Super Bowl XLVII: Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh

The matchup is set. Super Bowl XLVII will be a battle of the Harbaughs, after the 49ers and Ravens both went on the road to win their Conference Championship games. The 49ers, coached by Jim Harbaugh, came back from 17 points down to knock off the Falcons. And a few hours later, the Ravens, led by John Harbaugh, controlled the second half and took out the Patriots.

Let's start in Atlanta. I've been down on the Falcons for pretty much the entire season. More than a few times over the past few weeks, I've called them "the worst 13-3 team in NFL history." I'm actually surprised they made it this far.

One of the main reasons for my doubts is the coaching. In my opinion, Mike Smith is a major liability. Last week against Seattle, his team jumped out to a 20-0 lead. They also had a 27-7 lead entering the 4th quarter. Then they shut down. The Seahawks scored 21 straight, taking a 28-27 lead before the Falcons drove for a game-winning field goal.

Chalk that one up to a bad quarter, right? At least they did what they had to do to survive.

Fast-forward to Sunday. The Falcons take a 17-0 lead on the 49ers. At home. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. I don't care how early it is, this game should be over.

But they did it again.

Even as the Falcons went into the locker room up by 10, I'm not sure anyone in America thought they would hold on to win. As expected, the 49ers dominated the second half and won 28-24. And if not for a few mistakes by their offense, it wouldn't have even been that close.

Two consecutive weeks, two second-half collapses. That's a direct reflection of the coach. I have to believe that Mike Smith has planted himself firmly on the hot seat.

Meanwhile in Foxboro, the Ravens wrapped up the AFC by doing what not many people thought they could do, shutting down the Patriots offense. And I for one, could not be happier.

No more talk about Brady and Belichick this season. No more comparing Brady to Montana (hopefully for good). In a statistic that probably will get overlooked, Tom Brady is now 3-5 in his last 8 playoff games.

There's not really much else to say, the Ravens looked like the better, more physical team (especially in the second half) and they earned their trip to New Orleans.

And with that, it's Baltimore and San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII. I think we can all agree, the best part of the Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh matchup is that it should help greatly reduce the number of Ray Lewis stories over the next two weeks.