The Michaels and Collinsworth Cliché Carousel: Bears at Steelers

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This blog series follows clichés said by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in NBC Sunday Night Football games this season, using the following scoring system:

Clichés: one point

(*Clichés that appear in the Snickers Broadcast Bingo advertisement=two points*) are as follows:

he gives 110 percent, they’re playing smashmouth football, he ran out of real estate, they’re playing against the clock, tack on an extra point, time to go out and execute, marching down the field, they’re in the red zone, time to go big or go home, bet they’d like to have that one back, these guys have got to stick to the game plan, he’s their go-to guy, they can practically taste victory, it’s gonna take a miracle, he’s got a quick first step, gonna have to settle for three, it is what it is, they left it all on the field, he’s got all day to throw it, now they’re just running out the clock, they’ve got to control the line of scrimmage, that’s key to the game, this guy just loves football, it’s gut-check time

Bingos: five points

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Game IV: Chicago Bears (40) at Pittsburgh Steelers (23)-Sept. 22

1. They faded down the stretch last year-Michaels
2. So far so good-Michaels
3. A big road test-Michaels
4. It shows up on the field-Collinsworth
5. That electrified the fan base-Michaels
6. Getting it done-Collinsworth
7. He threads his way-Michaels
8. Buys time-Michaels
9. Flying around-Collinsworth
10. Moving down the field*-Michaels
11. They went crazy-Collinsworth
12. That’s big news-Collinsworth
13. Security blanket-Michaels
14. Chicago in business-Michaels
15. A touchdown here is dangerous-Collinsworth
16. Just part of the game-Collinsworth
17. Slings it over the middle-Michaels
18. Battling as hard as he can-Collinsworth
19. Right back in their face-Collinsworth
20. Getting it done-Collinsworth

Bryan Paul’s 2013 Puzzling NFL Predictions: Week 3 (television)

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On Sunday night, the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will recognize excellence in television acting, storytelling and programing. The National Football League has a strong relationship with television. According to The Washington Post, the NFL receives $3 billion annually in broadcast revenue from CBS, FOX and NBC. Over the past two years, NBC Sunday Night Football has topped the Nielsen Media Research as the highest rated program of the 2011-12 and the 2012-13 broadcast seasons.

Sometimes, television creates viewing dilemmas for football fans. Last week, Bill Simmons of ESPN and Grantland agonized in a column over how he should watch the 49ers/Seahawks Sunday Night Football game while AMC aired the third-to-last Breaking Bad episode at the same time. Fortunately, a digital video recorder (DVR) allows viewers to record programs as they air and then  a recording at the viewer’s discretion. Besides, an approximately hour-long lightning allowed viewers to watch the episode and miss little, if any, significant game action. Conspiracy theorists surely believe that the delay coincided with the Breaking Bad episode. Perhaps the 49ers and Seahawks players and coaches wanted to watch Walter White’s latest escapade before resuming play in Seattle.

Football and television entwine perfectly from an entertainment standpoint. But can iconic television programs and personalities determine NFL game winners? In honor of its prominent place within pop culture and strong partnership with football, the Week 3 predictions theme is television.

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Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)-Sept. 19-8:25 p.m.-NFL Network

The Chiefs played in the first NFL Network regular season game broadcast on Nov. 23, 2006. Since NFL Network launched Thursday Night Football, Kansas City has won one Thursday night game. Philadelphia has won two.

Pick: Philadelphia

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Detroit Lions (1-1) at Washington (0-2)-Sept. 22-1 p.m.-Fox

Animator Joseph Barbera, co-creator of The Flintstones, died in 2006, the year NFL Network began broadcasting regular season games. Washington was 13-27-1 at home during The Flintstones’ broadcast run from 1960-66. Detroit was 22-17-2 on the road.

