Official Conference Title Games Thread

[Joemailman]

Falcons up early 7-0. Looks like Ryan will be airing it out all day.

[denverYooper]

Atlanta just sent a DL to the deep middle on that?

[RashanGary]

Eh, just got the wind knocked out of him.

[RashanGary]

I hope Erin is watching this and taking notes.

[denverYooper]

The way the NFL has gone this year, I won't be surprised in the least if the Falcons roll the 9ers.

[denverYooper]

Julio Jones is entering ridiculous mode.

[Teamcheez1]

I hope the Falcons roll. They have never won a SB, and I can't bring myself to root for the 49'ers, Patriots or Ravens.

[RashanGary]

Uh-Oh SF

[RashanGary]

I'm liking Matt Ryan. I watched a SB replay a couple weeks ago with Aikman. Reminds me a lot of Aikman right now. Aikman-Irvin. . . .

[denverYooper]

Jeez, now the 9ers STs are putting the ball on the ground. Shoe's on the other foot so far this week.

[denverYooper]

Atlanta's defense is doing a lot of moving, lots of disguise.

[Teamcheez1]

Atlanta's defense is doing a lot of moving, lots of disguise.

Imagine a defensive coordinator scheming and adjusting to win a game?

[denverYooper]

This undersized fancy-pants Defense sure is playing a physical game.

[Guiness]

Julio Jones is entering ridiculous mode.

100 yards in the first quarter!

[denverYooper]

Julio Jones is entering ridiculous mode.

Check that, make it Ri-GODDAMN-diculous mode.

[pbmax]

Atlanta's defense is doing a lot of moving, lots of disguise.

Playing a lot of zone and rushing four with no one getting deep.

[packers11]

100 yards in the first quarter!

Julio is a guy you have to scheme against... Like a Calvin and AJ Green... Thats why I don't think paying Jennings "top dollar" is worth it... These guys are on another level...

[mmmdk]

Watching Falcons makes me want some of Packers coaches gone even more!

[denverYooper]

Clearly TT could have greatly improved the physicality of this team by trading a bunch of picks to move up and draft a big, physical receiver.

[packers11]

Clearly TT could have greatly improved the physicality of this team by trading a bunch of picks to move up and draft a big, physical receiver.

Will it help the packers defense make a stop??? :roll:

[denverYooper]

Playing a lot of zone and rushing four with no one getting deep.

Yeah, saw one play on the first series they sent Bierman to the deep middle. Another one on the second or third where they bunched 3 defenders to the left and then sent a CB/S on the right.

[denverYooper]

Will it help the packers defense make a stop??? :roll:

That would help too. I'm just trying on different potential JS storylines :).

[pbmax]

The pass defensed on 49er 1st or 2nd drive that forced a punt was a d lineman in coverage like a ILB.

[pbmax]

OPI

[pbmax]

49er TD was a college inverted veer option:

http://smartfootball.com/run-game/what-is-the-inverted-veer-dash-read

[packers11]

That would help too. I'm just trying on different potential JS storylines :).

haha touche...


OPI

Right??? Some players are sneaky good at getting away with it...

In other news ... If you want to ruin your day go look in the thread I just posted about Worthy... Guess they are just getting started for 2013...

[denverYooper]

Another good shove there by 15.

[denverYooper]

How quickly things change.

[denverYooper]

Finley needs to have a long conversation with Vernon Davis about how being an effective and consistent blocker can open up things in the passing game.

[pbmax]

Chris Ault, former Nevada coach, tells us Aaron Rodgers could be great in the pistol.

[denverYooper]

Chris Ault, former Nevada coach, tells us Aaron Rodgers could be great in the pistol.

Great relative to what? He could be even better in the pistol than he has been?

I'd heard that Rodgers made some interested comments on his show this week but haven't had the time to check it out.

[pbmax]

Great relative to what? He could be even better in the pistol than he has been?

I'd heard that Rodgers made some interested comments on his show this week but haven't had the time to check it out.

I read that he wasn't too interested in the read option

[pbmax]

Chris Ault, former Nevada coach, tells us Aaron Rodgers could be great in the pistol.


Great relative to what? He could be even better in the pistol than he has been?

I'd heard that Rodgers made some interested comments on his show this week but haven't had the time to check it out.


