I was gone for most of the games, the best part of the first game and the beginning of the second game, but I taped them both and went over the tape when I returned home. Unfortunately, the double overtime game didn't record because with all our technology advancement we still can't run over the time when the program is still on.
Saturday -
Peyton - I thought he seemed shaky in the beginning, jittering around in the pocket like he had to go to the bathroom. He had a lot of short passes and not as many long passes in the beginning. Peyton is best when he can throw it long, but the Ravens defense was all over the field. The interception at the end was unfortunate and not the way I wanted the season to end for Peyton. Sigh. However, he and his family waited in the locker room to congratulate and talk to Ray Lewis after all the interviews. That is class and that is Peyton Manning and that is why I love him so. He should be the ambassador to all incoming drafted quarterbacks to show them how they should conduct themselves in the NFL.
Defense - The game was as defensive as it was offensive. Ray Lewis was a monster with 17 tackles, and the Broncos in the beginning were stuffing players left and right. They both stepped up in the double overtimes, but the Ravens came out the winner when Manning made his dumb throw across the body and the Ravens Corey Graham intercepted.
Joe Flacco - As much as I despise the Ravens, I have got to acknowledge that their quarterback is slowly and steadily making himself into somebody. Where defenders use to be able to crawl inside his head and destroy, Flacco has made changes and now stands and steady against the defense. His 70 yard pass to Jacoby Jones for the tying touchdown with 41 seconds left on the clock was actually pure Peyton Manning, and by far the best play of the game. His confidence now is straight and this team will be unbeatable.
Trendon Holliday - How cool was this little guy running punt returns 90 and 104 yards for touchdowns weaving through the crowd and shaking off tackles? So amazing to watch. He was like a little animal running for his life, but he made it look so effortless.
Ravens - I never understood why the Ravens were underdogs. I went back and forth on my picks, but at the last moment went with my heart. From the moment Ray Lewis announced his retirement I knew the Ravens were the team to beat. I was just hoping they wouldn't. But they are the AFC's best and will be in New Orleans.
Colin Kaepernick - Holy shit did that guy put on a show or what? I have to say that it was the most amazing play from a quarterback I've ever seen. He ran for yardage and touchdowns like a running back. He threw bombs and touchdowns with confidence like the greats now in the Hall of Fame. He had absolutely no fear and just looked like a kid out playing backyard football for fun. It was fantastic football and a treat to watch, and those tattoos make that little guy scary as hell.
Defense - The 49ers defense showed up and pretty much knocked guys to the turf just standing there. The Packers defense was spotty and for the most part not in existence. I thought they just totally deflated as they watched Kaepernick run and gun in the second half. Can't win games without your defense.
Fights - In the fourth quarter the Packers realized they were beat and they started making bigger pushes and shoves in tackling both offensively and defensively. The 49ers didn't take that we'll and they began mouthing off and pushing and shoving back. The refs did a good job stopping anything major, because it suddenly was brutal on the field with a lot of testosterone and anger. Whew. It was a relief when it was finally over.
Sunday -
Seahawks - They were lost in the first half and the Falcons ran circles around them. They were so shocked they were shaking their heads as they headed into the locker room at halftime after blowing a chance to score. There Pete Carroll gave one of his rousing you-aren't-done-yet speeches and the little team that could came back from a twenty point deficit to take the lead 28-27 with less than a minute to go.
Matts - And then came Matt Ryan with two clutch throws that got Atlanta close enough with 8 seconds on the clock to send out kicker, former Tampa Bay kicker, Matt Bryant who, after missing a practice kick when Seattle called a time out, then iced it through the uprights.
Atlanta - This team came out running, punching, throwing, catching all in an attempt to shut up the naysayers, and at the half it looked like they had done the trick. Not sure why they made that kick at the end that gave the Seahawks the ball with time still left on the clock, but since they won it won't matter now.
Russell Wilson - Freakin' Rookie of the Year dammit! He led this team back in the fourth quarter looking like the Colin Kaepernick the way he got away from tackles. He is so cool and mature for a rookie. He just is amazing and impressive. I'm sorry he didn't win, but what a great comeback.
Last game - Ugh. Boring. Didn't these teams watch the previous three games?
Rob Gronkowski - The Patriots tight end re-injuried his arm in the first quarter and never made it back. He missed six games this season due to a broken forearm and the Patriots had some scoring troubles. They seem to have that worked out now. Not thinking the Gronkowski loss will be a problem.
Jets GM - According to Fox's Jay Glazer, the Jets can't give the job away. Hmmm...that is a flag for sure and maybe the owners need to sit back down at the drawing table and take a look at their coach one more time. Something ain't right in there and you had better start looking at the man at the helm.
Golden Globes - Kudos to the hostesses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler who were fab and hilarious. Props to Will Ferrell and Kristen Whig who were entertaining and funny. And I loved Robert Downey Jr.'s intro for Jodie Foster, and Jodie Foster's speech. What a speech!
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