Harbaugh Bowl or a return meeting with Brady and company? I prefer the former.

But it's interesting how perceptions change almost second by second. The narrative was already being reinforced about how Atlanta chokes in big games. Other than two passes and a kick in the last thirty seconds they helped engineer what was looking to equal the biggest collapse in NFL playoff history. Bobby Layne beating the Niners in 1957. It would have capped three or four years of monumental choke jobs and possibly have led to serious franchise questions.

So they manage to string a nice sideline pass and a simple throw over the middle into acceptable field goal position. Both plays requiring timeouts to save the clock. They would have been dead without the timeouts in fact because the first catch ended up in bounds and wouldn't even have allowed another play except a Hail Mary. And Seattle blitzed both times, not getting to Ryan. Anyways, they do pull it off.

Now I'm watching and reading commentary about 'the monkey being off their backs' which will suddenly allow them to burst into the dominating team that some think they could be. And who was it on the NFL Network? Deion or Irvin? Talking about how Wilson actually was more of a challenge than Kap because he's more elusive in ' small spaces.' also how the Falcon crowd will be a factor.

There will arguments both ways of course, and no one will know till the game is played. But I just don't see this narrow escape by Atlanta as reflective of intimidating greatness. Or a team to be feared more than Green Bay or Seattle. A legitimate playoff team and a realistic threat, of course. But if Seattle didn't make so many first half mistakes they could have won. Atlanta came out strong, and probably will be coached and motivated the same way. I doubt they would defer if they win the coin toss. I feel the Niners will put up enough points to win, and the real questions will be with the defense. Pressure up front will be the key. Ryan and his receivers can't be at their best when there's consistent disruption up front.

Last Edited By: Arnold49 01/13/13 08:57 PM. Edited 1 times.