I read that he wasn't too interested in the read option

Ault's commentary on Pistol and Rodgers. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/sports/football/nfc-49ers-colin-kaepernick-takes-nevada-offense-to-big-stage.html?pagewanted=3&_r=2&ref=gregbishop

[pbmax]

This just in: Anyone who says bye week and home field are not worth it need to have their head examined.

[Rutnstrut]

This just in: Anyone who says bye week and home field are not worth it need to have their head examined.

They would be the same ones that say a solid running game and defense is not needed when you have Rodgers.

[denverYooper]

Crosby'd it.

[pbmax]

They would be the same ones that say a solid running game and defense is not needed when you have Rodgers.

Yeah, that Falcon running game is scoring huge points today.

[pbmax]

Crosby'd it.

I had same thought. Got a nice good Mason like sound as well. Deep gong.

[pbmax]

A very Packer like defensive penalty for a first down.

A very unlike Packer call of hit to QB helmet.

[denverYooper]

A very Packer like defensive penalty for a first down.

A very unlike Packer call of hit to QB helmet.

Tramon was nowhere to be found.

[denverYooper]

The Falcons just started tackling like Green Bay, too.

[Guiness]

Great relative to what? He could be even better in the pistol than he has been?



+1

cause...we're unhappy with his performance in the system he's in???

[pbmax]

That was the best fumble pileup in a long time. A second of hesitation then 12 bodies immediately in the pile.

[Guiness]

Been working this afternoon, and just checked back in on the game. Wow, 17-0, Julio with 100 yards receiving shortly after the end of the first Q. Now it's 24-21 with the Falcons backed up on their own 1!

[pbmax]

Been working this afternoon, and just checked back in on the game. Wow, 17-0, Julio with 100 yards receiving shortly after the end of the first Q. Now it's 24-21 with the Falcons backed up on their own 1!

Two midfield turnovers by Birds.

[RashanGary]

34 plays on offense for SF so far. 46 for ATL. . . .

It's a very close game. You get the feeling SF has the edge right now. ATL has to control the ball a little bit more and they could wear them down. . . . Great game. I'm hoping for ATL, but SF is lookingn better right now.

[pbmax]

Kyle Jones ‏@Jones
@smartfootball @RossRFulton SF is yet to run out of pistol w either Walker or Davis at FB, wonder if/when ATL notices

[pbmax]

Kyle Jones ‏@Jones
@smartfootball @RossRFulton SF is yet to run out of pistol w either Walker or Davis at FB, wonder if/when ATL notices

NOt so much anymore Kyle.

[Joemailman]

34 plays on offense for SF so far. 46 for ATL. . . .

It's a very close game. You get the feeling SF has the edge right now. ATL has to control the ball a little bit more and they could wear them down. . . . Great game. I'm hoping for ATL, but SF is lookingn better right now.

Atlanta is finding out it's hard to protect a lead against a quality opponent when you don't have much of a running game.

[pbmax]

That was close but incomplete

[pbmax]

Atlanta is finding out it's hard to protect a lead against a quality opponent when you don't have much of a running game.

Turnovers hurt worse.

[rdanomly]

That was close but incomplete

Did SF get hosed with the call?

[denverYooper]

Turnovers hurt worse.

Definitely.

[Joemailman]

nm

[pbmax]

Did SF get hosed with the call?

Yes. That was definitely incomplete. The ball squirted out of each hand and he regained control after it hit the ground.

[Teamcheez1]

Falcons - always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Feel bad for Tony Gonzalez.

Matt Ryan now 1-4 in the playoffs.

[Joemailman]

Matty Ice with a bad second half.

[pbmax]

nm

Because then you need to recover an onside kick and the odds of that are less than 20%. Falcons could have gotten a first down or a TD. Better odds on either of those.

[Joemailman]

Because then you need to recover an onside kick and the odds of that are less than 20%. Falcons could have gotten a first down or a TD. Better odds on either of those.

Yeah, I had actually lost track of how much time was left. :oops:

[pbmax]

http://i.imgur.com/dVHgK6N.gif

[Guiness]

Because then you need to recover an onside kick and the odds of that are less than 20%. Falcons could have gotten a first down or a TD. Better odds on either of those.

