Last year, both the Jims and the Johns were denied entrance to the Super Bowl. Jim on a couple botched punt returns, and John on a late TD that was knocked out of the WRs hands, and the inimitable Billy (wrong way) Cundiff’s missed chip shot to send the game into overtime. This year both have made it to the doorstep once again. In fact 3 of the 4 teams in these conference champioinship games are the same. Only the Atlantas have crashed the party.
I’m of the mind that Atlanta won their super bowl last week. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat by parlaying a 31 yard punt return into a couple 25 yard passes to get into field goal range with 31 ticks left on the clock. Natty Ice WAS pretty natty on those 2 clutch passes, and Seattle even played it right by blitzing both plays. Still and all, I don’t think Atlanta is all that spectacular. Ryan was uneven at best last week, but he did hit big plays down field. Their run game, while decent, isn’t going to get too much against the Niners, now that Justin Smith, who was in 98% of the plays last week, is back in the saddle. He says he feels better, and didn’t suffer any setbacks with his injured arm. I think the Niners will rattle Natty more than the job they did against Rodgers last week. No running for Atlanta, and slowing their passing game equals short Atlanta drives.
Atlanta on the other hand offers a much different look defensively than the Packers. The Pack plays a lot of man-to-man. So this opened up the running lanes for Kaepernick when he couldn’t find a WR to throw to. Atlanta also did well to keep Russell Wilson fairly contained from breaking off any big runs. Stll and all, during crunch time, Seattle ran the ball tough, and Wilson made the throws to get Seattle ahead with little time left. Matty made one terrible throw that was easily picked off and aided in the comeback. As I’ve said, i think the Niners come out running. I think Mike Nolan comes out with his nickel package to start the game. If he does, the Niners will run up the middle. Pound it with Gore, and get LMJ to the edge with some screens and a sweep or 2. Our O line is on a roll, and we have been running pretty well recently.
If Teflon Mike comes out loading up the box, then it’s time to get VD involved. As well as Moss. Take some deep shots, and give Crabs his opportunities. I think the Niners can grind down Atlanta much as they ground down the Packers. I also like last week’s call. 31-17 Niners.
As far as the AFC game goes, I think Balt finally gets over the hump. Flacco had a good game against a tough Denver defense (even if Denver threw the game away late), while the Pats had a fairly easy time against the Houstons. Funny thing is, it would be pretty sweet to deny Tom Brady his 4th Super Bowl victory if the Niners beat them in the Super Bowl. If the team he grew up idolizing stopped him yet again in his attempt to tie Montana and Bradshaw for the Niners 6th Super Bowl title?
Epic. Then again, be careful what you wish for . . .
Forty Niners Forever 
Chuck – you totally missed it. Right now isn’t about, “The Bro Bowl.” Right now is all about how we are going to crush the Falcons. Who will the starts be? What will the score be? How are the 49ers going to match up with Julio and Roddy? Can one man tackle Micheal Turner? Or does he need to be gang banged?
People are bored at work thinking about this upcoming game and you give them, “The Bro Bowl?” Come on, dude. Pull the crazy train over for a minute and get your act together. You have a responsibility to all of us. This isn’t just the regular season. It’s the NFC Championship.
Don’t like it? Start your own blog.
.
Oh yeah . . .
Running a blog sucks. You a millionaire yet, Chuck?
No, but stop pissing on mine.
I can respect that. It is fun to blog here and I enjoy it.
Would you rather have people respect you or think you’re funny? I lost all respect for myself many moons ago. That’s an easy one for me…
*stars be
Nolan’s not coming out in the nickel if we come out with our 22 personnel. You see Walker and Miller and our inverted wishbone to begin the game you’ll know we are trying to get Gore going first.
Nolan, like any DC, will be looking at our tendencies in personnel packages, formations, field position, down and distance, etc. ‘Greg Norman’ has done a great job of mixing things up to make that more difficult. But our go to first down guy is Gore. I haven’t counted or anything, but I’d guess by a wide margin. Like our go to receiver is Crabtree.
