Yes, I’ve been stalling.
I wanted to collect every last bit of information I could before I committed this column to print, as both these games will be close contests. Let’s get started.
NFC Championship
I pick the SF 49ers over the NY Giants.
Am I biased? Of course, I’m a Niners fan. But not blindly so. I amassed some key information and analyzed some important match-ups to back up my pick, although I did that after I already made my pick, hence the bias.
Here’s what I learned.
Youth Movement
I examined both rosters for age, and gave the edge to the younger team. That would be the 49ers, which come in at a mean average of 26 years old, while the NY Giants came in at 27.
Nine players on the 49ers are 30 years of age or older, compared to 11 on the Giants.
Injury Reports
The Giants reported nine players with issues, including Manning’s 24-hour bug. I expect him to be healthy for the game, though.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw’s foot problems could be a sticking point.
On the 49ers side, there were only six players hobbled, but Ted Ginn Jr., Patrick Willis and Jonathan Goodwin could be major losses if they don’t play. All are listed as questionable.
I’ll call this one a push.
Coaches Corner
I’ll take Jim Harbaugh over Tom Coughlin. Do I really have to explain why? Okay, I will then.
Harbaugh’s like Tony Robbins. He motivates. Coughlin’s like the guy who won’t give your ball back when it goes on his lawn. He’s cranky.
Weather Conditions
Candlestick Park looks to be cold, windy and rainy on Sunday, according to weather.com. These conditions favor defense, and I prefer the 49ers fourth-ranked defense over the Giants 26-ranked crew —although I’ll admit they’re playing over their heads in the playoffs.
The weather will also take away any quarterback advantage the Giants have. Eli Manning may be one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, but not when he’s throwing knuckle balls into the winds of Candlestick. But QB Alex Smith should have no problem doing what he does best — short, laser-like passes and handing off to Frank Gore.
I know I said this about last week’s game, but I’m saying it again — Frank Gore must have a great game for the 49ers to win.
The Key Match-up
The 49ers need to stop Manning to win the NFC Championship. And that means 49er pass rushing specialist Justin Smith will have to kick butt on Giants left tackle David Diehl.
Whoever wins that match-up wins the game.
Kicking Game
David Akers will continue to be rock solid, as he kicks the 49ers to a one-point win.
AFC Championship
While my NFC pick went against conventional wisdom, I’m with most of the ESPN pundits on their AFC predictions—Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will defeat the Baltimore Ravens. Handily.
The key match-up? Ravens safety Ed Reed versus common sense. What kind of idiot criticizes his own quarterback before a big game, thereby creating a distraction for this entire team?
That idiot would be Reed. Idiot.
Still, he’s right. Joe Flacco did look rattled in the game against the Texans, and he’ll look even more rattled in Foxborough.
Tom Brady will pick apart the defense, and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will run roughshod over the Ravens secondary. Wes Welker will be the usual stone in everyone’s shoe, and just when Baltimore thinks they’ve got the New England offense contained, midget running back Danny Woodhead will come out of nowhere to score.
This game doesn’t need a whole hellofa lot of analysis. Patriots by 14.
(Note: Here’s one idiotic prediction. Ray Lewis will get injured in the game. Why? Because he’s older, he’s a warrior, and he’ll try too hard.)
There. Now go make that phone call to Vegas.
Last Minute Notes
– I just checked, and there is one ex-Penn State player on the 49ers, two on the Giants. If there is a distraction from Joe Pa’s death it favors San Francisco.
– New England 23, Baltimore 20. Why was it so close? Because Flacco played way better than expected. And Brady way worse.
– The game ended in a 17-17 tie, and the Giants won with a field goal in overtime. I was thinking it would be a 49ers win at 17-16. Oh, well.
-30-
Austin Sports Guy 
Conveniently waiting until after both games have been played, I’m picking the Giants in the NFC and Pats in the AFC.
Excellent.
The problem was a receiver and field-goal kicker both flamed out in the waning seconds of the Ravens/Patriots and it was apparently decreed that such a scenarior could only happen once per afternoon of football. Instead, we get the non-return of the return man – twice.
Yeah, poor Kyle Williams had a bad day for the 49ers. The real problem? Ted Ginn Jr.’s injury kept him on the bench. That was the difference in the game I think. Ginn’s not going ti make the same mistake Williams did. Oh, well. They still did way better than I thought they would this year.