Pick: Detroit

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San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1)-Sept. 22-1 p.m.-CBS

Universal Pictures released a live-action Flintstones movie in 1994, the year NBC banned Martin Lawrence from performing on Saturday Night Live after he told obscene jokes during its Feb. 19, 1994 broadcast. Since Lawrence’s banishment, San Diego has won 161 games. Tennessee has won 165.

Pick: Tennessee

The Michaels and Collinsworth Cliché Carousel: 49ers at Seahawks

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This blog series follows clichés said by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in NBC Sunday Night Football games this season, using the following scoring system:

Clichés: one point

(*Clichés that appear in the Snickers Broadcast Bingo advertisement=two points*) are as follows:

he gives 110 percent, they’re playing smashmouth football, he ran out of real estate, they’re playing against the clock, tack on an extra point, time to go out and execute, marching down the field, they’re in the red zone, time to go big or go home, bet they’d like to have that one back, these guys have got to stick to the game plan, he’s their go-to guy, they can practically taste victory, it’s gonna take a miracle, he’s got a quick first step, gonna have to settle for three, it is what it is, they left it all on the field, he’s got all day to throw it, now they’re just running out the clock, they’ve got to control the line of scrimmage, that’s key to the game, this guy just loves football, it’s gut-check time

Bingos: five points

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Game III: San Francisco 49ers (3) at Seattle Seahawks (29)-Sept. 15

1. The marquee matchup-Michaels
2. These guys are pretty special-Collinsworth
3. You’re in for a treat-Collinsworth
4. A yard short-Michaels
5. One of the x-factors-Collinsworth
6. Gore of course is the workhorse-Michaels
7. Seattle dodges a bullet-Michaels
8. He’s had some huge games-Michaels
9. Kaepernick buying time-Michaels
10. The protection is rock solid-Collinsworth
11. The worse thing that could happen-Collinsworth
12. Richard Sherman was a little fired up for this game-Collinsworth
13. There’s no love between him and Jim Harbaugh-Collinsworth
14. The dead-giveaway-Collinsworth
15. One of the keys*-Collinsworth
16. There was so much emotion-Collinsworth
17. Take the steam out of the crowd-Michaels
18. That is the story-Michaels
19. Seattle got a bad break-Collinsworth
20. This is a huge game-Collinsworth

Bryan Paul’s 2013 Puzzling NFL Predictions: Week 2

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The way people read literature has evolved dramatically. A 2012 Pew Internet Research Center survey reported that the percentage of American e-book readers rose from 16 percent in 2011 to 23 percent in 2012, while traditional book readers dropped from 72 percent to 67 percent. The report also stated that the percentage of e-book owners rose from 18 percent in 2011 to 33 percent in 2012 and libraries offering digital content increased from 24 percent to 31 percent. People increasingly listen to books. According to an Aug. 1, 2013 Wall Street Journal article, the audiobook industry has become a $1.2 billion enterprise that allows listeners to take in books during morning commutes to work, exercising or household tasks.

While the way people engage literature might be changing, interest in classical and contemporary works remains high. But do famous literary characters and writers influence National Football League games? In honor of its changing, but still engaging nature, the Week 2 predictions theme is literature.

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New York Jets (1-0) at New England Patriots (1-0)-Sept. 12-8:25 p.m.-NFL Network

Bill Belichick became the Patriots’ head coach in 2000, the year J.K. Rowling released Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New England was 8-6 against the Jets in years Rowling released a Harry Potter book.

Pick: New England

 

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Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Baltimore Ravens (0-1)-Sept. 15-1 p.m.-CBS

Rowling released the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, in 1997, the year Mitch Albom released his best-seller Tuesdays with Morrie. The Ravens are 160-117-1 since 1997.

Pick: Baltimore

 

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Washington (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (0-1)-Sept. 15-1 p.m.-Fox

Album was born in 1958, the year Truman Capote released Breakfast at Tiffany’s 1958. The Packers were 15-51-1 in years Capote released a book. The Redskins were 39-29-1.

Pick: Washington

 

The Michaels and Collinsworth Cliché Carousel: Ravens at Broncos

Ten years ago, Wendy’s created this magazine advertisement for chicken strips.

