The Sports Monitor

I've seen one too many writers claim that if it weren't for a safety by the Giants at the beginning of Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots would have been able to kick a field goal to win the game at the end. The theory, I gather, is since the Giants won 21-17, you would subtract two points for the safety, making it 19-17. Thus, a field goal wins the game. I say it takes a simple mind to adopt that view. Let's take away the safety, for argument's sake, making it 19-17. Think back to the Giants' last touchdown. They went for two, to make it a six-point game. I guarantee you that there is no way -- none -- that the Giants would go for two if the game was 19-17. They kick the extra point to make it 20-17. The Patriots don't get a chance to kick a field goal to win the game. The best a Patriots' field goal would do is tie the game. There's one other point I'd like to make. I'll even concede the Giants trying to covert two after their touchdow...

I get it. Eli Manning led the New York Giants past the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night. He's a two-time Super Bowl MVP. I get that too. I understand the euphoria and the accolades beings thrown his way. But, please, don't call him the best quarterback today. I'll take Aaron Rodgers (remember him) and Drew Brees over Manning any day.

The comparisons between the Giants' Super Bowl championship four years ago and the one won Sunday in Indianapolis are eerily similar. I grew tired of it after the Giants beat the Packers. And it grew and grew and grew. And it became reality late Sunday when Tom Brady's Hail Mary fell to the turf. The Giants not only beat the Patriots again, they rallied for a late score to win it, just like in Super Bowl XLII. Strange stuff. It's also amazing how the Giants have owned the Patriots. There once was an old saying about how you couldn't beat Bill Belichick twice in a season. The Giants just did it. Personally, I think Belichick is overrated. I think Spygate tainted is other Super Bowl wins and his failure to win since those revelations confirms it to the doubters. Belichick needed this win. He didn't get it. The Giants -- and Tom Coughlin -- own the Patriots.

For a team favored to win the Super Bowl, I've seen way too many people pick the New York Giants over the New England Patriots. So many are picking the Giants that I'm sure the Patriots are playing the Disrespect Card as one of their rallying cries before the game. I'm not sure it will be enough for the Patriots to prevail. Tom Brady has the offense, but Eli Manning and the Giants aren't too far behind on defense either. The big question is whether super tight end Rob Gronkowski will play and, if he does, how much that high ankle injury will hinder him. Gronkowski is a big part of that offense, and without him or with him less than 100 percent, it slows down the Pats. Manning has the weapons, too. Victor Cruz emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the game. Hakeem Nicks is the other favored target who has plenty of upside as well. Each team has the ability to score plenty. But, in a season highlighted by high-powered offenses, I think the Giants defen...

After watching the two championship games Sunday night, one thing became clear. An argument can be made that the Ravens and 49ers both lost the games instead of the Patriots and Giants winning. That being said, which goat from the two games would you rather be Billy Cundiff, the Ravens kicker who missed a 32-yard field goal that would have sent the AFC Championship Game into overtime Kyle Williams, the 49ers punt returner who had to bad miscues, the last set up the Giants' game-winning kick in overtime I think I'd rather be Cundiff. And I made that decision before reports surfaced that Williams was receiving death threats. What's your take?

This entire postseason, we've heard all about the offenses in the NFL. Then they played the games. The defenses have stood out the past couple weeks, and I'd expect that to be the case for today's conference championship games. The consensus is a Patriots-Giants Super Bowl, and there's nothing wrong with thinking that. I'm not sold on it happening, however. AFC Championship Game: Ravens at Patriots It's all about Tom Brady in New England. He's gotten all of the hype, and after a six-touchdown pass game, he deserves it. However, it's the defense that people will talk about after the game. The Ravens know how to beat the Pats. They have the running game to keep the ball away from Brady and the Patriots' offense. The big question is whether the Ravens will get the play needed from their quarterback to win. Many people have their doubts, including members of the Ravens. Somehow, with Ray Rice running the ball, and the Ravens smacki...

I had a rough weekend picking the wild-card round. I had too many outside influences on my choices. Fantasy football leagues, home teams, allegiances all came into play. I've eliminated all the outside factors this week. It's time to bounce back. Saints at 49ers: Classic matchup between great offense and great defense. The Niners are at home and on grass, which should slow down the Saints, but I don't see how Alex Smith can lead San Fran past Drew Brees and the Saints. If the Niners are to win, the defense will need some turnovers and probably score at least one touchdown. The Saints are just too much. Saints 27, 49ers 16 Giants at Packers: Don't look now, but the Giants defense on a roll. They will face a serious test against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but they are peaking at the right time. Will it be enough? I don't think so. All season, Rodgers and Co. have come through, putting up the points when needed. The Giants might shut d...

The NFL playoffs finally are here, and, if you're like me, you can't get enough of the stuff. It looks like we should be headed for some high-scoring games, defensive struggles and some close calls this weekend. Here's how I see the weekend unfolding: Bengals at Texans: The Bengals are lucky to be in the postseason, while the Texans are lucky to have a quarterback after going through about 16 during the regular season. Arian Foster should get plenty of carries for the Texans, along with Ben Tate. The big question is whether quarterback T.J. Yates will be able to find Andre Johnson. If he can, it would go a long way for the Texans to win. However, something tells me rookie QB Andy Dalton finds some way to win against a tough Texans defense. Maybe he hooks up with A.J. Green on a big play. Maybe the Bengals defense pressures Yates into a big mistake. Bengals 20, Texans 17. Lions at Saints: This game should be fun to watch. The Saints, powered by record-set...