After a perfect weekend of predictions last week in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, I’m feeling pretty confident. Both of my predicted Super Bowl representatives are still alive and well. Time to get on to Sunday’s games!
AFC Championship – New England Patriots (No. 2 Seed) at Denver Broncos (No. 1 Seed) 3:00 p.m. EST: In the AFC Championship it’s straight chalk. The Number 1 seed hosting the Number 2 seed. Peyton Manning verse Tom Brady. A battle between this generations top two quarterbacks, first ballot Hall of Famers. Even if you’re not a fan of either of these teams there’s absolutely no way you cannot be excited for this game. And not to mention, this could be the last time these to quarterbacks face-off; but that’s a conversation for another day.
For those of you who read my playoff preview three weeks ago, you already know what team I’m going with in this match-up; the Denver Broncos. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is having the best season in NFL history by any quarterback to date, and his momentum from the regular season has carried into the postseason. The Broncos offense has too much fire power for a banged up New England defense to handle. If defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and inside linebacker Brandon Spikes were in the starting line-up for the Patriots defense Sunday, this outcome might be different. But they’re not, they’re both on Injured Reserve. Denver wins in a high scoring affair. Denver: 45-31
NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers (No. 5 Seed) at Seattle Seahawks (No. 1 Seed) 6:30 p.m. EST: No, this game isn’t straight chalk, but it’s a very enticing match-up. These are two teams that hate each other. I mean LITERALLY hate each other. The hatred has grown so deep between these two teams that the Seattle Seahawks organization isn’t selling any ticket’s to California residents for Sunday’s game. Talk about a drastic step to ensure a home-field advantage for the Seahawks. However, I don’t think the Seahawks efforts to keep San Francisco fans out of their stadium will be enough to ensure a “W” on Sunday.
I like this San Francisco team way too much. The 49ers are clicking at the right time and finally have all of their pieces healthy. A dominate offense, thanks to a steady dose of running back Frank Gore on the ground and wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis through the air is too deadly for the Seahawks. With the inconsistent play from Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson lately, the Seahwas offense is centered too much on the ground game lead by Marshawn Lynch and with the terrifying run defense from San Francisco, the Seahawks don’t have enough to get past their NFC West rivals and make it to the Super Bowl this year. San Francisco wins in a tight one. 49ers: 27-20
