Count Him In

Moss is coming out of retirement and
making his return to the NFL.

He's back.

Randy Moss, who abruptly retired last August, has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers following his workout with the team on Monday.

It was just hours after he had been catching passes from head coach Jim Harbaugh, that Moss decided San Francisco would become his fifth career NFL team. The 49ers became only the second team to host a tryout for Moss after he announced on his 35th birthday (Feb. 13), that he would in fact be making a return to football.

Last Tuesday, Moss showcased his talent for the New Orleans Saints, but was not offered a contract. However, multiple team sources reported he "looked like the old Randy", leaving us to believe the Niners saw the same thing.

Our last memory of Moss is a horrific 2010 season in which he started as a New England Patriot and ended as a Tennessee Titan with a return to the Minnesota Vikings sandwiched in between.

He finished the year with career-lows in games started (11), yards per game (24.6), receptions (28) and yards (393). But it was his eight games as a Titan that caused many to believe the freak show we all use to marvel had left the theater, catching just six passes and not scoring a touchdown.

Although, it wouldn't be the first time Moss has risen from the ashes.

After two dismal seasons as a member of the Oakland Raiders in which he caught 102 passes for 11 TDs, including one season with a career-low three, Moss was traded to the Patriots on Draft Day 2007 for a fourth-round pick.

In his first season with New England, Moss was a key contributor of a Patriot team that went undefeated until they lost in Super Bowl XLII, catching a league-leading and NFL-record 23 TDs. Moss also led the NFL in touchdowns in 1998 (17), 2000 (15), 2003 (17) and 2009 (13).

And now joins a team that needs him desperately.

San Francisco possessed one of the worst receiving corps in the league last year. They cut Braylon Edwards. Josh Morgan, who played in just five games after breaking his leg, and Ted Ginn Jr. are both free agents and not expected to return.

Michael Crabtree has been inconsistent and yet to emerge as the star he was at Texas Tech since being drafted with No. 10 pick in the 2009 draft.

The Niners ended an eight-year absence from the postseason after finishing the year with a 13-3 record and their 18th NFC West Division title. But after escaping against the Saints, San Francisco lost in the NFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, 20-17.

In that lost, Crabtree was the only wide receiver to catch one of quarterback Alex Smith's 12 completions. Tight end's Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker combined by five more, while running back Frank Gore led the team with six receptions.

Speaking of Smith, San Francisco is in the process of trying to re-sign their still-unproven quarterback - a process that should become easier with the signing of Moss.

Along with his six Pro Bowl selections, Moss has been a member on four All-Pro teams. His 954 receptions and 14,858 yards are ninth and fifth all-time, respectively. Moss' 153 TDs catches are tied for second all-time with Terrell Owens, and trails only Jerry Rice's 197. Twenty-nine of those 153 scores totaled at least 50 yards, also trailing only Rice's 36.

It looks like Moss will be chasing Rice's records in the uniform he help make famous.

A Giant Kick

Tynes (9) kicking his second career game-
winning NFC Championship field goal.

For the second time in five seasons Lawrence Tynes has kicked the New York Giants into the Super Bowl.

It was Jan. 20, 2008.

On the frozen tundra that is Lambeau Field, Tynes spilt the uprights with a 47-yard game-winning field goal in overtime, sending New York to Super Bowl XLII, where they would pull off one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, dismantling the undefeated and Tom Brady-led New England Patriots.

That kick coming not long after Tynes had squandered a chance of a lifetime. The then-29-year-old kicker missed a 36-yard field goal, wide left, at the end of regulation with the score tied at 20. Not everybody gets a second chance, Tynes did and delivered.

Sunday night in San Francisco was much of the same, but then again, far different.

This time, more than four years later, Tynes made both his field goal attempts, both coming from 31-yards out. It was just five plays after both teams each had an opportunity to possess the ball at least once and second-string punter return Kevin Williams, who was filling in for an injured Ted Ginn Jr., muffed his second punt of the game, that Tynes was kicking the second road overtime-winning NFC Championship field goal of his career.

While Tynes was the hero and Williams the goat, it was the grit of the New York field general that inspired us all.

Eli Manning was bruised and battered all night long by the hard-nosed San Francisco defense. With their stout front seven, the Niners hit Manning 20 times, knocked him down another 12 and recorded six sacks, but isn't wasn't enough to keep the former Super Bowl MVP down.

His 32 completions, along with his 58 pass attempts both set a franchise postseason record. Manning also threw his 18th fourth-quarter touchdown this season, 15 coming in the regular season, a NFL record.

That 17-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, which was his first catch of the game, for the moment gave the Giants a 17-14 advantage.

Second-year sensation, Victor Cruz, enjoyed one of his biggest games of the season, catching 10 passes for 142 yards. Cruz along with running back Ahmad Bradshaw each caught a pass from Manning that went for 30-plus yards, giving New York 12 plays of 20 yards or more this postseason.

The win is the fifth consecutive road playoff win for the Giants, another NFL record. Under center in all of those victories has been Manning, becoming the first quarterback in postseason history to win five road postseason games. His mentor and head coach Tom Coughlin recorded his seventh road postseason win, tying him for the most all-time.

