Giants: A Lost Opportunity

If not for the late season losses to playoff teams like Baltimore and Atlanta, and some early and mid-season missteps, the NFL Championship round  could have been a complete do-over.

The San Francisco 49ers will travel to Atlanta for their second straight appearance in the NFC Championship game.  Coach Harbaugh is the only coach to have taken his team to that game in his first two years of coaching.  A great feat, but one that he certainly needs to share with the front office and former coach.  The Falcons continued their “rising from the dead” act that they seem to have perfected throughout this season, and finally won a playoff game for their head coach and QB tandem of Ryan and Smith.

The Patriots are re-stocked and rejuvenated, and some would suggest giddy over the fact that the Giants do not stand in their way this year.  They will once again face the Ravens in the AFC Championship game this coming Sunday.  This Ravens team is aging quickly on defense, and needed a near miracle to escape Denver with a win.  Can the emotion of playing for Ray Lewis get them past the Pats?

Look for our weekly picks segment on Saturday as we break down the match ups.