SportsNation Blog Archives
San Francisco 49ers
On Thursday, "First Take" debated the 49ers' position as potential favorites to win the NFC. They came awfully close last season, falling just short against the Giants, but they've upgraded their receiving corps this season with Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. Herm Edwards thinks they're the favorite on paper, while Skip Bayless doesn't even think they'll win their division. What's your take?
On Tuesday, "First Take" debated Randy Moss's impact on the San Francisco 49ers. Stephen A. Smith thinks that taking a year off will pay dividends for the mercurial Moss, while Skip Bayless thinks even though it's a low-risk, high-reward move for San Francisco, he's still not expecting much from Moss. What's your take?
The 49ers may have wanted Peyton Manning to wear red and gold this season, but since he's not available they decided to stick with the guy who got them to the NFC Championship Game last year. Sources say that San Francisco has re-signed Alex Smith to a three-year deal worth an average of $8 million per season. Smith seemed to have something of a breakthrough in 2011, but was his ascendance something of a fluke?
2012 expectations?
The 49ers went 13-3 and made the NFC Championship Game in the 2011 season. The addition of Randy Moss could be just the thing needed for San Francisco to really make a run at the Lombardi Trophy.
Is Smith elite?
Alex Smith had been heavily criticized during his time in San Francisco, but 2011 was a fantastic year for him -- 3,144 yards, 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Any lingering issues?
Smith was obviously the backup plan for San Francisco in case it missed out on Peyton Manning, but are both sides professional enough to make it work?
Peyton Manning apparently has a new home. The quarterback has reportedly instructed his agent to begin negotiations with the Denver Broncos in a move that would alter the balance of power in the AFC West if it's true. Manning's decision will have a ripple effect across the NFL: What the Broncos should do with Tim Tebow? Have the 49ers ruined their relationship with Alex Smith? And just what have the Dolphins been thinking during this entire ordeal? It should be lots of fun to see how it all plays out.
A good fit?
Manning will look awful strange in Broncos colors, but we're sure fans in Denver will get over the brief visual incongruity if it leads to dozens of passing touchdowns.
Expectations of Manning?
After missing the 2011 season with a neck injury, Manning is looking to prove to all of football that he is still an elite quarterback.
Trade Tebow?
Tim Tebow could make a good backup for Manning, but should the Broncos trade him to a team that needs a fresh start at quarterback?
Smith's fate?
The 49ers seem willing to let Alex Smith sign elsewhere, despite the quarterback's emergence in 2011.
Is Flacco a net positive?
Joe Flacco has come under a lot of criticism for his playoff performance, but it may not be fair to him. After all, we can't all be Tom Brady.
Coming through in the clutch?
Speaking of Tom Brady, the Patriots' offense has been putting people on notice for most of the season. That's not to say that the Ravens' defense will just roll over on Sunday, however.
Gronkowski vs. Rice?
Both Rob Gronkowski and Ray Rice cause humongous matchup problems for opposing teams; Gronkowski with his size and surprising speed, and Rice with his craftiness and elusive running style.
Ed Reed's status?
The Ravens' defense is top-notch, but the Ravens' defense without Ed Reed is a poor imitation of the real thing. It also is lacking in sweet beards.
Which defensive stars are better?
Both the 49ers and Giants have some big names on defense, but only one quartet is going to make a difference on Sunday.
Harbaugh or Coughlin?
Jim Harbaugh's positivity and youthful vigor contrasts greatly with Tom Coughlin's dour authoritarianism, but both coaches have gotten the most out of their teams this season.
Which running game would you take?
Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have been the Giants' go-to ball carriers for several years now. Are they better than the combo of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter?
Cruz or Nicks?
Victory Cruz and Hakeem Nicks have been terrifying opponents in the playoffs, getting open on long routes and pulling down Hail Mary passes with startling regularity.
The most impressive NFC quarterback?
Most of SN expected this to be a debate about Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Was Eli Manning beating Rodgers in Lambeau more impressive than Alex Smith beating Brees at home?
Does either team have an edge?
