NFL Conference Championship Round Preview And Picks

This Sunday will be our 20th week of football and we’re down to four teams. We’re left with the best 3 teams.. and then there’s the Broncos.  Here’s a quick recap of last week’s games.

Tom Brady took care of business at home last week. And when I say took care of business, I mean he let the Chiefs hang around just long enough for Andy Reid to blow the game with his awful clock management. The Chiefs 11 game win streak came to an abrupt halt as Terrific Tom appears in his 5th STRAIGHT AFC TITLE GAME (baaaaaa). Side note this game featured two ninth string running backs. Saturday’s night game was the biggest backdoor cover of the year. The surging Cardinals take on the shaky Packers — all of the money was on the Cards -7.  But no, of course Rodgers knocks down TWO hail marys, sends it to overtime and the Packers cover by a point. Controversy in OT though: Is it a coin toss or coin flip? Because if it’s a coin toss then everyone stop whining, he tossed it! Thankfully the Cardinals won the toss/flip on the second go-around or we would of had the biggest scandal since… last year. Carolina showed everyone that they deserved to be here, and then they showed everyone that you cannot trust them.  Still when the game was on the line in the fourth they played their best football. A classic performance by the Broncos. Once again they hang around, some funky stuff goes on, and there they go to the AFC championship game.  The Steelers were hobbled, had three separate chances to put the game away, and couldn’t win. So now we have to watch two of the most legendary QBs ever, who have a long history of great games, who we have an ongoing argument about who might be the best ever, who may never meet again, duke it out in the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP… what a surprise. Can’t make this stuff up… unless you can.

Moving on.

1. Patriots at Broncos, Sunday 1/24 3:05PM (NE -3)
   • Did I say moving on? Peyton vs. Brady! If you watched last week’s game — don’t be fooled: the ghost of Peyton Manning simply can’t throw a football. When he throws down the field, it’s out of bounds. When he throws short, it wobbles. STILL, it’s Peyton and that is enough to turn the game on. He’s still the best at the line of scrimmage, and he’s still probably the smartest person on the field. On the other side of the ball is the great quarterback-coach tandem of all time, probably the great tight end to ever play the game, andddd that’s it. The Pats are going to be relying heavily on their offense in this game.  If I was to make a prediction, the Patriots just have to score 21 points to win the game. Big players make big plays in big games. Pats by 11. Side note — two of the games best kickers, look for a couple bombs.
2. Cardinals at Panthers, Sunday 1/24 6:20PM (CAR -3)
   • This is the game of his career.  His = Carson or Cam. Both of these quarterbacks are looking to solidify their place in the top tier of the league (new spot opened up when Andrew Luck forgot how to play). Before last week I think the Cardinals would be a lock.  hey went to overtime with the Packers… Meanwhile in Carolina the Panthers went up 31 on the reining conference champions. Sure they let up on the gas after half but probably just a wake up call right? … right?  Still Cam wreaks of greatness. I don’t see any scenario where the Panthers go down by more than 10. The defense will keep them in the game and Super Cam will take care of the rest. However, Bruce Arians always seems to have something up his sleeve.

I said it before the playoffs and I’ll say it again: Coaches and quarterbacks win championships. Of course, there’s other factors and defense plays a big role. But go back and look at the last champions that lacked a star QB or a legendary coach. And here we are: Bruce and Carson at Ron and Cam, Bill and Tom at Gary and Peyton. If your looking for who to pick odds are your answer lies with the better combo.

Last week I went 3-1 (1-1). Thanks a lot Aaron.  Total record is 47-38, 9-5.  This week I got the favorites Pats -3, Panthers -3.  Best bet: Pats.  BTW last week all 8 teams would have covered on a teaser. Wouldn’t be surprised if the same is true for this week.