The Harbaughs have arrived and judging by their combined five conference championship appearances in seven years of coaching, it looks like John and Jim are here to stay. It doesn't matter whether you prefer arrogant, condescending, and competitive or humble, thoughtful, and appreciative, because they're both going to New Orleans next week to face each other in the Super Bowl XLVII.
San Francisco got there by virtue of solid second half defense, the complete and utter collapse of the Atlanta Falcons. Colin Kaepernick showed off his arm while Frank Gore reminded everyone that he is still a perennial running back in this league. Half way through the second quarter things looked great for Atlanta backers like yours truly, but Matt Ryan's costly turnovers thwarted Falcon drives which rather than putting the game away put the momentum in the hands of the Forty Niners. Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, LaMichael James, and the stellar San Francisco secondary did the rest, leading the Niners to a 28-24 win, a half point cover on our prediction, and their sixth Super Bowl appearance.
Meanwhile, a little farther north and east, while Jim as throwing hissy fits and pouting like an insolent child after every yellow flag, the more charismatic and likable leader of men was calmly discussing shifts in the tides of the Patriots-Ravens game with his offensive and defensive coordinators and on rare occasions the men in stripes. The Baltimore Ravens quietly dismantled the legendary offense of Bill Belichick, found holes in their much improved defense, and became the first team in 68 games to come back from a first half deficit to beat a Tom Brady led team in Foxborough. Let me just say that again: Tom Brady was 67-0 with a first half lead at home until yesterday. The Ray Lewis fairy tale continued for the Ravens, and John Harbaugh finally broke through the championship round on his third attempt in five years and finds himself going up against little brother two weeks from now in New Orleans.
"Remember how I made the NFL and you didn't?"
"Remember how I had friends in high school and nobody liked you."
I'm sure we'll be sicker than we were last Thanksgiving by the time the Super Bowl comes around. Jack, Jackie, John, Jim, and all the "J" named grandchildren running around telling us about how their dad's still play Wiffle Ball and Nerf basketball on holidays and how Jim stews when he loses and John quietly gloats because he knows that it's not about "trophies" and "awards" as Jim boasted in the post-game press conference, but about living in the moment, cultivating human relationships, and helping young men define their characters through winning and losing.
Can you guess who this ex-Forty Niner fan is rooting for.
Thanks for a great season, TSZers. Hope you enjoy the Pro Bowl?????
Vinny and Marco
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