NFL Conference Championship Predictions

Conference Championship Predictions

Here we are, just four teams remaining to compete for a Super Bowl championship. Last week’s games really made up for a dismal opening round, especially the double overtime thriller in Denver, and the double comeback/choke job that happened in Atlanta. After nearly five months of competing, each remaining team is two wins away from being crowned champions. The two games are very different but both are intriguing. On the NFC side, the 49ers have been propelled to another level by the emergence of Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, something that I refused to believe until I saw it happen. An NFL record for QB rushing yards in any game ever pretty much sealed the deal. The Falcons are such a wild card, because they came into last week known as chokers, and tried their very best to keep that reputation intact until Matts Ryan and Bryant wiped that away. As for the AFC, this game between Baltimore and New England will be a rematch of last year’s conference title game in which the Patriots barely escaped with a victory. These two teams are very familiar with each other, and I think it will be a bloodbath. I have to give myself a little praise and criticism here: although I botched the NFC side of my predictions, my preseason AFC Championship Game was, in fact, Baltimore at New England, so I nailed that one exactly. When the playoffs began, however, I did not think that Baltimore would find themselves in this position right now; that was a heck of a performance they put on against Peyton Manning in the Mile High last Saturday, and no matter what happens this week, they should get a ton of credit for pulling off that win. Now I will unveil who I think will become AFC and NFC Champions, and who will battle for Super Bowl XLVII.

SF vs ATL (+4.5) - How about an incredible home team getting four and a half points in a conference championship game against a quarterback with eight career starts? One thing is certain: this 49ers team is really good. Their defense is electric, and this offense has played at a different level since Kaep took over. The Falcons are the exact opposite; they looked phenomenal in the first half against the Seahawks, but in the second half blew a 20-point lead late in the game before finally sealing the deal. If they played like the first half team, then they have a very good chance of winning. However, here’s the important question: if the Seahawks dominated for two quarters last week with a team set up the same way as San Francisco’s, what’s stopping the 49ers from using that same game plan for four full quarters? I don’t really have a good answer. Matt Ryan would have to have the game of his life, but that’s a reach against the vaunted D of San Fran. I just don’t know how I can trust the Falcons after that collapse last week. I still don’t like Kaepernick, but he’s been proving me wrong all season long. If the Falcons can find a way to pull this out, then good for them. But I have to go with the 49ers to win by about a touchdown. San Francisco 27, Atlanta 20.

BAL vs NE (-7.5) - I am so ready for this game. I love Baltimore; I hate the Patriots more than any other sports franchise on the planet, even more than the Red Sox. These teams have played multiple times the past few years, including two playoff matchups: after the 2009 season, when the Ravens went up to New England and smacked them in the mouth, and last year in the famous AFC Championship Game when the Ravens dropped the winning TD and shanked the tying field goal. These two teams also played already this season, with Baltimore winning 31-30. The Ravens have had recent success against the Pats and know that they can win this game; they want blood and revenge for that AFC Championship Game loss from last year and feel like they have gotten a second chance to take care of unfinished business; they want to win for Ray Lewis who is going to retire after the season, and don’t want his final game to be a loss; they have a bolstered receiving core and a kicker who, even though he is a rookie, has shown that he can make clutch kicks; finally, they have Bernard Karmell Pollard. For those of you who are unfamiliar, here is the curse of Bernard Karmell Pollard, the Patriot Assassin: 2008 Game 1, as a member of the Chiefs, tears Tom Brady’s ACL in the first quarter of the opening game, ending the Patriots’ chance for an F U season; 2009 Week 17, as a member of the Texans, tears Wes Welker’s ACL in a game where Belichick decided to play his starters; 2012 AFC Championship Game, as a member of the Ravens, hurts Gronkowski’s ankle and virtually takes him out of play for the Super Bowl, which New England lost. This man is a Patriot Killer. And I love him. I can’t wait for him to strike again. Bernard Karmell Pollard will win this game, or take someone down with him. All of these reasons favor the Ravens. They are a team of destiny this season. The main flaw to watch out for is that their defense has to be exhausted after the last couple of weeks, and they will be facing a brutally up-tempo Patriot offense. But I have faith. This was my preseason pick for the AFC Championship Game. And the Baltimore Ravens were my preseason pick to win this game and win the Super Bowl. So my prediction will be the same as it was back in early September. These are the birds you want to bet on this week. Baltimore 27, New England 26.

I’m predicting an All-Harbaugh Championship. But really, only one thing matters: Anybody but the Patriots. See you at the Super Bowl.