Upon seeing this ad, I signed my name in the blank space, cut it out and taped it to my bathroom wall. It remains there today. Ten years later, I’ve discovered another interactive advertisement that serves as the inspiration for this blog series.

In celebration of the new National Football League season, a Snickers advertisement displays a bingo board of 24 football announcing clichés:

 he gives 110 percent, they’re playing smashmouth football, he ran out of real estate, they’re playing against the clock, tack on an extra point, time to go out and execute, marching down the field, they’re in the red zone, time to go big or go home, bet they’d like to have that one back, these guys have got to stick to the game plan, he’s their go-to guy, they can practically taste victory, it’s gonna take a miracle, he’s got a quick first step, gonna have to settle for three, it is what it is, they left it all on the field, he’s got all day to throw it, now they’re just running out the clock, they’ve got to control the line of scrimmage, that’s key to the game, this guy just loves football, it’s gut-check time

The advertisement encourages viewers to pay attention to what announcers say. Of course, announcers say over clichés during games than those displayed in the advertisement.

Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, commentators of NBC Sunday Night Football, began calling games together in 2009. Since the duo started working together, NBC Sunday Night Football has won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Series twice, Michaels won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play in 2012 and Collinsworth has been a four-time co-recipient of the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Event Analyst. According to Nielsen, NBC Sunday Night Football has been the most watched television series in America over the past two seasons and Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated and MMQB rated this season’s Sunday Night Football game schedule first among the NFL’s five broadcast partners.

Despite their reputation, Michaels and Collinsworth utter their share of clichés throughout the season. What ones do they say most often?  Does one announcer say more clichés than the other? Do the two announcers use clichés with reckless abandon?

This blog will highlight clichés used in NBC Sunday Night Football games this season, using the following scoring system:

Clichés: one point (*Clichés that appear in the Snickers Broadcast Bingo advertisement=two points*)

Bingos: five points

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Game I: Baltimore Ravens (27) at Denver Broncos (49)-Sept. 5

1. A magical run-Michaels
2. All downhill after this one-Collinsworth
3. That made the difference-Michaels
4. The key of this game*-Collinsworth
5. On the money-Michaels
6. He does everything-Michaels
7. Flacco has all day*-Collinsworth
8. He just got a break-Collinsworth
9. Beating the Broncos with their own medicine-Collinsworth
10. They draw first blood-Michaels
11. Ravens caught a bit of a break-Collinsworth
12. An explosive player-Collinsworth
13. He’s has his hands full-Collinsworth
14. His picture is next to it in the dictionary-Michaels
15. That guy is something special-Collinsworth
16. That’ll move the chains-Michaels
17. A clean look-Collinsworth
18. Just had to make the move-Michaels
19. He’s really coming into his own-Michaels
20. One quarter in the books-Michaels

Bryan Paul’s 2013 Puzzling NFL Predictions: Week 1

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As the 2013 National Football League season begins, consider all the “firsts” that will take place this weekend. Players will return to the field hoping to record the first touchdown, the first tackle, the first sack or the first interception of the season while trying to avoid the first penalty, the first in-game mistake, the first turnover or the first severe injury of the season. Fans will experience the first stadium parking lot tailgate, the first football gathering among friends, the first fantasy football trash talking opportunity of the season and the first of hopefully several victories for their favorite team. Eight head coaches are beginning their first season with a new team this year and two rookie quarterbacks will start on Sunday. London will host two regular season games for the first time this season and East Rutherford, N.J. will host the first Super Bowl in a cold weather city on Feb. 2 to conclude the season.

To celebrate the excitement, hope and wishes that the first week of the NFL season brings to its players, coaches and fans, the Week 1 predictions theme is beginnings, firsts and starts.

