There's two men in the MVP race, so who deserves to win?

Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson aren't only battling each other for the Comeback Player of the Year award but also for the Most Valuable Player of the Year award. Peterson, who fell just nine yards short of breaking the single season rushing record, suffered a torn ACL in December 2011 only to come back less than one calendar year later and run through his NFL competition and carry his team to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning defied the odds and after having a fourth medical procedure on his neck led the Broncos to the playoffs and had one of his best seasons in his 15 year career.
"Who is going to win it," and "who deserves to win it," are two very different things. See, this is a league that favors quarterbacks in every way possible, therefore Manning is probably going to win the MVP award. But, Adrian Peterson deserves to win this award hands down. He carried his entire team on his back and got them to the playoffs. He ran all over his competition, who knew he was going to get the ball and still couldn't stop him, and came within nine yards of breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. Keep in mind that we're currently living in a time where offenses pass the ball more than any era in NFL history. If there are football Gods then Adrian Peterson will win this award but, don't hold your breath on it.

The last Pro Bowl?... not so fast

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has let it be known that the quality of play displayed in past Pro Bowl games doesn't meet league standards and the event's future is in jeopardy. This has players like Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson prepared to give it their all this Sunday in Hawaii and play hard. According to NFL.com, Manning addressed all Pro Bowl players about the sense of urgency and intensity with which the players need to perform. Now, I'm not saying I'm going to watch the Pro Bowl, all I'm saying is I may check the score every now and then.

Patriots' weakness remains on defense

The Pats' defense played very well this season and vastly improved from 2011 but there's still not enough depth and talent on that side of the ball. Hopefully New England signs cornerback Aqib Talib to a long term deal because he makes the defense so much better with his ability to cover the opponent's top receiver one on one. When he injured his leg and left the game last night the secondary fell apart showing a lack of depth. Also, this defense is in serious need of a pass rusher. Chandler Jones is going to be good but outside of him there's no true pass rushing defender. I would expect to see these areas addressed in the upcoming NFL Draft and free agency.

Ravens vs. Patriots; Baltimore was the better team

I may be a New England Patriots fan, but first and foremost I'm a football fan. And I must admit that as much as I would have loved to see the Pats back in the Super Bowl, the Ravens are definitely going to challenge the 49ers more than New England would. The Patriots were outcoached and outplayed last night. Granted, Aqib Talib and Stevan Ridley left the games with injuries, but even if they hadn't I still think that Baltimore would have won the game. This team is playing with purpose and passion and intensity that can't be measured. Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco has played terrific through this post season stretch throwing 8 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He's bettered two future first ballot hall of famers in Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. While on the other side, the San Francisco 49ers, look almost unstoppable with their hard hitting defense and big play offense. Super Bowl XLVII, a.k.a. the "Harbaugh Bowl," is going to be a smash mouth football game and I can't wait to see it. I think that the 49ers are going to win because Colin Kaepernick is going to be too much for the Ravens' defense to handle but I'm rooting for the Ravens since I'd like to see Lewis end his career with another Super Bowl ring.

Kaep' feeding Gore

49ers running back Frank Gore has had a great season thus far and I think he'll continue his success on Sunday against the Falcons. I think the Niners are going to hand Gore the rock and he'll have his way with the Falcon's defense in large part due to the massive offensive line he runs behind and the threat of Kaepernick running the ball out of the read option. A successful running game leads to bigger and better things in the passing game.

The Falcon's finally making a playoff run, but will it last?

Falcons head coach Mike Smith and his team finally got that monkey off their back, after being "one and done" in the playoffs in three of the past four years the dirty birds finally won a playoff game and are on a Super Bowl run. But, it may come to an abrupt end when they host the always tough San Francisco 49ers this Sunday in the NFC Championship game. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is playing exceptionally well, he did after all set an NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 181 in their win over Green Bay last weekend. San Francisco's defense is very good, that's a given, but it's the offense that has found new life ever since Kaepernick took over for Alex Smith in Week 10 of the regular season. Kaepernick's rocket arm and running ability makes the offense as a whole a lot more difficult for defenses to defend. I don't believe Atlanta's defense has the ability to stop Kaepernick and that 49ers offense. I think the 49ers will win by a score of 37-30

If all goes well (for me) the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers will square off February 3, 2013 in Super Bowl XLVII.

Tom Brady vs. Ray Lewis; the final chess match

Ray Lewis has often compared playing against Tom Brady to a game of chess; if you give away your intentions then Brady is going to counter. In last year's AFC Championship game the Patriots hosted the Ravens and won 23-20. Both teams are much different this time around, the Patriots' offense has a strong running game and a healthy offensive line, not to mention a defense that is vastly improved from last year and is forcing turnovers at an alarming rate. As for the Ravens they've got a quarterback who may be entering dare I say it, the "elite" group of quarterbacks, and an always effective running game. The defense is slower but playing with extra motivation as they try to get their leader, Ray Lewis, back to the Super Bowl before he retires at season's end. Also, Baltimore has an advantage in the special teams department with rookie kicker Justin Tucker playing out of his mind and return man Jacoby Jones a threat to score every time he has the ball. This game is going to be physical, some extra stuff after the whistles I assume, good old fashioned football, and everyone watching should appreciate the two legends on the field that night; Tom Brady and Ray Lewis.
Ray Lewis is a once in a lifetime player so watch him during this game and appreciate what you're witnessing.
I predict the Patriots to win this game 34-27