Superbowl XLVII: How Bad Do You Want It?

des·ti·ny [des-tuh-nee]

noun: the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.

Ever since Ray Lewis announced to his team and the media that this would be his last ride, things have been a bit of a fairy tale with the Ravens -- a word rarely used in conjunction with the sport of football. 

The Ravens started their playoff run with a win at home over Andrew Luck and the Colts. It was Ray's last home game. Ray's last dance in Baltimore. Next, the Ravens traveled far out west to mile high stadium to face the AP Comeback Player of the Year, Peyton Manning, and the Broncos. In what may have seemed like a miraculous comeback in the midst of the game, Flacco launched a 60+ yard bomb to Jacoby Jones to send the game into overtime. The Ravens went on to wrap that game up after intercepting Manning and kicking a game-winning field goal. Then the Ravens traveled 2000+ miles back east to play Belichick, Brady and the Pats. Being behind 13-7 at half-time and looking up at Tom Brady's, 67-0 record after leading at the half at home, it almost felt like the Pats didn't have a chance once the 2nd half kicked off. They shut Brady and the Patriots out to earn a ticket to Nola.

Sounds a little like destiny.

Photo Courtesy: USA Today

The 49ers journey isn't quite as illustrious, but there's no doubt that they belong where they are. When you look at the 49ers from top to bottom, I think they're a more complete team than the Ravens. Their defense is younger, faster (maybe not quite as wise) and hits just as hard. Kaepernick has silenced doubters (myself included) and is helping to re-write the rules of offense with the likes of RG3, Russell Wilson, and this new class of spread option QB's. Interestingly, he might not have gotten that chance if it weren't for one of the bolder coaching decisions in recent memory by Jim Harbaugh. 

Both Jim and John Harbaugh are two of the most inspirational coaches out there, coaching the two toughest teams in the NFL. Their physical toughness is evident, but it's the mental toughness I'm referring to. The message of perseverance through adversity becomes a tangible, yet immeasurable, success metric.

So you've got these two great teams, with these two great coaches, with these two admirable philosophies. How do you pick a winner?

Well, I figure I might mention that I don't actually believe in destiny. I believe that there isn't much, especially in sports, that's predetermined or inevitable. In football, there are a number of factors that lead to success. There's talent. Experience. Passion. Luck. And there's effort.

Unlike most other team sports, the champion is decided in just 60 minutes. One game to leave everything out there and hold nothing back. Among all the factors that go into which team will stand under the lights and the confetti, effort holds more weight than the rest in football.

If there's one player and one team that's in the best position to give it all they've got for all 3600 seconds on the clock, it's Ray Lewis and the Ravens. His effort throughout his career has inspired the players around him -- even players not on his team. Many of those players want this championship for Lewis as much as they do for themselves. I think that's what it boils down to.

Who really wants it the most?

I'll say the Ravens do.

2012-13 Picks - NFL - NFC & AFC Championship Picks

If you're thinking, "haven't we seen this before", in regards to these playoffs, well, you're not mistaken. 3 of the 4 teams representing the AFC and NFC are the same as last year. The Patriots seem to always be around this time of year. The Ravens are back for the second year in a row to make amends for last years lost against the Pats. The 49ers are attempting to make up for what likely should've been a trip to the Superbowl last year. And of course, we have the inevitable playoff home underdog, the Atlanta Falcons. All these teams have a unique chip on their shoulder. So who's going to make it to the big stage?

Sunday, January 20

San Francisco @ Atlanta | 2:00 p.m. CT

The San Francisco 49ers still have a very fresh memory of Kyle Williams lying face down on the field after having fumbled a kick off return along with their Superbowl hopes. But the 49ers feel like a totally different team--most notably because there's a totally different dynamic when Colin Kaepernick is at QB. I haven't been a fan of Harbaugh's decision all season long. However, last week against the Packers, he showed that maybe he has as much poise and confidence as any veteran QB in this years playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons are this years home underdog. Having finally gotten the "win a playoff game" monkey of their backs, almost instantly, they feel dangerous in the way the Giants have in past years. Although their primary weapons are on the offensive side of the ball, that defense is no slouch, either. Matty Ice and the dirty birds are poised for an "upset"...

