It could happen. Rookie 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, a lock for coach of the year, watched his team defeat the Drew Brees led New Orleans Saints, no small feat, in what was likely one of the most exciting games ever played. Particularly in the playoffs.
Next weekend, they'll host the New York Giants, who seem to be peaking at just the right time. They just waltzed into Lambeau Field and humbled the formidable Green Bay Packers. Not to take anything away from Eli Manning and the Giants, because they played a helluva game, but on the Packers' side of the ledger -- when they lose 3 fumbles, give up a Hail Mary for a touchdown at the end of the first half, and their entire receiver corps seemed to develop a mysterious case of the "dropsies" -- getting beat is what happens.
Eli and head coach Tom Coughlin have been there, done that, but there's something magical about this resurgent 49er team. QB Alex Smith, who many wanted to throw on the scrap heap even as recently as last year, has been rejuvenated under Harbaugh. San Fran's got a league-leading defense, and they don't beat themselves with silly mistakes. Plus they're playing at home. It should be a very interesting game, but I'd think the odds-makers would slightly favor the 49ers. If they win, they go to the Super Bowl.
On the AFC side, the Baltimore Ravens, at home, and as battle-tested as they come, knocked off the up and coming Houston Texans, who were playing without their starting QB. No big surprise there. Tom Brady and company blasted Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos, with or without Divine Intervention. That was to be expected.
Now Baltimore goes to New England. Certainly, the Patriots will be favored, but the Ravens likely won't allow Brady to stand back in the pocket like an Emperor surveying his kingdom, waiting for a receiver to finally come open, like the Broncos did. If they can bring enough heat to bear on Brady, and put him on the ground a few times, that game could get very interesting as well. New England also has a very porous defense and, not counting the Denver game, haven't fared well in the playoffs for the last few years. Baltimore might very well pull a minor upset.
If it works out like that, and it's surely not much of a stretch, it would be San Fran vs Balt in the Super Bowl. Harbaugh vs Harbaugh. Big brother vs little brother, though John is only 1 year older than Jim. A guy who was an unheard of defensive back for Miami of Ohio vs a guy who was the star QB at Michigan. One who cut his coaching teeth as an assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles vs the other who successfully moved up through the college ranks as a head coach.
I hope it happens. The Patriots have enough glory in their trophy case, and the Giants won the Super Bowl not long ago. And wouldn't it be interesting to see Harbaugh vs Harbaugh?
The down side? Having to withstand 2 weeks of endless media blather leading up to the game, while cub reporters and talking heads furiously dig up, and present, worthless trivia over their sibling rivalry. That might even include home movies. We could be treated to who won the back yard wiffle-ball game back in 1970, little league baseball stats, graduation, prom, and wedding pictures, and who knows what else? Please spare us the video of the two of them splashing around in a bathtub when they were 3 and 4 years old, because I will fail to see how that is even remotely connected with the Super Bowl showdown that is on the horizon. Is that too much to ask?
Two physical teams that pride themselves on defense and discipline. A game that will be played under a dome in Indianapolis under ideal conditions, which is usually beneficial to offenses.
There's no "Cinderella" team left. All 4 of the above are the real deal, and it should make for 2 very good games. One never knows for sure about such things, but I just can't see a blowout happening in either one. We'll find out next weekend, when it gets pared down to the Final 2.
Harbaugh vs Harbaugh would be a lot more fun than watching Belichick and Coughlin. I'm not sure either one of those guys has ever even smiled, let alone laughed.
Besides, after the game, maybe John and Jim would "indian leg wrestle" at midfield. Just for old times' sake.
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