Weekend Sports Open Thread
It's a busy sports weekend, but all eyes will be on the NFL conference championships Sunday to see who'll go to the Super Bowl.
Can the 49ers pull off one of the greatest single season turnarounds by beating the Giants?
Can the Ravens beat the odds with a win over the mighty Patriots?
Anything else you want to chat about sportswise?
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Comments
⇒ Please win, Niners!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 11:45am.
Nancy Pelosi is eager to showcase her "Occupy The Superbowl" friends.
"God bless them" - Nancy Pelosi, a champion of rapists, murderers, and now rats.
GO RAT BIRDS, GO 49ERS I
Submitted by ricklail on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 11:49am.
GO RAT BIRDS, GO 49ERS
I would like to see this match up again. Very few people got to see it on 11/24 because it was on the NFL channel. Can you imagine the hype over brother vs brother even though neither one will suit up and take the field?
Giants are going to the Superbowl
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:02pm.
Says Joe Biden to a SF crowd
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82622872/article/biden-to-san-fran...
Ya gotta hand it to ol' Plugs
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:45am.
Ya gotta hand it to ol' Plugs - he's about as glib as his boss when it comes to off-the-cuff speaking, but for some reason, Biden is laughed off as 'just being Joe', while nobody in the MSM dares to make anything of Boy Barry's gaffes.
Mercy!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:05pm.
Can the 49ers pull off one of the greatest single season turnarounds by beating the Giants?
Hell, if the 49er's can't beat a baseball team, they don't deserve to go to the Super Bowl! (re: Joe Boy Biden, 2012)
As an NFL fanatic and Baltimore native,
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:52pm.
I'm all over this one.
Ravens are dogs going into this game and rightly so. We're the two seed, they're the one. The game is in their house. All four of the Ravens losses came on the road. It's Tom Brady vs. Joe Flacco.
But, there are other things to consider. The Patriots are 2-2 vs. playoff teams this year having beaten the Broncos twice and lost to the Steelers and Giants. The Ravens are 7-0 vs. playoff teams having beaten the Steelers twice, the Bengals twice, and the Texans twice. The other win came on Thanksgiving night against the remaining top seed in the NFC, the 49ers.
Baltimore went to NE two years ago and stomped Brady and the girls 33-14 in a playoff game. Granted, we've not fared well otherwise, losing 6 of 7, but the six losses were all less than a touchdown differential. In other words, we always play the Patriots tough.
Our losses did come on the road this year (we were 4-4 away from M&T) but we also beat the Steelers on a Sunday night in Pittsburgh. The losses were frustrating for Ravens fans since they were games we should have won -on paper- but two of them were cross-country trips (Seattle and San Diego) and one was on a Monday night (Jax) which historically has been a huge home-field advantage. Still, poor losses all. On the other hand, NE lost a game at home this year to the Giants, a team built similarly to the Ravens with a mediocre offense and strong defense.
There's no question Tom Lady is one of the best QB's in football. There's real talent there, as well as a history of excessive protection from officials. He's got a good receiver corps in Welker and the two TE's, but not much in the way of speed. If the Ravens can get pressure on him, he's in trouble. The Ravens were second in the league with 48 sacks on the season.
And Joe Flacco isn't the slouch he's made out to be. He absorbed the poor QB reputation Baltimore has had, and he hasn't won a Super Bowl. But, he's won more games (44) in his first four years in the league than any NFL QB in history. He's also won 5 playoff games, four on the road. Our offense isn't flashy in a "flashy offense" league. But Drew Brees will be watching this game, and so will Aaron Rogers, Ben Rothlesburger, Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford; all quarterbacks considered on a higher level than Joe. Here's Joe's stats compared to the four remaining QB's in their first four years in the league:
What does all this mean? Nothing. That's why they play the game. Go Ravens! Bring the Pain.
Oh yeah. I've got the Giants in the other game only because I'd hate for the Harbaugh family to have to endure a John vs. Jim Super Bowl. I'm also fine with a Super Bowl XXXV rematch.
I'm rootin' for the Ravens as well...
Submitted by Kaleidoscopic God on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 9:09pm.
...if only because I want to see the Pats lose and Brady breaks down into tears.
