I’m not even sure there should be a full length explanation after this headline. The 49ers, with the top defense left in the NFL, and the Patriots, with the top offense left in the NFL, will bring two worlds together for this particular scribe. I’ve watched the 49ers my whole life — before I even cared for football (many, many years ago) — and I’ve watched the Patriots intently for the past three seasons. They are in my opinion the best two teams left, regardless of conference, bias included.
(My head is spinning with thoughts on the possibility … the probability … that the Patriots will play the 49ers, let alone in the Super Bowl. I feel like Quagmire in Family Guy … giggity.)
The tough part here is that I think the 49ers have a greater chance to lose against an amazing New York Giants team that has been balling out in the last month than the Patriots do against the Baltimore Ravens who make way too many mistakes for a team of its caliber. However, I do think the 49ers prevail. They showed me something against the New Orleans Saints. There’s some mustard in that bottle that we didn’t know was there before. And now that the whole world has had a chance to see the gusto in which Alex Smith can play, you have to look at the 49ers’ offense as equally competent as the team’s defense. It’s a tough sell against a Giants team that features Eli Manning and a defensive line to die for. But these aren’t cavalier times. It’s one side or the other and I’m going with the hometown team.
For my reasons why I’m picking the Patriots, check out my Patriots-Ravens predictions. That should tell you everything you need to know.
Giants at 49ers
My pick: 49ers
Ravens at Patriots
My pick: Patriots
Last week: 3-1
Postseason: 5-2
Regular season: 135-83 (61.9 percent)
