2013 Championship Picks

Alright, here we are. Championship weekend, two weeks away from the Super Bowl. It's all on the line here, and I'm sure the NFL is excited about the two match ups. Plenty of drama.

First, we've got the ever present Brady vs. Manning.

(2) Patriots vs. (1) Broncos
Pick: Broncos

The Broncos simply cannot afford a collapse like last year and will be doing everything they can to prevent that. They should have beaten the Patriots in the regular season. Peyton Manning is getting old and he realizes he only has a few more shots at winning another one.

Then, to the grudge on the West Coast.

(5) 49ers vs. (1) Seahawks
Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks play with a chip on their shoulder and they're playing at home. What more can you say? The 49ers have squeaked by in the playoffs and will be unable to keep up with Seattle.

The last time two number one seeds met in a Super Bowl was 2009, when the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts played. And naturally who was the QB for the Colts? Peyton Manning of course. 

2012 Conference Championship Picks

It's that time of the year again -- the time when though there are only two games, they matter more than anything else so far. Isn't that the story of the playoffs?

NFC -- 3:00 PM

(3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (1) Atlanta Falcons 

Falcons by 3

Pick: 49ers    Spread Pick: 49ers

Reasons: This game baffles me. Neither team really sticks out to me because both have been inconsistent  The 49ers lost to the Seahawks (big) but beat the Packers? The Falcons should have lost last week and have really been skating by all season. But the bottom line is that they didn't lose. Should doesn't count. But I'm concerned because of how well Russell Wilson did aganist the Atlanta defense. Kaep is better than him (perhaps...). Atlanta better have a solution. However, I don't think they do. My gut tells me to pick the 49ers, but I also believe it could go either way. I haven't believed in the Falcons all year -- why start now?

AFC -- 6:30 PM

(4) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) New England Patriots

Patriots by 9.5

Pick: Ravens   Spread Pick: Ravens

Reasons: Does the phrase 'Team of Destiny' mean anything to you? It should. Teams such as the Giants (both recent years) and the Packers are notable for their own improbable 'team of destiny' runs through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. Here's the deal -- the Ravens beat the Patriots in week 3, in an emotional win and with a great field goal. They should have won this game last year (and yes, it is exactly the same game as last year, for those of you who don't remember). It'll be an amazing game, but after last week can anything stand in the way of the Ravens? I don't think so.

Conference Championships

Here we are, basically two weeks away from the Super Bowl. Now, let me begin by saying I'm proud to report that both of my Super Bowl picks are still in the game. That's better than last year, when they both got knocked out in the second round. I think both championships this year will be good, close games, but here's who will come out on top and why. 

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
In my bracket, I have the Ravens in the Super Bowl. So I can't exactly back down now. I've said all along that I'm not scared of New England. Baltimore has won playoff games on the road there before. They key for the Ravens in this game is simply to run the ball. It will take clock away, keeping Brady and company off the field, and exploit one of the Patriots' major weaknesses -- one of the worst run defenses in the league. Also, Joe Flacco has to play well. He's been under heavy fire, from both inside the locker room and out, being called the weak link on a team that has a star running back and defense. If you're going to believe in the Ravens, you must believe in Joe Flacco. And Cam Cameron's ability to call runs - lots of them. Ray Rice can make up the difference if Flacco struggles. Yes, Tom Brady is formidable. But the defense isn't. And they say defense wins championships. It'll be a good game, regardless of who wins. But I think it's the Ravens' game to lose.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers
This is an interesting game, one no one would have predicted at the beginning of the season, featuring another one of my Super Bowl bracket picks -- the Giants. San Francisco is a great story. Rookie Coach, redeemed first round quarterback. But right now I believe that's where the story rends. Alex Smith is not Eli Manning. When both defense are as stellar as these two, then to get the result of the game, one must look at the respective offenses. Yes, the 49ers have Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. But the Giants have Bradshaw, Jacobs, Cruz and Eli. For all the Eli haters out there, you must admit that he has at least gotten it together at the end of the season and in the playoffs. I'm not saying that the Giants are going to blow them out -- but I do believe they will win with a combination of hot offense and stingy defense.


Conclusion? 
Super Bowl XLVI will be Ravens v. Giants, a rematch of Super Bowl XXXV.