Another thing that Baltimore
Submitted by gfrrman on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 10:01pm.
Ravens can bring to the field that N.E. can't is a murderer......RAY LEWIS.. be proud
g
Wow
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:09am.
that's refreshing. You win the asshat award.
Sorry, Bk...
Submitted by Kaleidoscopic God on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:50pm.
...As long as Jer is alive, that won't be the case.
I give the "asshat" award
Submitted by gfrrman on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 2:13am.
to Ray Lewis, the murderer, in return.
thank you
g
I apologize
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 4:15pm.
I didn't realize you were still in high school. I didn't mean to use that language in reference to a minor.
Whooaahh
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:07pm.
Hang on there a second, Flacco may be great and all, but because Brees, and Rogers and others are at home dont mean Joe's is better. Without your D, how many wins you got, with say, the Saints or GB's D?
Didn't say he was better Boudin
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:16pm.
Just said he gets a lot of grief as being just a game manager when he's clearly much better than that. I think he proved it today.
Very good,
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:31pm.
Joe played well,
I really no-longer have a dog in this hunt as all my teams lost
Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 1:09pm.
I expect 49ers/Giants to be a really good game. I like both teams, but I have to give the nod to SF because they are playing at home.
As far as the Ravens and Patriots go, I haven't seen Baltimore play this season, and have only seen the Patriots once. I have to give the edge to New England because they are playing at home, too.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Just heard, Joe Pa has passed
Submitted by ricklail on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:16am.
I hope he will be remembered as Joe Pa the great coach and not the last few months of scandal . I remember the Bear didn't live long after he retired. Neither of these men got to enjoy retirement.
SORRY
Submitted by ricklail on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:19am.
I should have known better after the Dan Rather crap at CBS than to believe them. Joe Pa is not dead but he is in very serious condition. Some reports say he is on life support.
G-MEN!!!!!!
Submitted by NC Cop on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 10:15pm.
I hope.......I pray!!!!
OK, NC............the Pack
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:42am.
OK, NC............the Pack packed it in last week, and the Giants took advantage of their mistakes, and also played a pretty good game - but I'm also a Niner guy from way back - so we're at odds on this one. And what's with the 'praying'???? Tebow's back at home now - to paraphrase ZZ Topp - 'Jesus Just Left Denver'!!!
I'm also pulling for the Patriots - who seem to cultivate a 'love them or hate them' type of following - but being over here in the Pacific, I don't know why. The Ravens are a good team, from what I've seen........but I'm not sure of their offense, although I know that the Pats defense isn't high ranked.
That's putting it mildly.
Submitted by Rupert Cadell on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:27pm.
That's putting it mildly. Pats defense has been pretty atrocious. Yet, our offense is SO world-class awesome right now that the last two games were 49-21 & 45-10. I don't see Flacco outscoring that, even if the Pats secondary is full of holes.
Sandusky's main enabler dead at 85
Submitted by Dave. on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:09pm.
R.I.P.
Rot In Perdition.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
By trusting CBS Sports I was
Submitted by ricklail on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:07pm.
By trusting CBS Sports I was a bit premature in announcing his death last night. The Sandusky thing shouldn't over shadow his accomplishments but it will.
rick, I grew up believing Joe Paterno was second only to God
Submitted by Dave. on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:23pm.
He was at the top of my list of heroes.
There is no way he didn't know what Sandusky was up to, as fleas didn't so much as fornicate in State College without him knowing about it.
Had he barred the scum-sucking bastard from the campus I would feel differently.
But he didn't, and I don't.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
But but but but
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 9:29am.
JoePa was a great man is all I hear in Pennsylvania.
He was a flawed man who let football take precedence over the lives of children. I'm not popular here with my attitude.
49ers-Pats Super Bowl is both
Submitted by Rupert Cadell on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:24pm.
49ers-Pats Super Bowl is both my prediction and my hope.
If that 9ers defense can stop Brees and the Saints, no way Manning is going to produce much against them. And Smith has really come into his own the last several games. I got 9ers by 14.