Going back to the regular season, Smith ranked ninth in the NFL with a 90.7 passer rating, two spots behind Eli Manning at 92.9.
Did Alex Smith win you over?
How much of a difference did one game make in how you define Alex Smith, he of the 68 career touchdowns and 58 career interceptions?
The clutch brother in the family?
Eli Manning won't match a lot of Peyton Manning's numbers, but he's two wins away from passing his older brother in rings and beat both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau Field.
Who had bigger cleats to fill?
Smith had to live with the comparisons to Joe Montana (above) and Steve Young throughout his time in San Francisco, but Manning has been Peyton's brother his whole life.
Immovable defense or irresistible offense?
We'll get to the specific teams momentarily, but which brand of football do you trust in January?
Vote: Five questions for Saints at 49ers
Will the Saints struggle outdoors?
Speaking of irresistible offenses, the Saints had a 120.5 passer rating indoors and a 96.4 rating outdoors. They also ran for 148.4 yards per game indoors but just 107.2 outdoors.
Which team is truly special?
The 49ers produced both NFC kicking representatives for the Pro Bowl, Andy Lee and David Akers, but would you trade their work for the returns of Darren Sproles?
Can you hear me now?
Sean Payton says it's hogwash, but some reports suggest the Saints coach blitzed the 49ers in the preseason because he felt Jim Harbaugh stiffed him on a phone call.
Not-so-secret weapon for Patriots?
Josh McDaniels wasn't a hit as coach of the Broncos, but will his return to the Patriots be key?
Vote: Five questions for Broncos at Patriots
Is the pressure all on Tom Brady?
The "other" quarterback in this game, Tom Brady has lost three straight playoff games. Even for a future Hall of Famer, would losing this one lead to whispers?
Who is SportsNation's quarterback?
There isn't a question as to who the more accomplished quarterback is in Saturday's game, but does Brady trail Tebow in popularity?
Does familiarity help or hurt underdog?
The final score didn't work out so well for the Broncos when the teams met earlier this season, but should parts of that game encourage them?
Last team standing?
SportsNation is picking the Patriots (65%), Ravens (75%), Packers (67%) and Saints (66%) to advance to the conference finals.
How would you rank the remaining NFL playoff teams?
The Broncos showed their resiliency with a hard-fought, overtime win against the Steelers behind Tim Tebow's season-high 316 passing yards. Meanwhile, the Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history riding on the shoulders of wide receiver Andre Johnson and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
Over in the NFC, the Saints put up 45 points on the Lions as Drew Brees threw for 466 yards, placing him second only to Bernie Kosar for most passing yards in a playoff game. The Giants dominated the Falcons through the air and on the ground while Big Blue's defense held Atlanta's offense scoreless.
With the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds back in action, which team do you think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl?
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NFL divisional playoff teams
49ers
49ers
Regular season: 13-3
Broncos
Broncos
Regular season: 8-8
Wild-card: defeated Pittsburgh 29-23 OT
Giants
Giants
Regular season: 9-7
Wild-card: defeated Altlanta 24-2
Packers
Packers
Regular season: 15-1
Patriots
Patriots
Regular season: 13-3
Ravens
Ravens
Regular season: 12-4
Saints
Saints
Regular season: 13-3
Wild-card: defeated Detroit 45-28
Texans
Texans
Regular season: 9-6
Wild-card: defeated Bengals 31-10
Is Big Ben's ankle OK?
The Steelers have never really been known for their offensive prowess, but a 20-3 loss to the 49ers may have fans worried about Ben Roethlisberger.
Which team is a playoff danger?
Both San Francisco and Pittsburgh are playoff-bound, and though the Steelers have reams of experience in the postseason, the 49ers seem to have the advantage in momentum.
Has Alex Smith turned a corner?
Alex Smith was heavily (and rightly) cricitized during the Mike Singletary era, but he's been exceptional this season -- 16 touchdown passes, only five interceptions and a completion rate well above 60 percent.
A blackout disaster?
The lights went out twice last night, although fortunately neither time was during an actual play. If so, the results could have been disastrous. Or hilarious. Maybe both.
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