Har-baughlls Out

I've been involved in sports in one form or another all my life.  Playing as a kid and becoming a fan to now working in the industry.  Living in Vegas you see and hear some crazy things.  As a writer in a sportsbook, you hear even crazier things when it comes to betting theories.  For the nearly three years I was behind the counter, I heard countless ideas that left me shaking my head.  But in the last couple days I've finally had enough.  It is time to draw a line  Not some fake line in the sand that can get erased either.  This is a carved in granite, deeper than the Grand Canyon line. 

The theory I have heard on more than one occasion this week revolves around the NFL conference championship games.  It goes like this; IF the Ravens win on Sunday, you know the 49ers will win because Jim Harbaugh will want to play his brother in the Super Bowl.  HUH?!?!  REALLY???  Now, I've heard numerous excuses to place a bet on a particular side, but this is by far the most ludicrous.  When I heard it the first time I basically laughed it off.  But upon hearing it a few more times I had to say something or my head would have exploded.  For this theory to even be plausible, one has to assume that a coach of an NFL team, playing for an opportunity to lead his team to the largest stage in his sport, is somehow not already trying his hardest.  Think about that for a moment.  Keep thinking.  Now, add on top of that the coach in question is one of the most intense, and it gets even more ridiculous.  I'm no cheerleader for Jim Harbaugh.  I think he has done a remarkable job in his first season, but other than that I'm pretty indifferent.  But to imply that the guy is magically going to try harder because his brother won earlier in the day is insane.  However, let's go down that path for just a step.  Let us spend a minute in fantasy land and pretend that Jim Harbaugh will suddenly care more and want to win more if his brother is successful.  IT'S TOO FRIGGIN' LATE!!!  Ask anybody that knows anything about football and they will tell you that the majority of success comes from preparation.  IF Baltimore wins Sunday, Jim won't be jumping into his DeLorean, firing up the flux capacitor with 1.21 gigiwatts of plutonium power,  and travelling back in time to make his team practice more or break down more film.  I doubt the playcalling will be any more intense if Baltimore wins rather than loses.  Whatever is going to happen to the 49ers on Sunday will be happening whether the Ravens win or lose.  The outcome will not be determined in any way, shape or form based on what happens in Foxborough. 

(Deep breath)  Ok, now that I have that out of the way, the Ravens and 49ers will win this weekend.  I was asked when the playoffs started who I thought would be in the Super Bowl and I predicted those two teams so I will stick with them now.  But it has nothing to do with super magical motivation.  I just believe those are the better teams left.  All year long we witnessed an offensive explosion with passing records being shattered.  The old theory had been blown up, offense can win championships.  Then last week happened and both the Packers and Saints got beat.  Whoops.  Defense does still win championships and that's where my money will be this weekend.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.