Yup, rock and a hard place for Atlanta there. Ryan had people in his face, and wouldn't/couldn't stand in there to find a better option so forced the ball to a well covered White - who had an LB draped over his back. The hit he took on the previous down had something to do with that, I thought it looked like a penalty. Ryan was driven into the ground pretty well after the ball was out of his hands.

[pittstang5]

So once again, the Packers lost to the team representing the NFC in the Superbowl.

Not sure if that's supposed to make me feel better or not.

[pbmax]

If its a double Harbaugh Super Bowl, I think I will follow soccer and NASCAR for a while.

[mmmdk]

Did SF get hosed with the call?

They got it back on the defensive holding no call on 4th down on Falcons last drive; I sure hate refs blowing calls! But none of the calls/non calls in this game were huge.

[mmmdk]

If its a double Harbaugh Super Bowl, I think I will follow soccer and NASCAR for a while.

I agree! Watch Euro football...can't watch the hamsters on a wheel version of motorsports called nascar. Formula 1 & Le Mans.

[pbmax]

PRoblem with defenseless receiver rule?

Hernandez just dove head first into Ray Lewis to draw the penalty.

[Joemailman]

PRoblem with defenseless receiver rule?

Hernandez just dove head first into Ray Lewis to draw the penalty.

I'm not sure what Lewis could have done to avoid helmet-to helmet contact. Become a turtle?

[Bretsky]

PRoblem with defenseless receiver rule?

Hernandez just dove head first into Ray Lewis to draw the penalty.

Gosh....I'm not sure that's how I saw it. It looked like Lewis threw himself in there head first

The stars may have just aligned well for a Ravens upset. Talib looks to be out for the game....so Hoody is going to have to adjust his game plan quite a bit. The CB's are not good enough to cover the Raven's WR's w/o Talib so Hoody will need to give them lots of help.

The Patriots REALLY miss Gronk

[pbmax]

Gosh....I'm not sure that's how I saw it. It looked like Lewis threw himself in there head first

The stars may have just aligned well for a Ravens upset. Talib looks to be out for the game....so Hoody is going to have to adjust his game plan quite a bit. The CB's are not good enough to cover the Raven's WR's w/o Talib so Hoody will need to give them lots of help.

The Patriots REALLY miss Gronk

He did. Which is why Hernandez went low to accept the hit above his shoulders. He had to get lower to get that angle. Lewis did not redirect.

[Pugger]

Clearly TT could have greatly improved the physicality of this team by trading a bunch of picks to move up and draft a big, physical receiver.

Yes, Jones was beastly but he wasn't enough so Atlanta DID pay too much for him.

[Joemailman]

Brady with an attempted kick as he slid. That should draw a flag.

[Pugger]

Two midfield turnovers by Birds.

Those 2 turnovers and 2 personal foul penalties did Atlanta in.

[Pugger]

Atlanta is finding out it's hard to protect a lead against a quality opponent when you don't have much of a running game.

M. Turner left the game with an ankle injury so that hurt their running game.

[pbmax]

Ravens offense as maddening as the Packers sometimes.

[pbmax]

Ridley was lights out after that hit as he went to the ground.

[denverYooper]

And we're a little bit closer to the Harbowl.

[denverYooper]

The Ravens keep drawing pretty large underdog spreads and outplaying them.

[denverYooper]

Flacco is making himself some serious cash.

[pbmax]

New Brady slide technique.

http://i.imgur.com/r1mf5Tu.jpg

[pbmax]

The Ravens keep drawing pretty large underdog spreads and outplaying them.

The D was fairly mediocre for a good part of the season and the O always seems to be stuck between gears.

[digitaldean]

Flacco looking pretty impressive and Ravens D playing pretty tough. I'd be cheering for NE or Balt anyway. Can't stand that ass Jim Harbaugh. John isn't much better suppose.

[digitaldean]

Wow. Brady could have run for that first down. Big turnover on downs for ravens. Barring a turnover baltimore is almost a cinch to close this out.

[denverYooper]

Ravens offense as maddening as the Packers sometimes.

O you mean like right there where they only took a minute off of the clock with a score lead?

