Final Walk of Shame: Thoughts From Last Night

Baltimore Ravens, 34 - San Francisco 49ers, 31

--  Baltimore played a very good game, especially offensively. They executed plays and did not make many noticeable mistakes. The moment never seemed too big for them. That said, San Francisco left it on the table. From the first drive (an illegal formation penalty negating a 25 yard gain) to the last drive (burning a timeout to save 5 yards on a delay of game call), they just didn't have it all together.

-- I've said before that I think Jim Harbaugh is the best coach in the league, and I stand by it, but in my opinion there were two large scale coaching decisions he botched last night (or lets just say, this girl would have done them differently from her seat on the couch). First, I would of went for two after Crabtree made it 28-12. Instead, San Fran waited to go for two until there was 9 minutes left in the 4th quarter and they absolutely needed the points. Isn't it harder to get something done when the pressure is on? If they went for it and converted it's 28-14 and a two-point conversion is no longer an issue in the game. Even if they went for it and failed, they're still only down by 2 touchdowns and 2 two-point conversions. It's not even 3 scores! Which at the time looked pretty good to me. Second, the play calls on the Niners final four offensive plays were ridiculous. I know he doesn't send in the plays, but by default I blame Harbaugh. In order: Hand-off to LaMichael James for a 2 yard gain (James?! Really?! The rookie who already fumbled once? Was Gore too tired after his 33-yard run the play before? I mean, it's the last drive of the Super Bowl!!); Roll out to the right for an incompletion to Crabtree (seemingly the only receiver in the pattern); Another incompletion to Crabtree (where, by the way, Kaepernick started under center removing almost any chance of him running effectively); Lastly, once again, an incomplete pass to Crabtree (at least this one went to the end zone...kind of). If it was me, I would have ran the ball four straight times with either Kaep or Gore - with a slight chance of a quick slant pass to Vernon Davis - all the time secretly hoping that we got stopped on the first three so the clock would run down. Harbaugh got sucked into the trap that every other NFL coach does - thinking the only way to get 5 yards is to throw. His team ran their way to success all year. You messed up Jim (don't worry...you're still handsome).

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MICHAEL CRABTREE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS  (Reuters)

--  Let's turn to why the Ravens won. Two words: Joe. Flacco. Think about the last 20 years of NFL playoffs. Is there a quarterback that's had a better stretch of postseason games? I'm serious. The guy was 73 for 126, had 1,140 yards, threw for 285 per game, and had 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Yes, that was ZERO interceptions. Ok, maybe the best of the last 20 years is pushing it, but he took a team that limped into the playoffs (and I mean limped into the playoffs) and strung four very impressive wins together. Last night he was 22 of 33 for 287 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one ballsy audible on a 3rd and 1 for a huge pass play conversion. Anquan Boldin was money as usual, Jacoby Jones made two huge plays, the offensive line held up well...but Flacco is the reason why the Ravens won. Anything less then what he gave them and the 49ers win that game.

--  Beyonce is (insert adjective here). Whatever word you put in that spot, it's probably not meaningful enough. She is one bad-ass woman.

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BEYONCE KNOWLES  (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

--  That noise you heard around 10:45pm Eastern was the collective scream of everyone who had 4 and 9 in their squares pool. I wonder how much money changed hands as Sam Koch, the Ravens punter, was running around the end zone and giving the 49ers an extra 2 points.

--  I'm not gonna lie...Steve Bisciotti, the Ravens owner, kind of scares me. 

--  Finally...Ray Lewis. By all accounts, Ray did not have a very good Super Bowl. If the 49ers run a better play in the final minutes we may be talking about how Ray Lewis got burned multiple times by Gore's moves, Crabtree's crossing routes, and Kaep's feet, and how it's a good thing he's retiring because he's clearly over the hill. But that isn't the case. The Ravens came out on top and Ray Lewis is riding into the sunset a 2-time Super Bowl Champion with one of the best "win one for him" stories attached to his name. Say what you want about his non-football life - I surely did on twitter last night ("Ray Lewis killed the lights!!" was my personal favorite) - but there's no arguing his status as an all-time great. He's one of the best players of his generation.

