The NFL Thread 2012: Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII

[theRepublic]

smbu2000 said:

Chris Hu said:

There is no way Akers could have won the first game against the Ram because the Rams would have won that easily in overtime if they had a better kicker.  Also last years Packers shot themselves in the the foot by going into shotdown mode before the season was over. 

Both kickers were 1/2 in that first game.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=321111025

San Francisco's David Akers missed wide left on a 41-yard attempt that could have sealed it for the 49ers (6-2-1), who lost quarterback Alex Smith to a first-half concussion.

"I don't know what to make of this," Willis said. "We have one of the best kickers in the game, and it came down to him at the end and he misses it. That tells you right there something wasn't right."

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=321202014

The 49ers (8-3-1) failed to take advantage of a 14-yard punt by rookie Johnny Hekker to midfield when David Akers was barely wide right on a 51-yard attempt with 4:11 to go in overtime. Akers is just 7 for 15 from 40 yards and beyond.

"I probably missed it by 3-4 inches to the right," Akers said. "I just feel horrible for letting my teammates, the organization and the fans down."

The Rams were closer to winning that game than the 49ers.  A barely late snap and then a barely illegal formation erased two plays.  Either play would have won the game for the Rams.