...But I don't think they'll pull it off.

My Pick: San Franciso 49ers

Baltimore @ New England | 5:30 p.m. CT

For Harbaugh and the Ravens, particularly Ray Lewis, these playoffs are about finishing. Finishing Ray's last game in Baltimore. Finishing off Peyton Manning and Broncos in OT. And now, finishing the rivalry that started against Belichick and the Pats.

It's not so different for the Patriots. They couldn't finish off the 49ers after their comeback in Week 15. But they were able to finish what they started with the Texans last week. Most importantly, they weren't able to get the job done against the NY Giants last year in the Superbowl. In order to get another chance at that task, they'll need to finish off Ray Lewis and the Ravens once and for all.

Although, If there was a perfect last game for Ray, one might imagine it would be in the Superbowl ... but I can't imagine a better final opponent for Ray to defeat than Belichick and Brady.

Unfortunately for him, you can't have two AFC teams in the Superbowl. So his last ride has to end in Foxboro.

My Pick: New England Patriots

Thanks for reading!

2012-13 Picks - NFL - Divisional Playoffs (Sunday)

It’ll be tough to live up to the standards of excitement of Saturday’s games, but the Falcons and Seahawks are more closely matched than many believe. And in the late game, the Texans will likely come out swinging which should make for a compelling start. The story lines that may be the result of these games though is pretty compelling. Pats v. Broncos? Seahawks v. 49ers? Lets roll.

Sunday, January 13

Seattle @ Atlanta | 12:00 pm CT
The Atlanta Falcons are coming off of another 13-win season. Matt Ryan has got weapons all over the field and a fairly strong offensive line to protect him. Their biggest offense weapons, Jones and White are both deep threats and Ryan has the arm to put it there. But if there’s a secondary that can hold their own against them, it’s the Legion of Doom of the Seahawks. This team is dangerous because of its ‘chip on the shoulder’ mentality – and Russell Wilson. At the end of the day Falcons have something to prove this year, I just don’t buy what they’re selling.

My Pick: Seahawks

Houston @ New England | 3:30 pm CT
The Texans were embarrassed by the Pats on Monday Night Football earlier this year. It was ugly. Not to mention, the Pats were without their star TE, Rob Gronkowski. The balance on offense for the Patriots this year is back, and their defense has been creating turnovers. But the Texans are a little ticked off at how little of a shot they’ve been given against the Belichick / Brady combination. Will they have enough steam to power through 4 quarters in Foxboro? Probably not.

My Pick: Patriots

Thanks for reading!

2012-13 Picks - NFL - Divisional Playoffs (Saturday)

This weekend doesn't really need much set up. So I’ll just drop a few names. Peyton Manning. Ray Lewis. Aaron Rodgers. Patrick Willis.

Enjoy.

Saturday, January 12

Baltimore @ Denver | 3:30 pm CT
This is by far the hardest game for me to pick in these playoffs. Between Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, John Harbaugh, Champ Bailey and Von Miller, there’s so much on both sides of the ball that it’s more / less a coin flip. The weather seems to suit the Ravens. But Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning and he’s hungry to get back to the Superbowl. But after watching Rey Lewis’ postgame speech after beating the Colts, it’s tough not to be pumped up for the Ravens. Then again Von Miller has really been getting to the QB this year. It was a tough enough decision that I literally flipped a coin to decide. Best of 7 tosses. Heads, Broncos. Tails, Ravens. Ravens came out on top 4-3 and I was okay with that decision.

My Pick: Ravens

Green Bay @ San Francisco | 7:00 pm CT
I’ve been skeptical of the Kaepernick move to start at QB since it happened. At every opportunity that I expected him to flop, he seemed to dodge a bullet. This is the playoffs now and Aaron Rodgers is a straight shooter with a scope on his rifle. The Packers offense is healthy and the pressure is on. As Stephen A. Smith likes to say, “he’s a baaad man” and it’s tough to pick against him playing back on the west coast where he’s from.

My Pick: Packers

Thanks for reading!