Kyle Williams fumbled two punt returns, both leading to crucial scores by the New York Giants, who defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime yesterday at Candlestick Park to advance to the Super Bowl. The Giants will face the New England Patriots in a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, which was won in dramatic fashion by the Giants to end the Patriots' bid for an unbeaten season.
The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20, thanks to a badly missed 32-yard field goal attempt by Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff with 11 seconds to go in the game. After having some time to settle down (I was rooting for the Ravens and the 49ers yesterday), I do feel bad for Cundiff and Williams.
But, what a way to lose. I guess it's fair to say that athletes are human and have moments where they simply come up short. It's gotta hurt to know that your team still could have had a chance to go to the Super Bowl if not for your mistakes. I feel bad for both of those guys. Both contributed to their teams and certainly aren't solely responsible for the losses. It just leaves a sour taste in your mouth to be so close to victory and come up short in such a big game.
As for the Super Bowl, I see it being a close game. And... I'm going to take the Giants again in a bit of an upset. This team, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning have a penchant for coming up big in big games, especially when people aren't exactly counting on them to win. Plus, the Giants won at New England in the regular season in dramatic fashion. That game, as much as any, shows that the team has the it factor.
All that being said, a number of Patriots players and coaches doubtless are motivated by such a devastating loss in the 2008 Super Bowl, not to mention a tough home loss to the Giants in the regular season. I expect a hard-hitting, smash-mouth, intense, close game from both sides, but I am going with the Giants to win it all.
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