Who Guessed It? ... Everyone! Conference Championship weekend. What a season it has been - we came a long way to determine what many of us had already expected prior to Week 1. Not many surprises when you look at the teams remaining in this years playoffs. If, at the beginning of the NFL season you were asked which teams would be playing for the AFC and NFC conference championship games a lot of you may have predicted this exactly! Seattle and San Fran were the clear favourites in the NFC prior to the season, while Denver certainly was expected to be the class of the AFC. And who did most pick to play against Denver in the AFC championship game - unless you picked the Texans you likely had the Patriots. So congrats! To you and to the NFL - you did it!
Now it's the moment we have all been waiting for Brady & Manning Part 2. This episode has even more on the line than the first contest. For the winner; a trip to the Superbowl and a lock for the Hall of Fame. The NFL's poster boys get to square off for all the marbles while Roger Goodell is grinning ear to ear. Meanwhile on the other side we have quite the contrast in QB play. Seattle and San Fran have moved away from the traditional pocket passers and each have dual-threat signal callers leading their teams backed by stellar defenses. No matter what happens in the conference championships we will still be treated to a Superbowl with very distinct styles of play. The Future vs The Past. New School vs. Old School. However you want to break it down we will be in for a fine Superbowl.
Canton Bound: Manning and Belichick rivalry will go down in history as one of the best. PATRIOTS @ BRONCOS - Sunday 3:30pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Wes Welker & Julian Edelman: Which slot reciever will have the biggest impact?
- LeGarrette Blount : 4 TDS last week - likely will score one or two today.
- Aqib Talib: Denver has so many targets at their disposal - he needs to take at least one away.
- Those Quarterback Guys: I think they go by Tom and Peyton or something.
WHO WE LIKE:
- Patriots Run Game: Blount & Vereen will get a lot of touches in attempt to keep Manning off the field.
- The 2 Thomas': Orange Julius and Demaryius will cause fits for NE's secondary$
- Bill Belichick: The greatest coach of this era has another opportunity to add to his legacy.
WHO WE DON'T:
- Tom Brady: Zero. The amount of TD's Tom Terrific threw last week - he misses the Gronk.
- Denver Defense: Losing their top CB doesn't help an already average defense.
- Patriots WR's: Outside of Edelman can Brady really count on these guys?
- Wes Welker: NE let him go for a reason - the hits are taking their toll, they will be ready for him.
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Denver Broncos Win! This season has been all about Peyton Manning and it is going to continue to be that way in the AFC Championship. Denver has too many weapons for the Patriots to match up with - unless the Patriots win the turnover battle and catch a few lucky breaks on special teams they will likely fall to the Broncos. The good news for Patriots fans is that new found playoff star LeGarrette Blount is on your side facing the Broncos medicore defense. Look for the crafty Belichick to keep this game relatively close but for the Broncos to pull away in the second half as Manning leads Denver to scores on nearly every possession.
The New Age: One of these exciting young QB's will be playing in the Super Bowl 49ERS @ SEAHAWKS - Sunday 6:30pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- The QB's: Kaepernick has been on fire lately - and Russell Wilson has been good but not great..
- Percy Harvin: Talk about bad luck - will he play today? Seattle could certainly use him.
- Gore vs. Lynch: Very similar RB's both equally as important to their teams success.
- Pete Carroll vs Jim Harbaugh: Clash of coaching styles! Tough guy Harbaugh & laid back Carroll.
WHO WE LIKE:
- 49ers Experience: Having been in this spot the past two seasons 49ers get the edge.
- Seattles Home Field: We all remember what happened last time the 49ers strolled into Seattle.
- Colin Kaepernick: He has been on a roll lately and with Harbaugh at his side - he will continue
WHO WE DON'T:
- Pete Carroll: This is it - he must win this game to be considered a top coach. Can't lose at home.
- Seattles WR's: Without Harvin who is going to make the big catch? Golden Tate...?
- Frank Gore: Seattle should be focused on shutting him down early - making it a long day for Gore.
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The San Francisco 49ers Win! The Seahawks finally drop one to the 49ers at home. In a tough down to the wire game Kaepernick, Vernon, Boldin, and Crabtree, will make the key plays down the stretch to secure a second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl for the 49ers. It sees like the 49ers have gotten better over the past 4 weeks while the Seahawks have remained the same. It will not be an easy task taking a win from the 'Hawks in their crazy home stadium but Jim Harbaugh will have his team in position to win when it comes down to it. Seahawks lack of threats outside of Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson on offense will cost them a trip to the Superbowl while Jim Harbaugh takes back to back NFC Championships and gets another shot at the Superbowl.