[digitaldean]

Blown ravens coverage but nice turnover next play by Brady. Tipped ball by D

[Joemailman]

The Patriots REALLY miss Gronk

Yep. Without him, their receiver corp is quite ordinary. Brady is the only reason they're a playoff team.

[Bretsky]

Gosh....I'm not sure that's how I saw it. It looked like Lewis threw himself in there head first

The stars may have just aligned well for a Ravens upset. Talib looks to be out for the game....so Hoody is going to have to adjust his game plan quite a bit. The CB's are not good enough to cover the Raven's WR's w/o Talib so Hoody will need to give them lots of help.

The Patriots REALLY miss Gronk


Foreshadowing...........once Talib was done so were the Patriots. It was just a matter of time.

[Bretsky]

So once again, the Packers lost to the team representing the NFC in the Superbowl.

Not sure if that's supposed to make me feel better or not.


Once again, IMO Green Bay lost to the team who will win the SB

[Bretsky]

Yep. Without him, their receiver corp is quite ordinary. Brady is the only reason they're a playoff team.

that and the coaching staff there

[denverYooper]

Foreshadowing...........once Talib was done so were the Patriots. It was just a matter of time.

Can we say the same about Bishop for the Packers?

[denverYooper]

There's about to be another disappointing season for the non-cheating version of the Patriots.

[pbmax]

Foreshadowing...........once Talib was done so were the Patriots. It was just a matter of time.

Offense shot itself in the foot several times. TOs, Welker's drop, no timeout before field goal with 14 seconds left in half. Bad Solder penalty on 3 man rush.

Defense held together respectably without him, even if they weren't the same.

[pbmax]

that and the coaching staff there

C'mon fanboy, they looked like Bielema at the end of the half. Well, except they still had a TO to call.

[digitaldean]

Classy by Hoodie. Loses game fair and square and has no guts for post game interview on CBS. May not be a big thing, but kind of immature. The Ray-Ray retirement tour is gonna get real tired over 2 weeks, so will the brother vs. brother angle.

[Guiness]

Ridley was lights out after that hit as he went to the ground.

Sure looked that way. I think he was out cold.

[Guiness]

Classy by Hoodie. Loses game fair and square and has no guts for post game interview on CBS. May not be a big thing, but kind of immature. The Ray-Ray retirement tour is gonna get real tired over 2 weeks, so will the brother vs. brother angle.

Studio announcer took him to task for it - Shannon Sharpe I believe? Said Belicheck makes it easy to dislike the Patriots - you can't be a sore loser every time. It's the NFL, you're not going to win them all and people dislike a sore loser.

edit: found the quote. It was Shannon

Bill Belichick makes it real easy for you to root against the Patriots. You can’t be a poor sport all the time. You’re not gonna win all the time. And he does this every time he loses. It is unacceptable.

[JohnMexico]

So much for a pass dominated league.

[Joemailman]

So much for a pass dominated league.

Trailing at halftime, Ravens mostly abandoned the run and turned Flacco loose. He had 3 2nd half TD passes to win the game. Being able to run is helpful, but you usually have to be able to pass to score.

[Pugger]

Flacco looking pretty impressive and Ravens D playing pretty tough. I'd be cheering for NE or Balt anyway. Can't stand that ass Jim Harbaugh. John isn't much better suppose.

John is not as annoying as his little brother. :p

[mraynrand]

Super HairBall!

[smuggler]

I agree, I think John's the more likeable. However, Jim may be the better coach. Not sure there. I think the 49ers are the better team, and would be even more of a classic favorite if not for Kapernick being a 1st year starter.

[Pugger]

Trailing at halftime, Ravens mostly abandoned the run and turned Flacco loose. He had 3 2nd half TD passes to win the game. Being able to run is helpful, but you usually have to be able to pass to score.

Kaepernick was throwing nice nice passes to Davis yesterday. So you do have to be able to pass to win in this league. Just ask Leslie Frasier.

[denverYooper]

I agree, I think John's the more likeable. However, Jim may be the better coach. Not sure there. I think the 49ers are the better team, and would be even more of a classic favorite if not for Kapernick being a 1st year starter.

Jim came on to a stocked team with a D that was peaking. He and Roman have done a lot of creative things offensively but it remains to be seen whether he is going to pull a Chucky with San Fran.