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Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos-Sept. 5-8:30 p.m.-NBC

The Broncos played the Ravens for the first time in 1996, the year Nintendo released Pokémon Green, the first edition of the video game series, in Japan. In years a handheld Pokémon game becomes available, the Ravens are 43-46 in road games. The Broncos are 59-28 at home. Nintendo will release Pokémon X and Y on Oct. 12.

Pick: Denver

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Oakland Raiders at Indianapolis Colts-Sept. 8-1 p.m.-CBS

 Pokémon: The First Movie premiered in the United States in 1999, the year the European Union established the euro. The Raiders are 2-4 in Week 1 games in years a European country has made the euro its official currency. The Colts are 4-2. But no European countries introduced the euro in 2013.

Pick: Oakland

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Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions-Sept. 8-1 p.m.-Fox

 The euro will become Latvia’s currency in 2014. Helmut Balderis, the first Latvian to play in the National Hockey league, was born in 1952. Detroit is 243-205-7 at home since 1952.

Pick: Detroit

Here We Tebow Again

Since Tim Tebow has signed with the New England Patriots, expect ESPN anchors and analysts to ask the following questions for the rest of the summer:

1. How does Tim Tebow improve the Patriots’ chances to win the Super Bowl?
2. How many snaps will Tim Tebow take away from Tom Brady?
3. How many different ways will Tim Tebow appear on the field for the Patriots?
4. If Rob Gronkowski isn’t healthy in Week 1, will Tim Tebow take his place in the lineup?
5. Will Tim Tebow motivate the Patriots to beat the Jets?
6. How will Bill Belichick adjust the Patriots’ offense to Tim Tebow’s strengths?
7. Is Tim Tebow more likely to attend Bruins, Celtics or Red Sox games?
8. What flavor of Samuel Adams should Tim Tebow try?
9. How will Tim Tebow impact the upcoming United State Senate special election in Massachusetts?
10. Which of these Boston movies should Tim Tebow watch: The Departed, Good Will Hunting or The Town?

    Photo credit:
    http://www.patriots.com

Pop Culture “Popes”

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As the College of Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, here is a list of 10 famous “Popes.” While none of these people have served as the Bishop of Rome, they have influenced history and popular culture in their own way.

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Alexander Pope-An English poet whose works include An Essay on Criticism, The Rape of the Lock and An Essay on Man.

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Bill Pope-A film cinematographer whose credits include The Matrix franchise, Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3.

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Cassadee Pope-The lead vocalist of the band Hey Monday and the winner of The Voice in the show’s third season.

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Eddie Pope-A Major League Soccer player from 1996-2007 and a former member of the United States national team.

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John Pope-A Union general during the Civil War, best known for his role in the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Super Bowl XLVII analysis everyone can understand

Super Bowl XLVII

Baltimore Ravens (13-6) vs. San Francisco 49ers (13-4-1)-Feb. 3-6:30 p.m.-CBS

Perhaps you know the Baltimore Ravens, the AFC champions, will play the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC champions, in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday. Perhaps you’ve heard brothers Jim and John Harbaugh will coach against each other, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will be playing in his final game and that neither team has lost in the Super Bowl. Perhaps during the past two weeks you’ve seen commentators on television giving their “expert” opinions about what team they think will win.

You don’t need to know anything about football to figure out who will win Super Bowl XLVII. Bryan Paul’s Puzzling NFL Predictions presents 47 obscure Super Bowl, historical and pop culture facts with a running score that indicate the team that will win on Sunday. This unconventional method will be tested against Chuck Pollock of The Olean Times Herald, who will use traditional prognostication to determine his Super Bowl prediction.

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I

This is the 47th Super Bowl. Baltimore has won one odd-numbered Super Bowl. San Francisco has won three.

San Francisco, 1-0

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II

New Orleans, La. hosts the Super Bowl for the tenth time this year. The NFC champion is 5-4 in Crescent City Super Bowls.

San Francisco, 2-0

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III

Six of the nine New Orleans Super Bowls have been played inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The NFC Champion is 4-2 in Super Bowls played at the New Orleans Saints’ home stadium.

