Two plays after that Jones TD, half of the Superdome lost power, causing a 34-minute game delay. The 49ers returned from the delay with an ill-fated 3rd down play that made it look like the game was just about over. But San Francisco responded with 24 points on their next four drives, pulling to within 2 points with 10 minutes left in the game. After a Ravens field goal from the 2-yard line, the 49ers drove to the 5-yard line before turning the ball, and ultimately the game, over on downs. An intentional safety and a failed punt return later, the Ravens are champions of Super Bowl 47.

- Just to get this out of the way: Beyonce is awesome. The halftime show may have been more impressive than the entire first half. She certainly appealed to the young’ns more than Madonna did last year.

-  The biggest play of the game was unquestionably the no-call on the 49ers fourth-down play that would have given them the lead with 2 minutes left in the game. The Ravens came with an all-out blitz and Kaepernick lofted the ball in the direction of Crabtree, who was blanketed and couldn’t quite reach the throw. To my eyes, it looked like the corner was holding a littttttle too much jersey and probably should have been flagged for holding as Jim Harbaugh so vehemently declared, but those are the breaks.

- That power outage was pretty weird. For one, it reminded me a lot of that game back in 2010 when the lights at MetLife Stadium (before it was named that) cut out in the middle of a Giants-Cowboys game. But for another, it gave us some pretty trippy photos. On the whole I’ll say I was pro-blackout. Bravo, Superdome.

- Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP and deserved it 100%. The guy has had a very Eli-like run through these playoffs, stepping his game up in ways his detractors didn’t think possible. Ever since the Ravens played the Giants back in December (ugh) he has played at an unbelievably high level, capping the run off with a 287 yard, 3 touchdown, 0 interception performance in the big game.

- Obligatory mention of Ray Lewis’ last game. I’ve never been a huge fan of his personally, but he is probably the best defensive football player that I’ve ever seen play (I was too young to catch Lawrence Taylor). He’s had a helluva career that now includes two Super Bowl championships (double ugh). Enjoy retirement Ray, I won’t miss playing against you every 4 years.

Thus ends the Giants’ run as Super Bowl champions. It was a great ride, and it’s at least somewhat comforting to know that it came to an end at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champions. Let’s get Nicks and Cruz signed and make a run at a home game for the first New York/New Jersey Super Bowl in 2014. See ya’ll next year, and go Giants!

Ben Roethlisberger (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Today, Ben Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette he has a “little torn rotator cuff”. It seems that the injury occurred last season against the Baltimore Ravens on November 6, 2011.

“I’m good. It’s OK, just sore,” he stated to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette. “I have a little torn rotator cuff. That doesn’t heal. We just have to hope it doesn’t tear the rest of the way, according to Doc.”

The 30 year old Roethlisberger claims this is just part of getting older. The Steelers’, and Roethlisberger’s, current solution to the problem is do less throwing during walk-throughs and hope that the tear doesn’t worsen. Good luck with that, Ben.

1) We know the division will be better:  The Eagles can’t possibly be worse than they were last year.  Although Andy Reid decided to stay with his embattled defensive coordinator and his odd scheme, they have already strengthened the linebacking corps in free agency.  This was truly their biggest weakness, and they had a terrible draft class last season while trying to address it.  I imagine they might be a bit better than 8-8 this season, if and this is the question surrounding the Eagles, if Mike Vick can last.

The Redskins will be improved also, but not as much as people are saying I believe.  A young top QB is a great thing to have, but not always so great in their first year with questionable weapons surrounding them.  The Redskins did make some moves to improve on offense, but it is still a work in progress and not sure it is going to yield fast results.  Of course they beat us twice last year with no QB, so these games will be critical to our success this year.

2) The AFC North is tough: Baltimore still has a good defense if not great.  They have a very good running attack. They also have an embattled QB that needs to prove he is the man for the job.  The Giants don’t get them until late in the season, so the jury should be in on Joe Flacco by then.  Pittsburgh, although aging, is always tough, and they have a top notch QB.  Cincy is the improving team, and they could get a lot better with some good draft picks this year.  We will need to see how they grow together.

3) Road Trips: In San Fran, In Carolina on three days rest, and that is really it.  The Giants really caught a break this year with their home and road distribution. One trip west of Dallas all year, 5 games at home and 5 on the road before the BYE in week 11, which of course means 3 and 3 after the BYE. Finishing the season at home, maybe in primetime, maybe in another NFC East Championship game….all good things!

A prediction you say? Well before the draft is always a tough time to make a prediction, but at first glance I said 10-6.

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Click the link below for a great roundtable with Matt Jergensen from RavensGab, Daniel Budick, and Joe Tufaro from GMENHQ.COM

NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF RECAP

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With a final of 16-6 in the books the older Harbaugh brother came out on top as Baltimore defeated the 49ers.  A very close defensive  battle ended with Baltimore getting a little more offense out of their QB than San Francisco got out of Alex Smith.

A very good day of football and a very Happy Thanksgiving hopefully had by all!  Good night everyone and I we will see you tomorrow with a look back at this week 25 years ago, and a look ahead to Monday night and the New Orleans Saints!

Green Bay Packers (10-0) vs Detroit Lions (7-3)  Thursday  12:30 EDT on Fox.  The Lions finally bring a team to the Thanksgiving Day game.  Not since the days of Barry Sanders have the Lions looked so capable, and they found a running game last week which will certainly serve them well.  Green Bay, of course, is now in the position of chasing history.  The ever elusive undefeated season on the line every week from now till February 5th in Indianapolis.  Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the game currently, and should provide some pre meal entertainment for all.

Miami Dolphins (3-7) vs Dallas Cowboys (6-4)  Thursday  4:15 EDT on CBS.  This game just a month ago looked like it would be the worst game ever played on Thanksgiving Day.  With the Cowboys struggling with injuries and the lack of a running game, and Tony Romo being inconsistent the Cowboys were going nowhere.  In walks DeMarco Murray and suddenly the Cowboy offense works again.  The Cowboys now lead the NFC East.  The Dolphins on the other hand were a defeated team, had a coach that was about to be fired, and couldn’t win a game even when leading by 15 with 2 minutes to go.  What’s changed?  The last three weeks the Dolphin defense has allowed  3, 9, and 8 points respectively while scoring 31, 20, and 35.  As a wise man once said….It’s not who you play, but when you play them.  This game could rival the famous snow game between these two teams……or it could be another waste of three hours of advertising.  We will see.

San Francisco 49ers (9-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-3)  Thursday 8:20 EDT on NFL Network.  In a game many won’t see, if you don’t get the NFL Network, the brothers Harbaugh clash in this Prime Time affair,  The Surprising 9ers travel to Baltimore with their young QB Alex Smith, and a pretty good running game.  The Ravens have a pretty good running game themselves and a struggling young Qb in Joe Flacco.  The Ravens are showing some age on their great defense and the offense has just been too inconsistent, but they have been finding ways to win.  This game will be all about hard hitting defense, and probably some trickery thrown in somewhere.  This contest will without a doubt come down to Special Teams, Turnovers, and who has the nerve to pull out the big play.  Look for these two brothers to have their guys ready to play, and a few tricks up their sleeves from the backyard as well.

So while their are no guarantees……except that we will all be stuffed by the end of the day…….this Thanksgiving Day at least gives hope to the prospect of three good football games to enjoy before, during, and after dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone form the staff of GMENHQ.COM and thank you for your support!