Ravens stun Broncos, Niners level Pack to win spots in conference championships

Baltimore gets tie Broncos in final 30 seconds, win in double OT

Welcome to NFL immortality, Joe Flacco.

Somewhere up there in the all-time playoff archives near the “Hail Mary” by Roger Staubach and the “Immaculate Reception” by Franco Harris now lives the “Flacco Fling” by theBaltimore Ravens quarterback.

One big throw down the sideline, 70 make-or-break yards on a wing and a prayer — a high, arcing touchdown pass that soared through the icy air, flew over two defenders, landed in the hands of Jacoby Jones, saved the game for Baltimore and kept Ray Lewis‘ 17-year career going at least one more week.

The record will show Justin Tucker kicked a 47-yard field goal 1:42 into the second overtime Saturday to give the Ravens a 38-35 victory overPeyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. The highlight? That would be Flacco’s game-tying touchdown to Jones on third-and-3 from the 30 with 31 seconds left in regulation and no timeouts.

“At that point,” Flacco said, “you have to start taking shots. You have to get a little lucky.”

Kaepernick runs wild, Green Bay hardest hit

The unproven kid thoroughly beat the former Super Bowl champion and reigning MVP.

With a strong arm that allowed him to pick the Packers apart from the pocket and speedy legs that helped him break free for big gains, Colin Kaepernick did a little bit of everything in a record-setting, sensational playoff debut — and Aaron Rodgers just couldn’t keep up.

Kaepernick passed for 263 yards and ran theSan Francisco 49ers right back to the NFC Championship Game with a 45-31 win over Green Bay in an NFC divisional game Saturday night.

Kaepernick rushed for a quarterback-record 181 yards and two touchdowns and threw two scoring passes to Michael Crabtree. Next up for the Niners: a game on Jan. 20 for a spot in the Super Bowl, against the winner of Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and Falcons at Atlanta.

 

Ravens roll Colts, Seahawaks shut down Skins

The Colts ran up over 400 yards of offense, but could only mange three field goals in Baltimore. The Ravens now head to Denver to play the Broncos

 

The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.

Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Anquan Boldin set a franchise record with 145 yards receiving, including the clinching touchdown in the Ravens’ 24-9 victory Sunday over Indianapolis in an AFC wild-card game. The win delays star linebacker Lewis’ retirement for at least another week as Baltimore (11-6) heads to top-seeded Denver (13-3) next Saturday.

Can the Ravens D stand up against Peyton’s offense?

Seahawks too much for Skins, ailing RG3

The Seattle Seahawks finally won a road playoff game Sunday, taking a 24-14 NFC wild-card victory over the Washington Redskins, who lost Robert Griffin III to another knee injury in the fourth quarter.

Marshawn Lynch ran for 131 yards, and Russell Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 187 yards and ran eight times for 67 yards for the Seahawks, who broke an eight-game postseason losing streak away from home.

Seattle will visit the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons next Sunday.

Lynch’s 27-yard run with 7:08 remaining gave the Seahawks (12-5) the lead. On Washington’s next series, Griffin reinjured the right knee he sprained about a month ago while trying to field a bad shotgun snap.

The knee buckled badly, and the Seahawks recovered the fumble and kicked an insurance field goal

Can the Atlanta Falcons stop red hot Seattle next week?

Super Sunday selection time

I will be pulling for the Saints today, although, I really cannot root against Manning and company either. But, the Saints have long been a hard luck franchise, and Drew Brees is a heckuva good guy, so, Geaux Saints.

I am picking the Colts, because, frankly, I cannot see Peyton Manning losing. Call it 38-31 Colts.

One final thought, win or lose, Peyton Manning has established himself as the best ever to play QB in the NFL. I know lots of folks will say that if the Colts win today, but will not if they lose. But, it is a team sport, and hey, if they truly want to use Championships as the measuring bar, then Otto Graham is clearly the best ever, and Terry Bradshaw is as good as Joe Montana, they both won four titles right? And Bart Starr, who won five, is better than either one of them.

It is getting closer!

The greatest time of the year is coming. CollegeFootball season baby!

Here is a clip of some Gator greatness from 1997