Exactly a week after a truly historic volcanic explosion in the South Pacific that rattled pretty much everyone on the Pacific Rim, we were treated to history again.
At least that’s how it felt to me. This weekend felt historic. The greatest weekend of football ever.
Seems hyperbolic, but seriously, can anyone remember a more amazing 12 solid hours of football?
Four straight playoff games that came down to a field goal with no time on the clock. The last game Sunday night ended in overtime as Buffalo and Kansas City combined for a staggering 31 points in the final six-plus minutes of the game in a ridiculous slugfest that felt like a Big Eight game where no one bothers to play defense.
There were more subplots going on this weekend than a Frank Herbert novel.
Tom Brady, all 44 years of him, led Tampa Bay back from a 27-3 deficit to tie the game, only to lose when the L.A. Rams went 65 yards on two plays to set up a game-winning field goal.
Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow got sacked nine times but somehow still led the Bengals to a last-second win over Tennessee.
And my favorite game of the weekend, the 49ers, in subzero wind chill on a snowy field at Lambeau.
The 49ers had their scattershot walking heart attack of a quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo go up against Green Bay’s increasingly insufferable Aaron “I’ve done my own research” Rodgers and appeared completely outclassed for most of the game.
But in the end, it was the 49ers’ special teams and physical defense — that hasn’t always played well this year — that shocked the Packers, leading to a last-second San Francisco field goal. A 45-yard field goal … in a near-blizzard. Oh, my blood pressure …
I was a complete, total nervous wreck during that whole game. It wasn’t even all that fun for me at the time. I get way too tense. When I owned a cat, he would literally hide under the couch during those kinds of games.
Remember the scene in the Matrix II when the guy says, “I can’t take this!” after Neo rescues Trinity? That was me Saturday night. I’m really fighting hypertension right now and the 49ers are not helping.
It may have been the final time we ever see Brady and Rodgers on the field. Nearly 140,000 career passing yards may have just faded into memory this weekend.
So sorry, Seahawks fans, your team didn’t get to be part of this historic weekend. It would have seemed fitting if Seattle could have been part of it, since the Seahawks have had so many crazy wins and losses the past few years.
There’s a lot of things wrong with the NFL. The league covered up concussions for years. Racist coaches and owners. Repeated sexual harassment and assault scandals. Tony Romo, period. But for 48 hours, everything good about NFL football took center stage. There’s a reason why it’s the biggest sport in the U.S. despite of all of the problems with the league.
I seriously doubt we’ll ever see another weekend like it ever again. I’m not sure my blood pressure could take another weekend like it.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.