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RAY LEWIS, BALTIMORE RAVENS  (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Chik's Favorite Football Fanatic!

I'm looking for the biggest football fan I can find!! Send me a photo that best showcases your support for your team and says why you should be my favorite fan. Just click the email button at the bottom of this page (next to the twitter feed) and send me your pic. I'll post the favorites on my website and on twitter right before kick-off on Super Bowl Sunday!

February 3, 2013  --  Go to the MY FANTASY page to see who won the Chik's Favorite Football Fanatic! 

2012 Awards: An Alphabetical Tribute

ADRIAN PETERSON: Most Valuable Player -- In 2011, the Minnesota Vikings finished with a franchise tying worst 3-13 record. As the 2012 season started, many assumed they were destined for the same fate. "Worst Team in the League" status was attached to them in many preseason predictions. They were led by a very unproven second-year quarterback, had one reliable wide receiver, and a defense that ranked 26th in the league the year before. Amazingly, they finished 10-6 - a seven game swing - and landed in the playoffs. With that type of transformation the quarterback must of led the way, right? Not exactly. Minnesota ranked 31st in the league with only 172 passing yards a game. So the receivers must have really stepped it up? Nope. Percy Harvin, the one reliable receiver, was out for the season after Week 9. Well then it must of been the defense? Not at all. They went from 26th to 24th in yards against. The only reason the Vikings made the playoffs...the only reason anyone outside the Twin Cities watched their games...and the only reason they're not debating whether to give up on Christian Ponder and draft Matt Barkley...is Adrian Peterson. Forget the fact that he tore his ACL eight months before the season started and still finished 9 yards short of the all-time rushing record. That's just icing on the cake. He is, without question, the most VALUABLE player in the league because of what he makes the Vikings capable of. Yes, Peyton Manning led the Broncos to the #1 seed, but Denver had many pieces in place and won more playoff games last year with Tim Tebow. And yes, Tom Brady is probably the best quarterback who ever lived and the Patriots once again rolled to the postseason, but he has skilled players all around him and the best coach of the millenium. Peterson has none of this, as illustrated already. M.V.P.

BEST RUN THAT DIDN'T END IN A TOUCHDOWN AWARD: C.J. Spiller -- The run happens 47 seconds into this clip, but it's well worth watching the whole thing. Spiller has serious moves.

CHAMP BAILEY: Player who everyone thought was elite until he was exposed in the postseason award.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.J. Watt -- Enough said.

ERIC DECKER: Hottest guy in the league award.

FASTEST GROUP OF WIDE RECEIVERS AWARD: Denarius Moore, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford -- Oakland Raiders (apparently speedy receivers don't necessarily translate into wins).

GENO ATKINS: Most underrated defensive lineman award.

HENRY MELTON: 2nd most underrated defensive lineman award.

ISSAC SOPOAGA: Best player in the NFL who's name starts with an "I" award.

JOHN TAYLOR AWARD: Donnie Avery -- This goes to the wide receiver who seems to always make big plays, convert first downs and score timely touchdowns, yet is completely overshadowed by the Hall of Fame receiver he plays with. Reggie Wayne (and rookie T.Y. Hilton) get most of the press, but Avery had a solid 60 catches for 780 yards. He had as many catches on 3rd down for 1st down conversions as Dez Bryant, Julio Jones and James Jones.

KICK/PUNT RETURNER OF THE YEAR: Leodis McKelvin -- Before he missed the last few games of the season, Buffalo's McKelvin was on pace to break return-yard records that had stood for half a century.

LOGAN MANKINS: Player who got into Pro Bowl based on reputation award -- Mankins only played in 10 regular season games this year (and by the way New England lost 4 of them). Plus, when the Pro Bowl rosters were announced he had only played in 9. I'm not saying he isn't great, but he missed a third of the season. The Pro Bowl is lame.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: A.J. Green -- Last year Green was a deep threat rookie wide-out with 67 catches and promising upside. This year he was one of the best receivers in the league with 97 catches, 1350 yards and 11 TD's.

