With all the compelling storylines still alive in the NFL Playoffs, it took some special magic to ensure that the New York Giants and New England Patriots each made their way back onto the game's biggest stage.

There will be no family feud--no Harbrowl. The 49ers won't be continuing their dramatic run that reached an incredible climax in their win over the favored Saints. Aging defensive legend Ray Lewis won't be pursuing his second ring, and the young, emotional, and incredibly talented Vernon Davis won't get a shot at his first.

Nope. Instead, we have a re-match of Super Bowl XLII, a game that ended so wildly and so unexpectedly that it's difficult to imagine this one stacking up. Facing an 18-0 Patriots team, the Giants were overmatched and - for the most part - outplayed. A miracle catch in the final moments to continue what wound up being an 83-yard game-winning drive.

So we've seen this show before, and the sequel, like most sequels, probably won't top the original. But what's even more maddening, even from a seat of objectivity, is how the 49ers and Ravens lost their games.

Both games were extremely tight down the stretch and ultimately decided by mental miscues and error in execution. For the 49ers, one could say that Alex Smith came apart at the end of the game. But a pair of turnovers from the hands (and knee) of returner Kyle Williams doomed the team.

The Ravens had a goat or two of their own--one a Billy goat. Kicker Billy Cundiff, with a chance to tie the game from 32 yards, hooked what should have been a lay-up of a field goal, and missed it wide left. Just moments earlier, receiver Lee Evans let a sure touchdown reception get slapped from his hands. Doesn't much matter at this point.

Each player is surely infinitely more upset with himself than fans have the right to be. That includes especially the ignorant sociopaths that have sent death threats to any and all of the aforementioned players. Simply no place for that.

All that aside, we roll headlong now into the two-week wait for the big dance, sure to hear little other than how incredible Tom Brady and Eli Manning both are. And who knows? Maybe it will be a great game. It just won't be anything new.