San Francisco, 3-0

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IV

The Superdome opened in 1975, the year Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC.  Since the show’s debut, the NFC champion is 22-15 in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco, 4-0

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V

Adam Levine, lead singer of the band Maroon 5, hosted Saturday Night Live last weekend. Since the band formed, the NFC champion is 10-9 in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco, 5-0

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VI

Maroon 5 formed in 1994, the year Steven Spielberg won the Academy Award for Best Director for Schindler’s List. In years he’s been nominated for the Oscar, the NFC champion is 4-2 in the Super Bowl. This year, Spielberg received his seventh Best Director nomination for Lincoln.

San Francisco, 6-0

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VII

President Abraham Lincoln led the United States during the American Civil War. Louisiana, the state where Super Bowl XLVII will take place, was part of the Confederacy. The AFC champion is 16-13 when the Super Bowl is played in a former Confederate state.

San Francisco, 6-1

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VIII

Richmond, Va., the Confederate capital during the Civil War, is the birthplace of actor Warren Beatty. Since Beatty married actress Annette Bening, the NFC champion is 11-9 in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco, 7-1

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IX

Beatty married Bening in 1992, the year the Washington Redskins, wearing white jerseys, defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI. Since that game, the team that wears white jerseys in the Super Bowl is 13-7. Baltimore will wear white jerseys in Super Bowl XLVII.

San Francisco, 7-2

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X

The New York Giants wore white jerseys in their 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots last year. The NFC Champion is 2-1 in Super Bowls following a Giants championship season.

San Francisco, 8-2

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XI

The Giants won their first Super Bowl in 1987 as quarterback Phil Simms won the Super Bowl XXI Most Valuable Player Award. After retiring following the 1993 season, he became a football commentator. The AFC champion is 4-2 in years Simms has been part of a Super Bowl broadcast team. Simms will provide color commentary for the CBS Super Bowl XLVII telecast.

San Francisco, 8-3

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XII

Jim Nantz will be the play-by-play announcer for the CBS Super Bowl XLVII broadcast. The AFC champion is 3-1 in Super Bowls that Nantz has had a role with CBS’ game coverage.

San Francisco, 8-4

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XIII

Nantz joined CBS in 1985. Ronald Reagan took the oath of office as President of the United States for a second time on Jan. 21, 1985. With President Barack Obama’s second inauguration taking place on Jan. 21 this year, it’s the second time in the Super Bowl era that Inauguration Day has fallen on Jan. 21.  In 1985, the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers defeated the AFC champion Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX.

San Francisco, 9-4

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XIV

The 49ers made their second Super Bowl appearance in 1985. The Ravens are playing in their second Super Bowl this year. Teams playing in the Super Bowl for a second time are 11-7.

San Francisco, 9-5

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XV

1996 marked the first season of the Baltimore Ravens franchise. In the team’s 17-year history, Baltimore is 3-1 against San Francisco.

San Francisco, 9-6

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XVI

Jonathan Ogden, the first player the Ravens drafted, played college football at UCLA. San Francisco doesn’t have any former UCLA players on its roster. Baltimore has one, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.

San Francisco, 9-7

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XVII

Ayanbadejo was born in 1976, the same year as basketball player Tim Duncan. The AFC champion is 9-6 in the Super Bowl since Duncan became an NBA player.

San Francisco, 9-8

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XVIII

The Spurs drafted Duncan in 1997. Madeleine Albright became the 64th United States Secretary of State in 1997. In years the United States Senate confirms a nominee to the Cabinet position, the AFC champion is 8-5 in the Super Bowl. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 94-3 that Sen. John Kerry will become the 68th United States Secretary of State on Feb. 1.

Tied, 9-9

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XIX

Since 1985, Kerry has represented Massachusetts in the Senate. While he served on Capitol Hill, the NFC champion was 19-9 in the Super Bowl. Luckily for Baltimore, Kerry will resign from the Senate before Super Bowl XLVII. When he hasn’t been a senator, the AFC champion is 12-6 in the Super Bowl.