As for the Niners, it was a bitter end to a very magical season.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was trying to become only the sixth first-year coach in history to lead his team to the Super Bowl, took over a 6-10 San Francisco team and overnight made them winners. They finished the regular season 13-3, good enough to secure a first-round bye as the NFC No. 2 seed.

His defense became his identity. They allowed a league-best 77.3 rushing yards per contest and were tied with the Green Bay Packers for the most takeaways (38) in the NFL this season. Despite only allowing 85 rushing yards, San Francisco's defense did not force a turnover against the Giants, while their special teams unit gave it away, twice.

On offensive, after six frustrating seasons that included three different head coaches, seven offensive coordinators and 17 starting wide receivers, quarterback Alex Smith enjoyed a career year. Playing in all 16 games for only the second time in his career, Smith completed 61.3 percent of his passes, threw for 3,144 yards and had a passer rating of 90.7, all career-highs.

Smith continued his great season, outplaying the Saints' Drew Brees and giving the Niners their first playoff win in nine years.

But it was Smith's inability to convert on third down against the Giants that ended their season. San Francisco's offense was only 1-for-13 on third down conversions Sunday.

Now, with all two teams left standing New York has a date with the Patriots in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. And while Brady is out for revenge, Manning and Co. are hoping history repeats itself.

Championship Sunday Preview: Showdown In San Fran

Are you ready for some football?

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:
It will be the eighth time these two teams have met in the postseason with the Niners holding a 4-3 advantage.

The Giants are coming off an improbable win last Sunday in Lambeau Field, where they upended the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, 37-20. It was the fourth time Eli Manning has led his team to victory on the road in the postseason and could set a new NFL mark with career postseason road wins (5), if New York gets passed San Francisco's hard-nosed defense.

Manning has experienced every type of
situation in the postseason, Sunday by
the bay won't be any different.

Manning has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best late-game and playoff performers in NFL history. This season, emerging from the shadow as Peyton's little brother, Manning threw 15 fourth-quarter touchdowns, setting an NFL record.

That success translated into the postseason once again.

Manning, for the second in his career, beat Green Bay on the road in a playoff game. The first time came in final of New York's three road victories that eventually lead them to an unthinkable win in Super Bowl XLII over the undefeated Patriots.

En route to that Super Bowl appearance, the Giants' front four played a vital role in their climb to the top and that will need to be the case once again if they are to win their second Super Bowl in five years. New York is one of the rare teams in the NFL that is able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks while just rushing four defenders.

New York visited Candlestick Park earlier this year, where they were handed one of their seven losses this season. Down 27-20 in final minute of the game, Manning was driving his team down the field for the game-tying touchdown. San Francisco defensive tackle Justin Smith, who hit Drew Brees five times last Saturday, including a sack, knocked down the potential game-tying pass, giving the 49ers the win.

In the Giants' first two playoff wins this postseason, they have won each by least 17 points, becoming the one of the rare teams to accomplish that feat while starting in the wild-card round. There have been twelve total teams to do so prior to New York doing that this season. Ten of those teams that have won by that margin have gone on to win the Super Bowl.

Sounds like a recipe for success. Not to mention New York is 4-0 all-time when playing in NFC Championship.

In San Francisco, first-year new head coach Jim Harbaugh has taken a 6-10 Niners team from a year ago and made them a 13-3 division winner, while capturing the No. 2 seed in the NFC and creating arguably the NFL's best defense.

It's San Francisco's first playoff appearance and win since 2002. Their last postseason win game against none other than the Giants in the divisional round. In that game then-quarterback Jeff Garica orchestrated the second-greatest comeback in NFL postseason history, erasing a 24-point deficit and finishing the controversial game with a 39-38 lead.

Former first overall pick, Alex Smith and Co. is coming off an emotional last second victory over the New Orleans Saints. With nine seconds left and the Niners trailing by three, Smith threw a 14-yard strike to tight end Vernon Davis, creating "The Catch III", giving them the right to play in the Conference Championship.

Gore only carried the ball six times for no
 gain on Nov. 13 against the Giants before
 leaving with an injury.

In that win, Smith became only the fifth quarterback in postseason history to throw 3 TDs, rush for another and not throw an interception. The other four are Tobin Rote (1957), Joe Montana (1984), Rich Gannon (2002) and most recently Aaron Rodgers (2010).

While their offense has been much improved this season, especially the play of Smith, it will be San Francisco's defense that needs to take them to the Super Bowl. With their stout front seven, the 49ers were tied with the Packers for a league-best 38 takeaways this season and added five more turnovers to the bunch in their win against the Saints.

Both New York's Ahmad Bradshaw and San Francisco's Frank Gore did not play or were limited in the two team's first meeting this season, but are ready to go in game that is being called by many a potential blood bath.

NYG X-Factor: Eli Manning


SF X-Factor: Frank Gore


New York, 24-23

Divisional Round Preview: Saturday

As the NFL enters the Elite Eight, many teams take the field for the first time this postseason, looking to leave their footprints on the game while ending the hopes of others doing the same.