Pats have simply been on fire (and they're my team, so yeah, I'm biased). Their wins against the Bills and Broncos (admittedly, both of which were overrated this season imho) were absolute wallopings. Unless the rumors about Brady's arm are worse than I've heard, I predict a multi-touchdown win.
C'MON
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:08pm.
C'MON BALTIMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patriots/Ravens is a great game!
Submitted by Blonde on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:06pm.
3 point game with 44 seconds, Ravens driving.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
OT?
Submitted by Blonde on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:09pm.
OMO!
Ravens miss the 32 yd FG.
Sorry BK. I was hoping they'd get the tie (and the win) for your sake.
Although I have enjoyed watching my Gators shine for the Patriots, Spikes, Cunningham, Warren, & Hernandez (who I wish was on the receiving end of Tebow's passes).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I LOATHE the New England
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:11pm.
I LOATHE the New England Patriots.
Don't hold back, Scoob,
Submitted by UpNorth on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:31pm.
tell us what you really think of the Pats.
Raven fans
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:58pm.
Can probably appreciate how us Saints fans feel. Tough losing like that.
Which was worse, though, Boudin?
Submitted by Blonde on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:11pm.
I think I'd rather lose in a Ravens style loss than what happened to LSU earlier this month. That one's going to sting for years.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Yep,
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:31pm.
: [
Till we win the NC I'm sure. Maybe a whole year!
Look on the bright side...
Submitted by Kaleidoscopic God on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 8:06pm.
We get to see the Pats lose the super bowl.
All tied up with 5:29 to play
Submitted by Dave. on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:41pm.
Great game so far.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Nail biter of a
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:01pm.
Nail biter of a game.
GO GIANTS!!!!!
Scoob,
Submitted by Dave. on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:23pm.
LOL - I don't think anybody wants to win this thing.
All playoff games should be like this.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
I was going to agree with ya
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:26pm.
I was going to agree with ya Dave until I saw the Giants just recover that punt!!!
Yikes!
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:29pm.
49'rs look like their going to take in on the chin here.
The Giants should keep with
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:30pm.
The Giants should keep with the running game at this point.
Oh Dude
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:50pm.
GIANTS RULE!!!!!!!!!!
That sucked!!!
Submitted by killa37 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:00am.
That sucked!!! Heinous.............rhymes with anus!!! The refs took away a fumble that could have led to a field goal or touchdown. And that #10 kid WILL be unemployed tomorrow - after messing up TWO punts!!!
I NEED A FRIGGIN' DRINK!!
At this point, I want the Pats to lay the Giants to waste!!! Sorry to all you Giant fans - it's not personal. And, in all honesty, the Niner offense SUCKED!!!
I'm on my second black cherry/vodka - and it's not even 6 PM yet!!!
Well, since Noel Sheppard
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:03am.
was rooting against my Ravens today, I'm glad to see his 49'ers got beat at home.
Shame for my guys though; they had their chances. They outplayed the Pats for all but a few plays, and could have won it on another Flacco-led 2-minute comback were it not for a drop in the endzone. (Though, I'm not so sure that was a drop. Seems like he had possession with two feet down. Why the booth didn't call for a review is anybody's guess.) Then on the next play, our receiver was held by the Pats D-back as he had two hands gripping his jersey from the back. They called a illegal contact penalty against us early in the game, but not on them. Oh well, we're used to it in Baltimore.
Damned shame to lose on a missed FG; I feel bad for Billy Cundiff.
Ultimately though, we were out-coached; something we've dealt with all season.
BK
Submitted by Noel Sheppard on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 2:10am.
BK,
I was rooting for the Ravens. Not sure why you thought otherwise. ns
Ah Noel,
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 4:23pm.
stupid Twitter.
One, and Two. I made the assumption.
Oh hell
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:04am.
Now my son is going to want to call in sick to work since the Giants are in the Superbowl and what does a responsible mother say? Sure go ahead it's your team, or no way you have to be responsible.
Any ideas guys?
"Responsible"
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 2:36am.
Too many people out of work to be self indulgent.
Alas.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Thanks Blonde
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 8:31pm.
That is my instinct, but I always seem to be swimming against the tide. Once in a great while I need reinforcement.
NY Football Giants
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:39am.
Can't stop smiling!