and the Saints can’t overcome turnovers and fall to the Niners
In what may of become the game of the year, the San Francisco 49ers shocked the New Orleans Saints 36-32 in the final minutes of the game.
The Niners were able to ice the game with 9 seconds left as Alex Smith was able to find Vernon Davis from the 13 yard line.
For the Saints, turnovers continued to be a problem for them as they tried to become the first team since the 77 Raiders and only the second team all time to win a game with a negative four turnover margin.
You’ve gotta give credit where credit is due though as Jim Harbaugh continues to have his team playing at a high level and for getting everything he can out of QB Alex Smith.
San Francisco 49ers 36, New Orleans Saints 32
Brady Tebow’s Tebow in rout of the Bronco
Tom Brady reminded us of what a good quarterback can do for a team that has its flaws.
In Saturday’s night-cap the New England Patriots hammered Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos 45-10, ending the Broncos’ magical season and magical run in the playoffs.
Brady came out guns a blazing throwing 5 touchdown passes in the first half finishing the game with a total of six. This tied a NFL postseason record alongside Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica.
And to further highlight the disparities between Brady and Tebow, at one point in the game Tebow had three total completions while Brady had six total touchdowns.
The final numbers for what was being hyped up to be the quarterback showdown to end all quarterback showdowns was…
Tom Brady, 26 of 34, 363 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception, 0 sacks
Tim Tebow, 9 of 26 for 136 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 5 sacks, 1 fumble lost
New England Patriots 45, Denver Broncos 10
Turnovers doom Texans, Ravens headed to AFC Championship Game
If the Saints can’t overcome a bunch of turnovers, what makes you think the Texans can?
Houston’s T.J. Yates threw three interceptions as the Baltimore Ravens were able to capitalize on those turnovers (and avoid their own) in a 20-13 victory over the Texans.
Despite the win Baltimore was only able to muster 230 total yards of offense, something that hasn’t been done since the Ravens were able to beat the Titans in Flacco’s rookie season.
It will also be interesting to note the extent of Ed Reed’s injury he suffered on the final play of the game.
Baltimore Ravens 20, Houston Texans 13
Discount Double Checked-Out: Packers falls to the Giants at Lambeau
Heading into the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers were primed and ready to make another run at a Super Bowl which they looked fully capable of doing.
The New York Giants however had other plans as the G-Men torched the defending Superbowl Champion Packers 37-20 from Lambeau Field.
Right from the start, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense looked all out of wack as Aaron Rodgers missed receivers, receivers dropped balls and players on the Green Bay side just flat-out turned over the ball.
The final dagger came late in the fourth when Packers running back Ryan Grant fumbled in Green Bay territory and on the ensuing possession Manning was able to find Mario Manningham in the back of the end zone.
The play of the game though came at the end of the first half when Manning threw a hail mary pass that Hakeem Nicks was able to come down with sending the Giants to a 20-10 halftime lead.
The Giants now head out to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game and the Packers are left wondering what could have been.
New York Giants 37, Green Bay Packers 20
Ref: ESPN.com, Getty (image)