Jim Harbaugh Nearly Traded to Cleveland Browns

Earlier this evening, a story broke on Pro Football Talk that the Cleveland Browns were having serious discussions with the San Francisco 49ers regarding a trade involving coach Jim Harbaugh. For a franchise that has not won a Super Bowl, Jim Harbaugh would have been a perfect addition to the coaching staff in Cleveland, instead of Cleveland's recent hiring of Mike Pettine, the former defensive coordinator for Buffalo. In return for trading away Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers would have likely received several draft picks from the Browns. In his first three seasons with the 49ers, Harbaugh has taken the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games, as well as one Super Bowl. On the other hand, the Browns finished 2013 at 4-12, and have not made the playoffs since 2002.  For now, however, Jim Harbaugh will remain in San Francisco.

NFC Championship Preview: 49ers at Seahawks

      Before the regular season even started, it seemed as though the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks were destined to play each other in the playoffs . The Seahawks-49ers rivalry has quickly transformed into the best rivalry in the league, and this matchup in the NFC Championship Game will only add to the history of this rivalry. Back in 2009, Jim Harbaugh, a coach at Stanford, ran up the score against Pete Carroll's USC team, and the Harbaugh-Carroll rivalry was born. The rivalry has carried over into the NFL now that both Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll work for two NFL teams within the NFC West. This season, the series between these two teams is tied at one game a piece; however, the last two times San Francisco played in Seattle, the Seahawks outscored the 49ers by a total score of 71-16. The 12th Man at CenturyLink Field may be blown out of proportion at times, but there is no disputing that Seattle's fans are capable of influencing a game with their deafening noise.

San Francisco 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most streaky teams in all of football; when they're hot, they can go on 5 game winning streaks, where not even the best teams can knock them down. But when they're cold, the 49ers can lose two or three straight by 10 points or more. Luckily for San Francisco fans, the 49ers have won eight straight games, including two playoff wins over the Packers and Panthers. San Francisco's consistency relies heavily on quarterback Colin Kaepernick, where the 49ers are 13-0 when Kaepernick throws for more than 150 yards. Alongside Kaepernick is a talented group of running backs, led by 9-year veteran Frank Gore (1,128 yards and 9 touchdowns), as well as youthful backs like LaMichael James and and Anthony Dixon. Four offensive players from the 49ers were added to the Pro Bowl roster, where two came from the offensive line. Even though the offensive line is considered to be one of the best in the league, they will have their hand's full against Seattle's front-seven. On defense, San Fran's stars like Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, and Ahmad Brooks makeup the best front-seven in all of football. The 49ers ranked third in the league in points allowed, fifth in rushing yards allowed, and fourth in opposing passer rating. Similarly to San Francisco, Seattle has an incredibly well-rounded offense, but as long as they are able to shut down wide receiver Golden Tate, Seattle's passing game will struggle to create any sort of consistency.

Seattle Seahawks: When playing at home, the Seattle Seahawks are clearly the best team in all of football. A trip to New Jersey for the Super Bowl would be a different story, but as long as the Seahawks are in Seattle, they are nearly unstoppable. With just one loss at home since December of 2011, the Seahawks are capable of beating any time in the NFL, which they have proven time and time again. In Seattle's last two meetings against San Francisco at CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks have one both times, one by a score of 29-3, the other by a score of 42-13. On offense, second-year quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 3,357 passing yards 26 touchdowns this season, and a passer rating of 101.2; however, Seattle remains a run-oriented team. This season, running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,2457 yards and 12 touchdowns, where Seattle ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards per game. Seattle will be missing wide receiver Percy Harvin for Sunday's game, but since Harvin caught just one pass during the regular season, the Seahawks' offense should not be too worried. Seattle's front seven does a great job of applying pressure (rank 8th in the league in sacks), but the Hawks are known for their deadly defensive backs. Cornerback Richard Sherman, as well as safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, were all named to the Pro Bowl for their spectacular play in 2013, allowing Seattle to rank first in the league in interceptions. As a whole, the Seahawks rank first in total defense, first in pass defense, and first points allowed per game. This defense is nothing to mess around with, and despite San Francisco's talent on offense, Seattle's defense will best the Niners on Sunday.

Prediction: The San Francisco 49ers have had trouble with Seattle when the game is being played at CenturyLink Field, and with so much on the line, you know Seattle's 12th man will be deafening in the final home game of the season for the Hawks. Thanks to their consistent offense and stifling defense, we predict the Seahawks to win and advance to the Super Bowl.
Seahawks over 49ers 33-23

Jim Harbaugh is first coach in NFL history to take his team to AFC/NFC Championship Game in each of his first 3 seasons, via Elias SB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2014

Colin Kaepernick has won first 3 road starts of his playoff career. Only QB to win his first 4 ... Jake Delhomme
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2014

Super Bowl XLVII Preview: San Francisco 49ers

     The San Francisco 49ers were a touchdown away from reaching Super Bowl XLVI in 2011, but were unable to take down the New York Giants in overtime. A busy offseason made San Francisco an early favorite to win Super Bowl XLVII. However, people were assuming Alex Smith would be the quarterback leading his team through the playoffs. A quarterback change mid way through 2012 left many fans scratching their heads. Clearly, the change was a complete success, as Jim Harbaugh eyes his first Super Bowl title as a head coach in the National Football League. In this post, we will analyze San Francisco's offense and defense as the 49ers wait patiently for tomorrow's big game.

