Cercone’s Commentary is nothing more, or nothing less, than a compilation of words strung together to make sentences to form an opinion on things and stuff going on in the world around us. At no point in this upcoming narrative do I expect to earn points for what I say, do, or feel. Simply, I’m out to entertain and shed light on certain situations…even if that light comes from a flashlight slightly dimmer than most others. Feel free to leave comments and start some discussion so I don’t start thinking the voices in my head are actual people. Much obliged.

Credit Where It’s Due…

I hated the dude in college, I hate him in the pros. Not for the “Tebowing” nonsense, not for his strong partnership with the Lord, but for the simple fact that he’s nothing more than media hype backed up by mediocre QB play.

But, I will be the first to say that it was the play of Tim Tebow that clinched Denver’s playoff win over the Steelers. It would be easy for me, as a Steelers fan, to cite the numerous injuries Pittsburgh was suffering from. But this is the pros. You have to prepare to do battle with whatever soldiers you’ve enlisted. And when your leaders are down, you damn well better have some strong reserves in the tank.

The Steelers did not. It also didn’t help that Ike Taylor made everyone forget about his decent regular season by turning in a pile of hot sewage in the Wild Card round. But I digress.

The Broncos exploited the Steelers secondary and its offensive line gave Timmy all kinds of time to find receivers in which to throw lame ducks to. Only problem for the black and gold was the lame ducks were actually shredding them to bits.

From a realistic perspective, due to the injuries, the sand in the hourglass was running quite low on the Steelers hopes for back-to-back AFC Championships. If nothing else, Denver fast-forwarded the inevitable and got them a head-start on much-needed rest and recovery.

Now, with all that said….

SWEET JESUS, THAT’S ENOUGH!

“The following Tebow is Tebowed to you by the Tebow Association of Tebows for Tebows and the United Tebow of the Tebows.”

This is what I feel like I’ve been watching all damn week. Nothing but Tim Tebow, all the time. I pulled up all the sports channels on my DirecTV guide and went through them one by one…it was like a friggin’ flip book of Tebow flexing and bowing and sucking up air time and furthering the stereotype that he’ll be relevant in two years. Even the badminton channel had a 10-minute piece on how he won the intramural championship in 8th grade.

New record for tweets per second or whatever. Really, people? I shouldn’t be surprised…it’s most likely these same people keeping The Big Bang Theory on the air.

SIDEBAR: As painful as it was, I would rather watch the OT Tebow-to-Thomas play over The Big Bang Theory any day of the week. At least it’s football…and funny.

It’s too much. Too much media hype. I can’t recall ever having to root for New England, but I’ll be in prime Tebowing position and praying there’s something else to talk about heading into the Championship games next week.

The Divisional Round…

I got 75% of my picks right last week…never thought the one I’d miss was the Steelers game. Also of note, I called the score of the Saints-Lions game dead on. What did that get me? An extra sentence in this week’s commentary. Game on!

New Orleans at San Francisco – As Gorilla Monsoon often said when two mid-carders like Hillbilly Jim and The Warlord locked up, “it’s the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.” Drew Brees has looked absolutely surgical in the past couple months, and I firmly believe a win this week proves they can light it up against anyone. San Fran’s D won’t bend easy, but the Saints machine is too potent to not produce. The score won’t be what you’re used to seeing, but New Orleans will be on the right end.

PROGNOSTICATORY: New Orleans 27 – San Francisco 21

Denver at New England – For whatever reason, the world would rather see Option Boy over an all-pro move on to the championship. There’s definitely hatred of Brady too, but at least he’s a GOOD QUARTERBACK. As I said before, I’ve never had much reason to root for New England, but this week I’m on their bandwagon just so we can STOP TALKING ABOUT TIMMY! From an unbiased, un-Tebow perspective, the Pats’ offense is too much for the Broncos to stand toe-to-toe with. We already saw New England dismantle the Broncos earlier this year, proving the humanity of Timmy, contrary to popular belief. Since the Patriots defense is so GAWD awful, I’ll say the Broncos have a 10-90 chance of winning. Or is it “15″ – 85? Now I hate myself.

PROGNOSTICATORY: New England 38 – Denver 19

Houston at Baltimore – Won’t be pretty or high-scoring. Both teams have the defense. Both have the running game. The edge SLIGHTLY goes to Joe Flacco and the Ravens through the air. But Houston’s riding a bit of a hot streak, and as long as the emotional bubble doesn’t pop, they could help the Ravens lay an egg (it’s been done a few times this year…just not in Baltimore). I’m going to paint myself bold and say this one comes down to a last-second field goal.

PROGNOSTICATORY: Ready? Houston 20 – Baltimore 17 … you heard it hear first.

New York Giants at Green Bay – I find it funny that everyone’s sorta forgot the Packers went 15-1 this year and they still have Aaron Rodgers at QB. Maybe it’s because he rested Week 17 and they had a bye, but it seems a lot of TV personalities are on the Giants bandwagon this week. Sure, New York is hot. Sure, they made Matt Ryan and the Falcons look like a shell of themselves. But this is not the Falcons. This is the Pack. In Green Bay. Yes, the Giants beat them there a few years back to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. But this is a different team…with a different, and, dare I say, BETTER, quarterback.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m pining for a Saints-Packers NFC Championship. No matter what the Super Bowl matchup ends up being, that game would be better.

PROGNOSTICATORY: Green Bay 37 – New York GMEN 27

Cercone…out.

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