Conference Championship Weekend Picks

For the past week, ESPN has pretty much been unwatchable for me.  I haven't been watching it non-stop 24 hours a day or anything, but every single time I've turned it on, it's been a story about how the Giants just never will give up, how bad that Patriots defense really is or if Joe Flacco is good enough to "get the job done".  Things like that.  I guess as the number of teams left in play dwindles, there are less things to talk about.  So I can't blame the media.  I just choose to stay away from it.

Having said that, the conference championship week media circus is only the second worst week of the sports media year.  It pales in comparison to Super Bowl media week, when you're talking about being unwatchable.  But let's not get started down that road.

There are only so many story lines the media can come up with and drill directly into my skull.  And even though I'm a Patriots fan, so I do have a rooting interest still, I'm tired and glad the week is over.  That's probably why I've waited until the last minute to post my picks.  This isn't going to be very in-depth folks.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

One of the story lines that has not been annoying in the least, is the fact that the Niners and Giants have met many times in the playoffs.  In fact, they've met more times than any other two teams.  And they've had some pretty good games throughout the years.  

The Giants seem to have a little bit of momentum on their side.  Everyone and their mom is comparing this year's Giants team to the 2007 Giants championship team.  Don't get me started on the 2007 New York Giants (I hate them all and loathe their memory), but this team has taken a very similar path as the '07 Giants took.  They've won 4 games in a row since finding themselves 7-7 after a week 15 loss to the Redskins.  They got manhandled at home by Washington and lost 23-10.  There was little hope remaining for the Giants.  And then the tide turned out of nowhere.  I can't explain it, and Lord knows I hate witnessing it (again!), but something is there with these guys.

I've got nothing against Alex Smith and the Niners, but I think the Giants are pretty solid.  I think this game will be  a relatively high scoring game, even though both defenses are very good.  Also, with the Giants winning this one, one half of The Big Rematch will be locked in.  New York Giants 23  San Francisco 20

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Enough talk about how bad the Patriots defense sucks.  I'm not sick of it because I'm a Pats fan, I'm just sick of it being the very first thing that is brought up, as if it means an automatic loss.  Yes, New England's defense gave up the most yards per game in the AFC this year.  But they're not nearly as terrible in all the other main defensive categories, including points given up per game. 

When talking about the crappy Patriots defense, keep in mind the 2006 Indianapolis Colts defense.  Remember, that defense was considered pretty freakin' terrible for the entire regular season, and then made an inexplicably great run through the playoffs, and ultimately forcing 5 turnovers in the Super Bowl against the Bears and winning the title.  So it can make all the difference in the world if your average rated defense can play it's best just at the right time.

If Baltimore's defense is able to get to Brady and make him uncomfortable, they'll have a real shot.  But I don't think that they will.  Their defense has been great, as always, this season.  But the second half of the season wasn't nearly as impressive as the first half for Lewis, Suggs and company.

New England 33  Baltimore 21