The primary things a defense does to stop a great running attack is outside contain and gap control. The same things that will be needed to counter the threat of Kaep’s running. You’d normally want to force him out of the pocket to his wrong hand side but with Kaep you don’t want him running anywhere. And their best pressure guy has got a bad ankle.
Nolan’s biggest problem is basic. His big guys against our big guys. Advantage Niners. His DBs don’t hit and tackle like our DBs. Advantage Niners. Hard to scheme an advantage around that but it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.
I hope the disruption of a traveling week doesn’t knock us off our game.
The Niners played last Saturday and thus had an extra day of prep. Don’t thnk the travel should affect them that much.
I think Nolan will try to confuse Kaep with some crazy looks, but it doesn’t matter with a power run game. This game, at first, will have slow pace to it – at least I hope. I hope Kaep doesn’t get too excited, too fast. I hope Kaep is going into this game thinking, “I don’t care about my personal stats or highlights, I just want to do whatever it takes to win the game.” But throwing a pick 6 against the Packers is huge. Immediately bouncing back and overcoming the INT has got to make Kaep feel like a hundred dollars. But that doesn’t change the fact that this game will be slower paced in the beginning with methodical drives and patience required by Kaep and the Shark.
Well, I think we come out running regardless of defensive formation. Unless they see big nickel. Harbaugh wants to establish Gore early this game.
Huh? The Big Nickel is designed to stop the pass. That’s when you want to try and run. Have you been dipping into your liquor cabinet early, Chuck? I’m off to the store now to replenish mine. Heads up: good chance I’m going to be an even bigger horse’s ass than usual from now until game time. Hell. I might even contract leukemia and get into a car accident and die before kickoff.
Don’t do that dennis just think how much you will miss.
Hey, I’m a little scrambled today. Sicker than a dog last couple days. The point being the Niners are going to run even if Noplan loads the box. He wants to imposse our O line on their D line to then open up the passing game.
With Gore, LMJ, and Kappy back there the Boids will have their hands full. I guess I,m the only one but I think Moss will really get involved in this game. If Nolan plays that “bend but don’t break” defense i think we take this game. The way our O-line played against GB is enough to put the fear into em.
Love the fact that Eddie D, Bryant Young, and Haley will be honorary Captains during the coin toss. Advantage: US
Yep Love the MoJo working for us with that one: “The Ghosts” are here
NFC/AFC Championship Games Scoring Challenge. Who you gonna call? 48 hours to kickoff
Chuck: 31-17 Niners. If Teflon Mike comes out loading up the box, then it’s time to get VD involved. As well as Moss. Take some deep shots, and give Crabs his opportunities. I think the Niners can grind down Atlanta much as they ground down the Packers. I also like last week’s call. 31-17 Niners.
NE
Grumpy Guy: 49ers 38, Falcons 21. Nolan will also expect a lot of Gore up the middle. So use LMJ on the edges to loosen that shit up. If they give Moss the big cushion, throw short outs to the first down marker until they stop. Make the safety deep choose: cover Crabs on the deep fly, or VD on the post. Heads I win, tails you lose. The Offensive line needs to manhandle their D-line the way did to the Packers. Take them out of their game, get a lead, silence the crowd.
Ravens 35, Patriots 31.
Nipper: Balt. SF. Niners will beat them good. Atlanta will be begging for mercy.
barleyfreak: SF. The “L” in the WWL pattern has always followed a prime time ass kicking. I think patterns like this and “jinxes” etc, are streaks waiting to be broken. Nothing lasts forever. I do think the Niners play better playing the “no respect” card — but a lot of teams have trouble with success. In this NFCCG, their hunger and talent will break this streak. But I still see it close. When can I start drinking?
Phil SF 35-17, Balt
Snarkk: SF I’m going HarBowl: SF 31-20. Balt 27-24. Can Atlanta win this game? Sure they can. I’m not convinced this is a cakewalk. But, if the Niners throttle their running game, the Niners should be able to handle and plan for their passing game, which is the only thing they have going. I figure Atlanta has to get at least two turnovers from the Niners, with one leading directly to a TD, or a special teams TD, to be in this thing, and that won’t even guarantee a win. I’m looking for LMJ to have a standout game on turf. If Niners get a lead early and shut down the crowd noise, things should turn out well..
Winder: 41 -34 Niners. Ravens 23 -21. It takes a good D to stop NE and I think Balt has the ability to stop Brady. However, if brady is really on then it’s lights out for good ole brother Harbaugh.
Flavor: Niners 42-10. Baltimore 34-31
Spitblood: Niners 45-17.
NE: The problem with the Denver secondary in the Ravens game was that their scheme was all about leaving Champ Bailey on an island, without help over the top. When Torrey Smith was beating Champ Bailey like a rented red headed mule, Jack Del Rio simply didn’t know what to do and he couldn’t act when it was obvious Bailey needed help over the top. Then, when he finally acted, Ray Rice broke loose. Bill Belicheat isn’t going to have this same problem. Belicheat will, can and has shut down both Rice and Torrey Smith at the same time. The Denver defense couldn’t do both.
12th man: Niners. Balt
shaman138: Niners over the vultures 21-17. So here’s hoping the jinx is broken on Sunday…I think they’ll do it. ATL is an average, over-rated team and Matty Ice loves to pull a Carson Palmer in big games and throw INTs at exactly the wrong time. Besides, I would LOVE to see a Harbowl SB–that would be fun. Bradys over Ravens 35-21…
Alleykat: Niners
Chico: Niners
NJ49er: 9ers 27-10. 9ers get #6. Bro Bowl -RayRay gives way to Patrick as the Best ILB wearing the 52 Jersey. Barley see if you can locate the media genius from the Falcon Presser this afternoon that asked HC Mike Smith, what plans he might have to stop ‘Copernicus’ on Sunday. No joke intended, he actually didn’t get Colins’ name correct. Way to prepare there Nut Job.
Ravens 37-34
twinfan1: 24-20 Niners. 24-20 Baltimore. Brady is a far better postseason QB than Manning but Flacco had a big game against a far better pass defense in Denver.
NoFear49ers: Niners 34-24. Now that we’ve got Copernicus the stars will align for us again.
The Ravens have given Belichick and Brady fits but I think they get it figured out at home and advance to become the team against which we earn number six. NE 27-24
Del Mar: (quote from pre-season): Ask and you shall receive…Anything else? How to split the atom? How to commit the perfect crime? The meaning of life? I got all the fucking answers..
(Phil): How bout some some perdictions fer us fella??
Gentlemen Let’s whup da doity boids
Patriots win 30-24 with the Ravens scoring a last minute irrelevant touchdown to make the game appear closer than it really was.
Phil, I do remember giving that answer, but can’t remember exactly what the question was. Matters not. I do have all the fucking answers. Just like when Tennessee Tuxedo would tell Chumley, “Let’s go see Mr. Whoopee. He’s the man with all the answers.” One of the voices on that show was a guy named Kenny Delmar. Delmar was best known for inventing the character Senator Beauregard Claghorn which was the inspiration for the more famous character, Foghorn Leghorn. Pay attention son, I’m talking to ya.
Huh?
I asked in training camp “Anybody know when the pre-season games are?” You kindly obliged and it was sorta classic so I saved that quote kinda like a trick play in the 4th quarter- or sumptin’.
Phil, I have Balt beating NE 28-24.
Just saw that. Our peerless pigskin prognosticators ain’t the only drunken loonies working this blog. I claim an honorable mention!
Yeah, BY is one of my all-time favorite players. Gonna be great to see him out there.
BY was one of the few reasons the team remained respectable, heck of a player and man. Glad to see the team recognize him.
Cundiff got the boot.
He was wide right . . .
And that was in the bathroom.
Lennay Kekua got the Romulan cloaking device in exchange for entrance into Te’o’s neutral zone.
Hey Phil — first off — thanks for pulling together and consolidating the ramblings of us disparate loonies into the same huddle. Below is my Carnac moment posted a couple days back with actual scores attached, for the record, and the potential of eternal glory if I’m right (eternal = ~ 2 days).