Baltimore, 10-9

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XX

The Democratic Party selected Kerry as its nominee in the 2004 presidential election. Louisiana State, coached by Nick Saban, won the BCS National Championship in 2004. The NFC champion is 2-1 in the Super Bowl when a Saban-coached team wins the championship. On Jan. 7, Saban guided Alabama to a 42-14 victory over Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game.

Tied, 10-10

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Bryan Paul’s Puzzling NFL Predictions: Conference Championships

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After a disappointing Wild Card round, last weekend’s National Football League’s divisional playoff games gave fans a compelling and entertaining experience. The Baltimore Ravens stunned the Denver Broncos with a 70-yard  Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones touchdown pass to tie the game with 31 seconds left in regulation. Rookie kicker Justin Tucker later made a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime period to give Baltimore a 38-35 triumph. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick recorded 444 total yards and four touchdowns as his team beat the Green Bay Packers 45-31. After his team surrendered a 20-point fourth quarter lead, quarterback Matt Ryan rallied the Atlanta Falcons to a go-ahead field goal. Atlanta’s defense kept the Seattle Seahawks out of the end zone, securing a 30-28 win. The New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans for a second time this season with a 41-28 home victory.

Here are four conference championship facts involving the remaining NFL playoff teams.

1. Every NFC team has played in the conference championship game at least once. The Falcons will host the game for the first time on Sunday. The Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only NFC teams that have never played at home in the conference title game.

2. In the last four years, two coaches, Jets coach Rex Ryan in 2010 and 2011 and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh in 2012 and 2013, have brought their teams to the conference championship in their first two seasons with their teams. Harbaugh doesn’t want San Francisco to have the same result that New York had in back-to-back conference championship appearances. The Jets lost both AFC Championship Games in Ryan’s first two seasons as coach. The 49ers lost last year’s NFC Championship Game in Harbaugh’s first season with the team.

3. The Ravens/Patriots game on Sunday is the first AFC Championship Game rematch since the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos played each other in 1987 and 1988. Denver won both those games. New England won the championship last year.

4. The Patriots are hosting the AFC Championship Game for the fourth time in franchise history. They are 3-0  in home conference title games.

In addition to these facts, statistics from history and pop culture indicate what teams will reach Super Bowl XLVII. This post will consist of four miscellaneous facts broken up into quarters to choose a winner in each game. In the event of a 2-2 tie, a fifth “overtime” fact will determine the prediction.

You don’t need to know anything about football to enjoy this analysis. Enjoy these unique NFL conference championship predictions.

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San Francisco 49ers (12-4-1) at Atlanta Falcons (14-3)-Jan. 20-3 p.m.-Fox

 

First Quarter

Deion Sanders played for the Falcons from 1989 until 1993. He then signed with the 49ers for the 1994 season. Atlanta won one playoff game with Sanders on the team. San Francisco won three.

San Francisco, 1-0

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Second Quarter

Sanders retired in 2006, the year Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes. The home team in the NFC Championship Game is 3-0 in years Cruise ties the knot. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Cruise is single. Another marriage doesn’t appear imminent.

San Francisco, 2-0

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Third Quarter

Cruise made his first film appearance in 1981. MTV debuted on television on Aug. 1, 1981. The first music video the station aired was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles. The network’s existence will kill Atlanta’s chances of winning the NFC title. Since the channel launched, the Falcons are 6-9 in playoff games. The 49ers are 25-14.

San Francisco, 3-0

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Fourth Quarter

MTV broadcasted Total Request Live from Sept. 14, 1998 until Nov. 16, 2008. The Falcons enjoyed the music video countdown program more than the 49ers. While MTV aired the show, Atlanta was 6-5 against San Francisco.

San Francisco, 3-1

Bryan Paul’s Pick: San Francisco

Pollock’s Pick: San Francisco

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