LaMichael James

Offense: Colin Kaepernick had yet to make a name for himself in football before 2012; however, after Alex Smith suffered a concussion halfway through the season, Kaepernick stepped up and enhanced the offense drastically. His running abilities provided Jim Harbuagh with the opportunity to use the read option, where, especially in the playoffs, teams were dumbfounded by San Francisco's running game. Frank Gore and Lamichael James are two lethal running backs that averaged 5.1 yards per carry throughout the duration of the playoffs. San Francisco's wide receivers include Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss, as well as tight end Vernon Davis. Kaepernick proved against Atlanta that he is capable of mounting a comeback, even if the odds are not in his favor. San Francisco was losing 17-0 to the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, but Kaepernick led multiple drives downfield, as San Francisco won by a final score of 28-24. The 49ers averaged 24.8 points per game in the regular season, and their balance is what makes this offense so lethal.
Grade: A-

Defense: The San Francisco defense is mainly centered around their front-7, a group that consists of two All-Pro defenders: Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. Aldon Smith, a second year outside linebacker for the 49ers, came extremely close to snapping Michael Strahan's sack record, and though he was unsuccessful in getting 23 sacks in 2012, Smith constantly applied pressure on the opposing team's quarterback. Even if offensive coordinators choose to double Aldon Smith, players like Justin Smith and Patrick Willis will make you pay. San Francisco ranked fourth in rushing yards allowed per game during the regular season, and even though their pass defense is under scrutiny at times, they too ranked fourth in passing yards allowed. This defense will need to sack Flacco on each possession, or at the very least, knock him off his feet. By doing so, the Ravens quarterback would be unable to set the tempo early on in the big game. The Ravens offensive game plan revolves around Ray Rice, so if he too were to struggle early on, the Ravens may be traveling back to Baltimore empty handed.
Grade: A

Super Bowl XLVII Preview

     At long last, just two teams remain, as they will be competing for the the 47th Super Bowl in the history of the National Football League. Even if Sunday's game is a complete blowout, everyone will remember Super Bowl XLVII for its nickname; the 'Harbowl.' Jim and John Harbaugh will be the first (and likely the last) pair of brothers to coach against each other in the Super Bowl. Both teams have little experience in the Super Bowl, but historically, one team has had more success when it comes to the big game over the other. San Francisco has won 5 Super Bowls since the organization joined the NFL in 1950, where as the Baltimore Ravens are looking for their second ring in thirteen years. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players! Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

NFL Award Predictions: Coach of the Year

     Unlike last year, where Jim Harbaugh was the obvious choice for NFL Coach of the Year, the battle for this award is much closer than in most. When it comes down to it, the three most deserving coaches are Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll, and Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano. Be sure to comment on who you think deserves this award!

Jim Harbaugh: In 8 days, Jim Harbaugh will be battling against the Baltimore Ravens for the Super Bowl, not having time to worry about whether or not he wins this award. However, Harbaugh made one of the most intelligent decisions in the NFL by changing quarterbacks from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick. At the beginning, this decision seemed unnecessary, as the San Francisco 49ers were doing perfectly well with Smith. Then, Kaepernick helped San Francisco win the division, as well as leading them past the Falcons for a spot in the Super Bowl. It is unlikely that the NFL hands Harbaugh his second Coach of the Year Award in a row, even though he is most deserving of the award.

Pete Carroll: In 2011, the Seattle Seahawks were 7-9, and would not be playing in January for the Super Bowl title. Once Pete Carroll drafted Russell Wilson, though, and put him in at quarterback, this team was nearly unstoppable. Seattle's defense was one of the best in the league, and Marshawn Lynch maintained a consistent running game. Eventually, the Seahawks lost to Atlanta in the Divisional Round, but the fact that this young, talented squad made a playoff appearance shows off Pete Carroll's incredible coaching abilities.

Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano: The story of the 2012 Indianapolis Colts is one of the greatest story lines in the history of the National Football League, where head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with Leukemia, and Bruce Arians stepped in, leading this team into the playoffs. Without Peyton Manning, the Colts went 2-14 in 2011. Thanks greatly to quarterback Andrew Luck, the record improved to 11-5 in 2012. There is no way the NFL will not hand Bruce Arians the Coach of the Year Award on February 2nd.

Coach of the Year Prediction: Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano