NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(13-4) @ DENVER BRONCOS(14-3)
This is the game that everyone wanted to see. The Pats and the Broncos are the two best teams in the AFC and the rivalry between TOM BRADY and PEYTON MANNING is the best in maybe the history of the game. Brady comes into this game owning the series between him and Manning including a 34-31 overtime victory earlier this season in Foxborough. In that game it looked as if the Patriots were going to be blown out in front of their home crowd. Denver led big at halftime only for Brady to put together a miraculous comeback, free OT and win the game. The Patriots continued to play strong in last weeks dismantling of The Colts. They ran the ball with such ease and Tom Brady barely had to throw at all. It was the first time that I can remember that the Patriots scored more than 40 points and Brady didn't have a single TD. It's scary for the Broncos. Legarret Blount had four rushing tds and 166 yards. Steven Ridley had two scores as well. The Broncos run defense isn't anything spectacular so I expect more of the same game plan from the Pats. If the Broncos want to win they will have to be able to stop the run. Meanwhile the Patriots defense gave up over 2100 rushing yards on the season for an average of 4.5 yards a carry. If Denver uses a similar run first game plan they could have monster success with Knowshon Moreno. Both teams have given up similar numbers in the passing game so I expect the game to be very high scoring. The Broncos have the edge with Manning and all the weapons he has. Plus the home field advantage. The Patriots defense has allowed fewer points than the Broncos (338 to 399) but Denver has scored more then 150 more points than New England. Denver won't be stopped as they beat Brady and Manning gets redemption.
My final, Den 38-30
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(14-4) @SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(14-3)
In a game that features two dominant defenses you have to pay close attention to every little variable. The home field advantage is what you should take into consideration first. The Niners have been outscored 79 -11 the last two games in Seattle. But neither of those games were playoff games and didn't have a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Niners have been here before. The last two seasons they were in the NFC championship game. Harbaugh and company know what's at stake and they know how to reach their goal. The Seahawks are in the Championship game for the first time since 2005. Experience usually wins with such evenly matched teams. And the Niners are more experienced in the playoffs. However, this is a Seahawks team that has lots of confidence. The stage is never too big it seems. Russle Wilson has played well in his first three playoff games. He has a record of 2-1. Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch played last weeks game like a man possessed. With Percy Harvin leaving last week with a concussion it hurt the Seahawks offense and somebody needed to step up. Lynch filled the void. If Harvin can't play this week Lynch will need to have the same kind of performance for the Seahawks to win. Opposite Lynch is Frank Gore who has always stepped up when it matters. I'd like to see more of both these QBs in the run game. Both have tremendous speed and playmaking ability. It was impressive to me that SF put up 23 points against the Panthers. The Panthers defense only allowed +20 in three games this season. Also, the Seahawks impressed by holding the Saints power offense to just 15 points. And SF offense is no where close to the Saints. How can the Niners win if they can't score? The Seahawks will grind out the win.
My final, SEA 20-13
This is the game that everyone wanted to see. The Pats and the Broncos are the two best teams in the AFC and the rivalry between TOM BRADY and PEYTON MANNING is the best in maybe the history of the game. Brady comes into this game owning the series between him and Manning including a 34-31 overtime victory earlier this season in Foxborough. In that game it looked as if the Patriots were going to be blown out in front of their home crowd. Denver led big at halftime only for Brady to put together a miraculous comeback, free OT and win the game. The Patriots continued to play strong in last weeks dismantling of The Colts. They ran the ball with such ease and Tom Brady barely had to throw at all. It was the first time that I can remember that the Patriots scored more than 40 points and Brady didn't have a single TD. It's scary for the Broncos. Legarret Blount had four rushing tds and 166 yards. Steven Ridley had two scores as well. The Broncos run defense isn't anything spectacular so I expect more of the same game plan from the Pats. If the Broncos want to win they will have to be able to stop the run. Meanwhile the Patriots defense gave up over 2100 rushing yards on the season for an average of 4.5 yards a carry. If Denver uses a similar run first game plan they could have monster success with Knowshon Moreno. Both teams have given up similar numbers in the passing game so I expect the game to be very high scoring. The Broncos have the edge with Manning and all the weapons he has. Plus the home field advantage. The Patriots defense has allowed fewer points than the Broncos (338 to 399) but Denver has scored more then 150 more points than New England. Denver won't be stopped as they beat Brady and Manning gets redemption.
My final, Den 38-30
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(14-4) @SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(14-3)
In a game that features two dominant defenses you have to pay close attention to every little variable. The home field advantage is what you should take into consideration first. The Niners have been outscored 79 -11 the last two games in Seattle. But neither of those games were playoff games and didn't have a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Niners have been here before. The last two seasons they were in the NFC championship game. Harbaugh and company know what's at stake and they know how to reach their goal. The Seahawks are in the Championship game for the first time since 2005. Experience usually wins with such evenly matched teams. And the Niners are more experienced in the playoffs. However, this is a Seahawks team that has lots of confidence. The stage is never too big it seems. Russle Wilson has played well in his first three playoff games. He has a record of 2-1. Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch played last weeks game like a man possessed. With Percy Harvin leaving last week with a concussion it hurt the Seahawks offense and somebody needed to step up. Lynch filled the void. If Harvin can't play this week Lynch will need to have the same kind of performance for the Seahawks to win. Opposite Lynch is Frank Gore who has always stepped up when it matters. I'd like to see more of both these QBs in the run game. Both have tremendous speed and playmaking ability. It was impressive to me that SF put up 23 points against the Panthers. The Panthers defense only allowed +20 in three games this season. Also, the Seahawks impressed by holding the Saints power offense to just 15 points. And SF offense is no where close to the Saints. How can the Niners win if they can't score? The Seahawks will grind out the win.
My final, SEA 20-13
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