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers:
Winners of nine games in-a-row, including the postseason, the Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints head to the City by the Bay to engage in what should be a hard fought battle for a ticket to the NFC Championship game.

After getting on to a slow start last week and overcoming two early turnovers against the Detroit Lions, Brees and Co. exploded much like that have all season long with arguably the greatest offense in league history. Brees continued his record-setting season, throwing for 466 yards that included 3 touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Colston had a monster game to open the
postseason and could be prime for
another in San Francisco.

Wide receiver Marques Colston caught seven of Brees' thirty-three completions for 120 yards, averaging 17.1 yards per catch. He could be Brees' main target once again against San Francisco.

Most of New Orleans' success in recent years has come at home, something they continued this season. The Saints posted an 8-0 home record during the regular season and averaged 41.1 points per game. However, they will be a long way from home Saturday and need to show many they can play on the road if they want to capture another Super Bowl title.

All three of the Saints' losses this season came on the road, where their offense is not at potent. Sean Payton's offense averaged just 21.5 point per game away from the Superdome and in the franchise history, the Saints have never won a road playoff game, going 0-4.

If that weren't enough, New Orleans is taking on one of the stingiest defenses in the league.

Ranked as the top rushing defense in the NFL, the 49ers will need to improve their pass defense to stop the high powered Saints air attack. New Orleans was the top passing offensive in the league this year, averaging 334.2 yards per game, while the San Francisco secondary wasn't that good.

A Jim Harbaugh-led defense ranked 16th in pass defense, but flourished in a number of other major defensive categories. The Niners' 38 takeaways (23 interceptions, 15 fumbles) were a NFL-best, tying them with the Green Bay Packers. They were also in the top five in opponents rushing yards per game (1st), opponents points per game (2nd) and opponents yards per game (4th).

With Willis healthy, the Niners are
hungry in their first playoff
appearance since 2002.

A healthy Patrick Willis should also add energy and leadership to an already dangerous defense.

On offense, San Francisco is led by former first-overall pick Alex Smith, but rely on a heavy dose of running back Frank Gore to keep the chains moving. Gore played in all 16 games this season and rushed for over a 1,000 yards for the sixth time in his career. The Niners will need him to pound the rock and control the clock if they are to have any chance of ending Bree's magical season.

One thing to watch for his the play-calling of Saint's defensive coordinator Greg Williams. It is no secret that Williams has made New Orleans the most blitz-happy defense in the NFL, but he might refrain from doing that too much against Smith and Co. Why?

Smith was the fourth-best quarterback in the league this season when facing the blitz. Showing his poise in the pocket with the extra rusher, Smith had a 96.0 passer rating against the blitz, while throwing 8 TDs compared to only 1 interception.

NO X-Factor: Gregg Williams


SF X-Factor: Patrick Willis


New Orleans, 31-24


Denver Broncos at New England Patriots:
The magical story that is the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow continues Saturday in Foxborough. There they take on the highly regarded New England Patriots in a rematch of their Week 15 meeting in Denver. A game that ended Denver's impressive six-game winning streak and sent them on a three-game tail spin.

That was until last week, when Tebow and Co. shocked many by upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers and their No. 1 ranked defense in overtime, 29-23. Now they are faced with task of handing Tom Brady his third straight home postseason loss.

Von Miller has been a defensive force in
his rookie campaign

Tebow will be without leading receiver Eric Decker, who injured his knee last week in the win over the Steelers. However, in their 41-23 loss to New England on Dec. 18, the Broncos ran for 252 yards, which could be a major factor given the playing conditions.

While many discuss Tebow as the main ingredient for success in New England, it will need to be the young Bronco defense that hold the key to their success and needs to contain Brady. A defense that still looks like it will be without the 16-year veteran presence of safety Brian Dawkins.

Linebacker Von Miller, along with another rookie, safety Quinton Carter, will need to help veteran Champ Bailey command a defense up against some of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the game.

As for the Patriots, Brady is not use to sharing the limelight, but that is exactly what he's done this week with Tebow coming to town.

While many are concerned about how the Patroit defense will handle Tebow a second time around, Brady is worried solely on how to beat a franchise that he hasn't had much success against in his career. Brady is 2-6 in his career against the Broncos, one of those wins coming this year.

To make matters worse, head coach Bill Belichick's is only 4-10 all-time against the Broncos and is 4-6 since becoming the head coach of the Patriots.

Gronkowski could follow in Aaron Hernandez's
footsteps and have a big game against
Denver.

In the Patriots' win over Denver earlier this year Tebow's former teammate at Florida and tight end, Aaron Hernandez, torched the Broncos secondary for 126 yards and a TD. With Denver sure to not let that happen again, look Rob Gronkowski to continue his record-setting season and be one of Brady's main targets like he has been all season long.

New England, who had won ten straight playoff games with Brady under center until they lost to Denver in 2005 division-round, has lost three straight postseason games, including two straight at home.

All that talk can come to an end if Brady and Belichick end Tebow's improbable run.

DEN X-Factor: Von Miller


NE X-Factor: Rob Gronkowski


Denver, 24-21