few quick passes from one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history to get into field goal range, Fox chose to kneel.

Worse, near the end of the 4th quarter, the Broncos had a three play sequence in which all they did was run the ball three times, barely scraped time off the clock and gave the ball back to Baltimore with time left. Then, with that time, Baltimore proceeded to do the only thing they could, and the only thing Denver should have been defending against, throw a deep pass for a touchdown.

But the final straw for me is in the ensuing week, Fox not only defended his decision to have Manning kneel at the end of the game, but John Elway agreed with his play call. So for his inexplicable play calling, foolish defense of it and making his boss an accomplice to his excuses, John Fox you are an idiot.

On Tap This Week

Please no Har-Bowl, please no Har-Bowl, please no Har-Bowl....

Well, from the standpoint of a Steelers fan, just about every bad thing that could happen last weekend did. Ugh. Plus, I didn't do so well.

Last week: 1-3

Season to Date: 165-95

Yeah, there's always next week. But I'm running out of weeks.

Sunday

San Francisco (12-4-1) at Atlanta (14-3)

Ok, I'm sick of everyone saying that Jim Harbaugh is bold for changing quarterbacks mid season. How is that bold? What it really is him trying to cover up a mistake. Bold would have been just coming out and saying, you know what, I should have went with the other guy from training camp on. I'm fixing that. Or bold would have been not resigning Smith and just going with Kaepernick in the off season. Using Smith's concussion as an excuse to change quarterbacks isn't bold, its sneaky and cowardly. Because of this he will not win.

And on the other side, Atlanta finally got past the first hurdle of winning a playoff game. Watch what kind of confidence that builds in this team.

Falcons over 49ers

Baltimore (12-6) at New England (13-4)

Joe Flacco is now 7-4 in the playoffs and playing in his third AFC title game in five seasons. Hey, he'll be a free agent after the season, perhaps John Elway should give him a call.

Now, as if New England needed motivation, which they don't, Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo provided it. Ayanbadejo tweeted a bunch of smack talk about New England, and basically provided the team bulletin board material. Then, like a big chicken, he backed off his comments and apologized. Man, that's not how this works. Brendon, if you poke the bear you had best be ready to wrestle.

It matters not, though. Back in Week 3, New England lost to Baltimore and got jobbed in the process. I'm willing to bet that Bill Belichick remembers that quite vividly and will not let this opportunity to humiliate the Ravens pass by.

Patriots over Ravens