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A.J. GREEN, CINCINNATI BENGALS  (Al Tielemans/SI)

NICE GUY AWARD: Larry Fitzgerald -- Is there a player in the NFL that deals with more shit than Larry Fitzgerald? The guy is quite possibly the most poorly utilized player in the league, is stuck with Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Ryan Lindley as his quarterbacks, and never says a word. I literally don't think I've ever heard him talk. In the Cardinals 16 games this year, Fitzgerald only led the team in receiving yards 6 times! To put that in perspective, Brandon Marshall led the Bears 12 times and Megatron led the Lions 13 times. Poor, Larry. Such a nice guy.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Adrian Peterson -- A rundown of his 2012 stats: 2,097 rushing yards; 6.0 yards per carry; 12 rushing TD's (1 receiving TD); 6 rushes of 50 or more yards; 172 rushing yards per game in December. 

PLAYER WITH THE COOLEST NICKNAME WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE COOLEST PLAYER AWARD: RGIII

QUITTER OF THE YEAR: The Philadelphia Eagles roster.

RUSSELL WILSON AWARD FOR MY FAVORITE PLAYER: Russell Wilson

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RUSSELL WILSON, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SIGNAL CALLER AWARD: Aaron Rodgers -- There were many quarterbacks with great numbers this year, but a few of Rodgers' numbers stand out. He had 39 touchdowns (most in the league) to just 8 interceptions (2nd fewest in the league). This was the best ratio of any full-time starting quarterback. He had a 108.0 passer rating, also the best of any starting QB. Finally, he was sacked 51 times - again, most of anyone. A guy under that much pressure is not supposed to lead the league in TD's, not to mention only throw 8 picks. Message to the Packers front office...draft a couple linemen in April.

TONY GONZALEZ: This generation's Best Player to Never Win a Super Bowl award.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD: Bobby Wagner -- On a team full of flash - from the quarterback, to the running back, to the coach, to the uniforms - Bobby Wagner flies under the radar. In his first year, he had 140 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions and led the Seahawks to the 4th ranked defense in the league.

VON MILLER: Player who most resembles the late, great, Derrick Thomas.

WORST PLAY OF THE YEAR AWARD: Was there another choice? #buttfumble

X'S & O'S AWARD: Bruce Arians -- Coach of the Year might be the easiest call on the list. Not only did Arians take a 2-14 team to the playoffs while installing a new offense and new quarterback, but he was an eloquent, modest leader in the midst of Chuck Pagano's illness.

YOLO AWARD FOR MOST OVERUSED PHARSE: "It's a quarterback driven league."

ZACK MORRIS AWARD: London Fletcher -- To the guy who everyone follows.

Walk of Shame: Thoughts From Last Night

Atlanta Falcons, 30 - Seattle Seahawks - 28

--  This was Tony Gonzalez's first career playoff win. This is his 16th year in the NFL.

--  I'm not going to lie...I was really into the Seahawks. I loved the swag. I loved the uniforms. I LOVED Russell Wilson. In 1937, Sammy Baugh threw for 335 yards in a postseason game for the Redskins. That record stood until yesterday, when Wilson had 385. Bye-bye, Russell (tear).

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MATT RYAN, ATLANTA FALCONS  (Dave Martin/AP Photo)

--  Matty Ice finally got one. This is how he did it: 7-for-9, 111 yards and 2 touchdowns when facing a defensive back blitz. This scheme was the bread and butter for Seattle all year. When blitzing a defensive back during the season their opponents completed 47% of their passes and threw 5 interceptions. Ryan figured it out and burned them on it.

--  That 111 yards included 41 on Atlanta's final drive, which of course set up the final score from Matt Bryant.

--  Matt Bryant is money. On his last 10 field goal attempts past 49 yards, Matty Ice II has hit all 10.

New England Patriots, 41 - Houston Texans, 28

--  Tom Brady passed Joe Montana for most postseason wins with 17. Best. Quarterback. Ever.

--  Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen have given New England a new wrinkle to their offense this season: a running game. They combined for 123 rushing yards (219 if you add receiving) and 4 touchdowns yesterday. Ridley himself had 1,263 rushing yards during the season, which was 7th in the league. The last time the Patriots had a rusher in the top 15 was Corey Dillon in 2004. 

