46-50
(2011-20015)
(2011-20015)
46. Gia 21, NE 17
Gia: PF 24.6, PA 25
NE: PF 32.1, PA 21.4
Line: Gia 2.5
Despite being, on average, about 11 pts better, a defensively weaker Patriots team went into the game nearly a fg dog, owing mostly to the first match-up and a general consensus that the Giants had become Brady and company poison.
New England was ahead by a point at halftime and by two leaving the third quarter as once again, inexplicably, a league leading offense couldn't impose itself on a less than frightening Giants defense and proponents of a close game were feeling justified. Not that Tom had a bad day, he just didn't have a Brady day, going 276 yds, 2 td and 1 int and an otherwise solid 91 rating, while Eli went 296 and a td, no picks and a 103 rating. Brady still managed a little magic late, leading an impossible drive from his own twenty with less than a minute left. He drove New England to the other half of the field, close enough for a Hail Mary that, batted, ended the game about a foot from the outstretched arms of Gronkowski.
47. Bal 34, SF 31
Bal PF 24.9, PA 21.5
SF PF 24.8, PA 17.1
Line: Bal 4
A terrific contest that didn't look like one at the half, with Baltimore up 21 to 6 over a struggling SF. Baltimore was up 28 to 6 in the second half before a power outage suspended play in an unprecedented SB moment. Well, 34 moments/minutes later the Niners exploded offensively with 17 unanswered and bringing the game within reach. SF had a last drive that moved to the Baltimore seven yard line before a Baltimore stop on downs that ended the collective breath held around the world.
48. Sea 43, Den 8
Sea PF 26.1, PA 14.4
Den PF 37.9, PA 24.9
Line: Sea 2
The Seahawks hit the playoffs like a sledgehammer, with one of the best defenses in memory and a solid, balanced offensive unit. On paper, the Denver offense looked up to the task, but insiders had watched the Broncos reducing Peyton's role for a few games going into the playoffs and there the question was whether Peyton was hurting or the Broncos were looking for a way to slow the game and help an injured and woefully performing defense. The answer was, yes. A few plays into the game and Peyton was throwing floaters, unable to generate any appreciable power and setting up a defense that didn't need help while Seattle moved the ball at will.
49. NE 28, Sea 24
NE PF 29.3, PA 19.6
Sea PF 24.6, PA 15.9
Line: Sea 1
The line looked about right to most people. Essentially a pick'em game going in. And after the embarrassing SB preceding everyone was ready for a game. Brady and Wilson and companies didn't disappoint. Tied 14 all at the half, the second half was a tale of two quarters.
Seattle came out in the third by driving 72 yards, only to be forced into a fg settle. Brady threw a pick on his next possession to give the ball back to Seattle at about midfield. Seattle drove again and, this time, made the drive count with a td, taking a ten point lead into the fourth. No team had ever overcome that large a deficit before.
New England was accustomed to making history. The Pats moved the ball over sixty yards to cut the Seahawks lead to 3. With seven minutes on the clock he got another chance and led another drive to take the lead. Now the fate of New England rested in the hands of its defense.
Seattle started on its own twenty. Wilson immediately hit Lynch on a pass that ended 31 yards later. Pats nation held their breath. Wilson then hit a drive sustaining 11 yard completion to Lockette on third down. A remarkable who has the ball pass downfield to Kearse led to the Seahawks on the Pats five yard down with a first down and over a minute to play. The next play was a Lynch handoff that netted four yards and rested the ball on the one yard line. It appeared as though the most entertaining SB in a long while was going to end with a last second lead change...and then Seattle folded on the coaches side with an inexplicable pass play ending in an interception. A play that will likely remain one of if not the most derided and incomprehensible call in SB history. Game over.
50. Car 10, Den 24
Car: PF 31.3, PA 19.3
Den: PF 22.2, PA 18.5
Line: Car 5.5
The Panthers came in to a nearly unanimous opinion in line with the point spread, which many saw as being overly generous to the Broncos...what a difference a game makes. Cam and company put up a fine defensive struggle, though Denver out performed its season average. But then the league leading offense ran into the wall of Denver and realized the only reason the Broncos D had a respectable but less than frightening average against was the time they'd been put on the field by their offense. And with special teams help plus some timely assists by Manning and company, that group dominated the game, even managing a score of their own.
Peyton is likely done and this was by no means a typical Peyton effort. He finished with the fourth worst SB rating in his worst statistical year, but he moved the ball enough and set up enough scoring to help his team win. Cam will be ridiculed by some, but he was only one point poorer in his qbr performance than Tom Brady in his outing in the AFC Championship game. No, this was a return to that Ray Lewis led Ravens team, with Peyton giving the stirring speech and doing what he could while a wave of defensive talent sealed their place in NFL history. A team win...and ultimately that may be the best way Manning could have left the game.
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