<p>Congratulations to the Giants. It’s a hard pill to swallow, given the what-ifs and hair-pulling moments I’ll always remember about this game. But the Giants made the most of the circumstances and played well enough to merit the win.</p>
<p>But with regard to coaching and the defensive side of the ball, I think the 49ers have a sustainable situation in place so I’m cautiously optimistic for the future. </p>
<p>As for the Super Bowl, I hate both teams, but if I had to choose I’ll root (albeit half-heartedly) for New York. But it’s largely for the reason that I don’t want Tom Brady to tie Joe Montana’s and Terry Bradshaw’s mark of four Super Bowl wins as a starting quarterback. I’m also not fond of New England’s unconcealed guilt in the Spygate cheating incident of last decade. But choosing between New York and New England is like choosing between getting run over by a truck or run over by a train.</p>
<p>I hate to blare what can be dismissed as excuses, but you, sir, are correct. And not once, but twice. Outside of Vernon Davis, the entire 49ers offense and the play-calling itself left very much to be desired. The was zero hint of the slightest heroics this week.</p>
<p>An honest assessment of the playoffs would lead one to believe if they were played over we would have two different SB teams. It is what it is however and both teams deserve to be there.</p>
<p>So even if the giants got lucky, they STILL scored on the niners. You are making it sound like the turnovers ‘justify’ the giants scoring but the fact is, the niners defense gave up those touchdowns, not the punter.</p>
<p>I’m glad the giants are playing the patriots. I don’t think they would have too much of a chance against the ravens ( talk about giving the game away lol)</p>
<p>This morning on CBS, Charlie Rose asked JB how long do you have to hold on to the ball to be a touchdown, so qdog and I weren’t the only one to notice that. Oh, well. Thank goodness that I didn’t really care about that game or it would bug me. A lot.</p>
<p>What catch are you refering to? I didn’t hear anything during the game that was questioned, and I’ve been googling around trying to find what the reference is unsuccessfully. The Pascoe and Manningham TDs looked clean to me (and everyone else I can find, but maybe I missed something.)</p>
<p>The Ravens non-touchdown toward the end of the game. The ball was stripped by the defender, but a couple of us thought the receiver had control and took two steps before the ball came out. Because it wasn’t ruled a touchdown it wasn’t automatically reviewed and because it was in the last two minutes the coach couldn’t initiate a review. Sorry I can’t remember the names of the players! Like I said, I never watch these two teams because so I just didn’t care that much.</p>
<p>^^^I think in the old days that catch would have been a TD because he had control of the ball for a moment while he was in the plane. Sort of like a run; if even for a fraction of a second that ball is in your hand in the end zone, even if you drop it when you hit the ground, it’s a TD. Not so with passes, and especially not today with the new rules about “control.” I wasn’t sure he took steps with the ball in control at the time, but I haven’t studied the replay.</p>
<p>How is that luck? Isn’t holding onto the ball a skill that’s important for football players to have? Fumbles have decided many a football game. Is it always “luck” when a team capitalizes on a fumble-it has nothing to do with skill, making the most of your opportunities, etc.?</p>
<p>I agree with Nrd. The receiver should never have been close enough to that ball to let it hit him on the knee, and the defender was brilliant to pick it up on the off-chance the call goes his way. It did. That’s a case where the Giants made their own “luck.”</p>
<p>^^^^Youdon’tsay, I have been fighting a crappy cold virus for a couple of weeks, and exhausted from coughing so much, took Nyquil last night and fell asleep sometime after the play you are referencing above. I thought I read that the same punt receiver went on to outright fumble a punt again after that? Or am I wrong?</p>
<p>Anyone else upset with the booing during the national anthem? I hadn’t watched it at the time, but scrolled back later and the fans were booing every time the camera showed one of the Giants. Couldn’t they have waited 2 minutes?</p>
<p>Nothing like that happened during the NE/Ravens game but then again it was a bit stunning to watch Steve Tyler sing the national anthem wearing a scarf that looked like a bad Christmas sweater.</p>
<p>I do not disagree with the part where the Giants created their luck. But considering that the same play would yield a different outcome 99 out 100 times, there is a high degree of luck involved in the Giants getting the ball twice in scoring positions.</p>
<p>Luck versus skills can be debated ad nauseam. When Manning throws an ill-advised pass right in the middle of two SF defenders and they knock each other off the ball, that is still a lucky break for the mighty Eli. Same thing when his receivers catch the ball with their helmet. Great play by the receiver; luck for Manning. </p>
<p>Luck IS part of the game, but it should not be that hard to recognize when the outcome of a game has been greatly influenced by funny bounces and good fortune.</p>
<p>PS Fwiw, this was a rather unusually uninspired coaching performance by Jim Harbaugh. The use of the clock at the end of first half was as bizarre as some calls.</p>
<p>I thought the same thing about the booing. One of the 49ers had a perplexed/disturbed expression on his face as it was happening, but I could be misinterpreting his body language. </p>
<p>As to Steven Tyler, I literally had to hit the mute button. I’m not really a fan, but I felt embarrassed for him. He was horrible.</p>
<p>The Giants should have had a third fumble on the reverse play when the ball went right through Osi’s hands. If it was not for turnovers (5) the Giants would have been playing New Orleans.</p>