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SHANE VEREEN, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  (Elise Amendola/AP Photo)

--  To me, the Texans lost this game on their first drive. Danieal Manning (who had a great day in the return game) took the opening kick back to the New England 12. Three plays later - a short run, a sure TD drop by Graham, a bad throw by Schaub - and the Texans were settling for a field goal. What a statement a touchdown would of made. Two minutes in and the Patriots would have already been on their heals. Instead, they're only down by 3 and the defense has a sense of momentum. The Texans had their moments and put some points on the board, but I think the game was over after the first minute.

--  It was surprising that Wade Phillips blitzed as often as he did. I don't pretend to know what schemes a defensive coordinator should call when playing in a divisional playoff game on the road against the greatest quarterback ever, but history shows that blitzing Brady is a backfire waiting to happen. You need to get pressure with your front four (think both Super Bowls against the Giants). Case in point: Brady was 12-for-19 with 208 yards and 2 touchdowns against 5+ pass rushers. This is not new. When the Pats played the Texans a month ago, he was 13-for-19 with 148 yards and 3 touchdowns!

--  This will be the first AFC Championship rematch since "The Drive" and "The Fumble" (Broncos at Browns, '86 and '87). Sorry Browns fans. Prepare for Elway and Byner highlights all week.

Walk of Shame: Thoughts From Last Night

Baltimore Ravens, 38 - Denver Broncos, 35

--  This was the fourth longest game in NFL history. It lasted 76 minutes and 42 seconds.

--  Joe Flacco just earned himself a new contract. He entered the league in 2008 and has led the Ravens to the playoffs every season since. He's only 27 years old and has 5 playoff road wins. Not 5 playoff wins total - 5 playoff ROAD wins! That ties Eli Manning for most in NFL history. His playoff performances have been getting better every season: 2008 - 1 TD, 3 INT; 2009 - 0 TD, 3 INT; 2010 - 3 TD, 1 INT; 2011 - 4 TD, 1 INT; 2012 - 5 TD, 0 INT (of course, this year is still going). Congratulations Joe, you're an elite quarterback.

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JOE FLACCO, BALTIMORE RAVENS  (Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)

--  Peyton Manning tied Brett Favre for most postseason losses among starting quarterbacks with 11. Ironically, Manning lost his 11th playoff game the same way Favre did - by throwing an interception across his body.

--  Credit the Baltimore coaching staff for figuring out a way to get pressure on Manning. In the first half, Manning wasn't hurried or sacked once. In the second half, he was pressured 10 times and had 2 turnovers (including the interception referenced above).

San Francisco 49ers, 45 - Green Bay Packers, 31

--  Prior to last night, Michael Vick had the best single game rushing day of any quarterback in NFL history (he also had the 2nd best and 4th best). Colin Kaepernick now holds that record. Kaepernick ran for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns, helping the Niners set a franchise playoff record for yards gained in a postseason game (579). 

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COLIN KAEPERNICK, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS  (Macio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

--  Did Kaepernick (and Jim Harbaugh) just change the way offense is played in the NFL? The read option has been used by many teams this year - Washington with RGIII, Seattle with Wilson, even Miami with Tannehill (trust me, I saw it happen) - but this was arguably the most successful it's been all season and it happened on the biggest stage. In the short run, I see more team's adopting it just like they did the Wildcat a few years ago. In the long run, I see the NFL changing to more of an "option" league, with athletic, accurate quarterbacks who can dictate a game on multiple levels (hmm...maybe I'll write more about this).

--  The key to Kaepernick's running was that he never took hits. Do you remember him taking one shot from Matthews, Hawk or Woodson? I don't. Well the stats back it up. Of the 181 yards he had on the ground, 178 came before he was touched.

--  Michael Crabtree is blowing up. As I wrote about in yesterday's fantasy predictions, Crabtree's stats have soared since Kaepernick took over. In plays that go for 15 or more yards since Kaep took over, Crabtree has 11 catches, 286 yards and 3 touchdowns. With Alex Smith he had 3 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown.