Admittedly, those were 2 very good games with the final outcomes unknown until deep in the 4^th quarter.  The Broncos built up a big enough lead to hold off the Patriots (who didn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders), and the Seahawks were the beneficiaries of a couple big blunders by the officiating crew at critical moments very late in the game.  So for the first time since 2010 we have the 2 number 1 seeds vying for the Lombardi Trophy (only second in stature and greatness to the Hewes Super Bowl Trophy) during SB48.

AFC Championship – # 1 Denver Broncos 26, #2 New England Patriots 16
You can’t blame the weather as being a factor in this AFC Title bout.  2 classic QB’s (the 1^st time that a championship was played with both starting QB’s over 35 years old) sparring off, but the Denver QB landing more punches than New England’s.  And – Wes Welker with that dirty hit that sent the best Patriot DB to the bench.  That really opened up the passing game for Peyton.  The Patriots Blount Force ran into an immovable obstacle, most notably “Pot Roast” (why is that the best name ever for a defensive tackle?).  Food for thought…

Tom Brady tried to get them back late in the game, but he missed a few key opportunities with errant passes.  Very un-Bradylike.  For the first time in his career, Champ is a Champ and will be playing in his 1^st SB.  That Welker helmet brings back memories of Don Beebe.

NFC Championship – #1 Seattle Seahawks, 23, #5 San Francisco (stiffed by the stripes) 49’ers 17
First thought is that gruesome knee injury to 49’er LB Navarro Bowman on his “fumble recovery” on the goal line deep in the 4^th quarter.  Nice miss on that one (of many) by the stripes.  And what about the “running into the punter” penalty that technically should have been a “roughing the punter” penalty?  Don’t the stripes know the difference between a left leg and a right leg?  Another big miss at a critical moment that dearly cost SF.

All said, the game was entertaining with the final outcome not sealed until there were 21 seconds on the clock.  Seahawk QB Wilson made a few clutch passes when he had to and The Beast tore off a long TD run, resulting in a flurry of Skittles.  Those are standard with the McBeast meal in Seattle.  Richard Sherman, let’s see how you fare against Demaryius Thomas, and let’s hope the oral diarrhea is cured shortly.

Don’t you just love these sideline “analysts”?  Especially after the game with 49er coach Jim Harbaugh.  “Coach, does it hurt lose this game?”  What the heck is he supposed to say?  “No, I’m just glad to finally get a few weeks off”?  Geezie peezie.  Fox can do better than that…

As for the participants, Greg the Great (who was the last to officially submit his scores) won both games.  Nice job!  Here is where we stand with only 1 chance left for everyone in the quest for HSBT26:

• Henrico FiveOh – simmered off this weekend, but managed to cling to the lead, with 660 points
• Greg the Great – benefitting from a 280-point weekend, is now in 2^nd with 533 points
• Comeback Kid – a mediocre weekend by his standards, but now in 3^rd place with 464 points
• 2014 Winner – did not fare well this weekend and has slipped to 4^th with 451 points (in perfect striking distance)
• Pete the Terp – did not help his cause with only 122 points over the weekend, and now sits in 5^th with 438 points
• Buffalo Bill – picked both winning teams, but amassed only 145 points and now sits in 6^th place with 327 points
• Ben the Butler – 313 points

As you prepare for SB48, it should be a dandy and it will be fun to see a game played in the elements like football should be played.  Let’s hope for a blizzard in East Rutherford on Feb 2.  I’m placing my food order for the game tomorrow – wings, pizza, sub sandwiches, beef on weck, chips and dip and a few brewskis.  I can’t wait and neither should you – for The Commish’s pre-game analysis that will undoubtedly help in making your agonizing final pick of the season.  All 7 of us are still in this, as history would strongly suggest.

~~ The Commish