Patriots rout the Broncos, 45-10

Tebow never had a shot against the Pats. The game was over on the first drive as Brady out on a show by doing just about everything Tebow couldn't do, like throwing the ball. Terrific Tom would lead the Brady Bunch by tossing 6 TDs (an NFL playoff record) with three of them to his pass-catching tight end, Rob Gronkowski. The Broncos defense simply never showed up as Brady ripped them for big play after big play and touchdown after touchdown. Tebow definitely didn't help Denver's cause as he went 9-26 with only 136 yards. In the end, New England was simply the better team as they will host next week's AFC Championship game.

Niners shock the Saints in a classic, 36-32

Alex Smith was once a first overall pick and now a QB that has failed expectations and lowered the expectations of a once proud San Francisco franchise. But for one day, Alex Smith was Joe Montana. All those expectations for the Niners turned around this season as they earned an impressive 13-3 record with a rookie head coach in Jim Harbaugh. The second seed in the playoffs still did not prove anything to the football fans of America as the Saints came marching into Candlestick, expected to win. The Niners would have to use every second of their BYE week to formulate a game plan to wrangle the Saints offense. The plan worked. Put pressure on Brees and take away the run, which Resulted in 3 sacks and 63 pass attempts from Breesy. The 49ers took advantage of some early turnovers and took a surprising 17-0 lead in the second quarter. New Orleans offense would fight back though as they took a 24-23 lead with four minutes left in the game on an explosive Darren Sproles screen play. Then things got interesting. With two minutes and in field goal range, Alex Smith ran a QB draw for 28 yards and a TD. The two-point attempt failed and San Fran held a five point lead. The crowd at Canldestick was rejuvenated; however, the unspeakable would occur. The explosive Saints offense scored a 66 yard TD from a pass to Jimmy Graham, which led to a 3 point lead after a successful two-point conversion. Then NFL history would occur. Alex Smith became Joe Montana as he led the Niners down the field to the 14 yard line with 9 seconds left. On the very next play, Vernon Davis became T.O. As he caught and hung on to a TD pass, which marked the return of the Niners to the NFC Championship game.

Cats fall to the Ducks at home, 59-57

I can not stress how important it is to win at home in the Pac 12. Going 9-0 at home then splitting games on the road can set you up with a decent record and possibly a spot in the NCAA Tournament; however, losing to a team like Oregon after you beating their more explosive rival school will get you nowhere in such a weak conference. Oregon dominated early offensively and their zone defense left the Cats scratching their heads. By the time Arizona could get something going, Oregon had jumped out to a 34-22 halftime lead. Though Arizona has always been a victim to sluggish starts but the benefactor of explosive second halves, something wasn't quite right. The Cats did end up having that great 2nd half run that we've grown accustomed to and they even took a one point lead, but the Ducks wouldn't stay flat-footed for much longer. Down the stretch, their guards and team leaders stepped up more that Kyle Fogg did for Arizona. Solo pushed the Cats within striking distance and the frosh took advantage, but the game boiled down to a late trey by Oregon and a missed buzzer-beater by Kyle Fogg.

Arizona survives against Oregon State in OT, 81-73

Thursday's game featured some stellar guard play from the top players in the conference. OSU was led by their dynamic scorer, Jared Cunningham, as they came to the McKale Center looking for a win. The Beavs gave everything the Cats could handle as they toojk a 28-26 halftime lead by quieting Arizona's top two leading scorers in Jesse Perry and Solomon Hill, but the guards stepped up big time for the Cats. Arizona went 12-22 beyond the arc as Nick Johnson, Kyle Fogg, and Brendan Lavender scored 19, 23, and 18 points to tie the game and send it to OT. The Beavers nearly won in regulation as Ahmad Starks went on a scoring rampage, but his buzzer beater rimmed out and the game went to OT at the McKale Center. Arizona would outscore OSU 9-1 in the five minute period, but a lot happened in the short time period other than scoring. Foggy just made a great lay-up over Cunningham and was fouled, which essentially iced the game. However, the two got in a scuffle and four technicals were handed out, two for each team. The Cats would hang on to win and improve to 12-5.

LSU gets blanked by Bama in the Title Game, 21-0

This is the definition of embarrassing: getting blanked in your home state against your arch rivals in the title game. This is the definition of intensity: blanking your rivals in the title game and not allowing them to cross the 50 yard line until their last drive. The Tigers had an awful show of football as they had no fight whatsoever on offense while the defense was hung out to dry against a prepared Bama offense. This was the last game for many SEC stars including Bama's Dre Kirkpatrick and Trent Richardson while LSU saw the last of the Jordan Jefferson/Jarrett Lee duo of QBs. Les Miles will be and should be criticized for not putting Jarrett Lee in the game while Jefferson was struggling as the game was still in reach. LSU was not prepared and I don't think they deserve co #1s even though the two teams split this year.

Tebow! Broncos shock the Steelers, 29-23 OT

Give Tebow some credit. Maybe he's not the flashiest QB that can throw lasers all over the field, but he was good enough to go unconventionally conventional as he went 10-21 with 316 passing yards and 2 TDs. The Broncos started hot and earned a 20-6 lead. The Steeler would tie the game with 3:48 and had a chance to set up a game-winning Fg, but Roethlisberger was sacked and pushed back out of FG range. The game would go to OT, the first ever with the new system. Tebow did the same thing he's been doing all season in OT: win. That's exactly what he did when he tossed the ball to Demaryius Thomas for an 80 yard catch and run to set up a rematch against New England and Tom Brady.

Giants shutdown the Falcons, 24-2

Marty Ice was ice cold as he and the Falcons offense was shut down all game long. The only points for the Falcons came on an intentional grounding by Eli Manning in the End Zone. Those were the first points and the only points in the game for Atlanta. The Giants were well balanced on offense as Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw steadily picked up yards and Eli was efficient enough. Green Bay better be concerned in the solid Giants defense next Sunday.