2011 Conference Championships and Thoughts

Prior to the 2010 season, I was hoping that it would take a couple more years than it did for Jim Harbaugh to break into the NFL head coaching ranks. At the time, I figured Lovie Smith would have a year or two more before he coached himself out of the Bears’ gig, and thought it would be awesome to see Harbaugh return to Chicago. That dream is now dead, but how good is this guy? Wow. Takes practically the same 49ers team that had disappointed its fans for years and turns it, with its disappointing first overall pick quarterback, into a team that is now one win away from the Super Bowl. Last weekend’s NFL divisional playoff games proved a couple of things. First, anything can happen when for the first time a 15-1 team went one-and-done at home (Green Bay). Second, just when it looked for certain that the league is now dominated by passing offenses, three of the four remaining teams relied on their defenses to get them where they are. I was torn in my allegiances betwe...