“I agree that against zone coverage Kap struggles. Why Capers went there is a mystery. Nolan won’t. But in the end ATL’s defensive line is not that great. Mediocre against the run, mediocre against the pass, 5th last in sacks — our OL should dominate them.Despite all that, it is a road game, following an emotional electric game against GB. I think the game will be closer than it should, 31-23, Niners. My gut tells me the Ravens will beat NE, setting up the Harbowl. But that would mean that BOTH road teams advance in the same year in the Championship games. That seems hard to believe. So I’ll go with the Ravens as the bridesmaid once again, and call it NE over BAL, 35-31.”
Great Barley. I’ll put in final edition/game day thread along with Chuck’s and the rest a youse guys
I think it’s pretty clear to whom I’m leaning towards this weekend. After all, my preseason prediction had the future POTUS and his Pats winning the SB.
Okay Dennis but what are you currently imbibing?
Drano
Sergeant Frank Drebin, Detective Lieutenant Police Squad: It’s true what they say: Cops and women don’t mix. It’s like eating a spoonful of Drano, sure it’ll clean you out, but it’ll leave you hollow inside.
Classic
Just a few gambling notes. Which of course, are for entertainment purposes only…Niners are the biggest road favorite in a CG since ’78 (DAL – 3.5 @ RAMS. 28-0 Boys). I truly think the -4.5 line is inflated. SEA, who were getting 2.5 pts. last week would only be a 3 pt. dog if they were playing @ SF this week and a pick ’em game on a neutral field. ATL going from -2.5 to +4.5 is a HUGE 7 pt. swing based on their near collapse and our dominant win > GB. Who, by the way, played right into our hands by playing man-to-man D. (Thank you, Dom). We won’t be seeing much, if any, of that Sunday. Nolan loves to play zone. And that means lots of < yds rushing for Kap. His O/U for rushing yds. is 62.5. That's looking UNDER to me. But I LOVE the OVER on VD's yds. at 39.5 Vernon scoring a TD will also getcha +325. And for those of you picking against the future POTUS, and rooting for a guy who beat a double murder rap can get 3/1 on your money. May you and Ray Lewis all rot in hell. Go Gisele!
New Big Ben Gatorade: http://tombradysego.lockerdome.com/media/104980424
Doing a great job Phil,getting these picks together for a bunch of drunken derelicts…
But now it’s time for Kat’s Stone Cold Locks!!! (7-1) so far…lookin good Lewis,feeling good Billy Ray..
Niners 34 Atlanta 20…
It’s all about #7 “THE TURLOCK TORNADO”
Freakin pussy Mike Nolan and their lame ass coach Mike Smith, won’t know what hit em,after the Twister of the 49ers Offense and Defense unleash their fury upon these losers,and their crap ass stadium and Tomahawk Chop (oh wrong sport)wannabe fans…
New England 31 Baltimore 24
Only Joe that wins Super Bowls (4 of them beautiful diamonds a plenty rings) is the “Greatest Of all ” JOE MONTANA”…And Flacco is no Joe and never will be.
On the other hand..Tom Brady is like Joe Montana,thrives in the big games (3-2) Super Bowls,not as great as Joe of course 4-0 and never threw a pick in all 4, but if Brady gets to another SB,it still one hell of an achievement,to play in 6, to bad he won’t get that 4th ring(not really) cause the 49ers will kick his ass.
Ravens are just an old team,playing another road game,no chance Bellichick and Brady let these old geezers win in their house!
Did you guys just hear the latest? Crabtree is being investigated by the SFPD for sexual assault. Allegedly…Just WTF we needed before the Big Game.
The assault is alleged. The investigation is real. And quite a shock, I might add.
“Just WTF we needed before the Big Game.” And if true, quite the bummer for the victim. I’m sure it’s not true, though. Michael doesn’t seem like the type to assault a woman.
Almost a week has gone by since the alleged crime, that is weird in and of itself.
Hopefully the sexual assault was perpetrated against Te’o’s girlfriend. That’s only a make (B)elieve felony.
Give ’em a few monrths and a dozen tries, the press might actually run an accurate story on this.
This Crabtree “Alleged” assault charge,will probably end up just like Pablo Sandoval’s, no “hard evidence”
I hear Manti Te’o wants to start a new fantasy football league. It’s a bit different than the ones you are used to . . .
Manti Teo’s girlfriend was the Mayan’s Calender”Playmate of the Year”