Conference Championship Weekend 2014: My Predictions

Give me a beer and a place to sit and I shall watch both NFL Conference Championship games.

-Archimedes

Get excited.  Conference Championship Weekend is upon us, and we have two incredible matchups headed our way.  Manning vs. Brady.  Seahawks vs. 49ers.  In one matchup, we have one of the all-time greatest quarterback rivalries.  In the other matchup, we have two of the brightest up and coming quarterbacks in the league, two players who are ushering in a new era of the mobile quarterback in the NFL.  This is by far the most talented “Final Four” in recent NFL playoff memory, and I am very excited for this upcoming Sunday of football.  Check out my predictions for this Sunday’s matchups. 

New England Patriots (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (13-3)

Sunday, 3:00 ET (Current Line, Denver -5.5)

In what has the potential to be the final playoff meeting between two of the most prolific passers in NFL history, the Patriots take on the Broncos in Denver.  Earlier this season, the Patriots defeated the Broncos in Foxborough, 34-31 in overtime, after trailing 24-0.  However, the playoffs are a totally different environment, and this time, the teams meet at Sports Authority Field.  I could go on and on about the matchup between Brady and Manning.  One quarterback has incredible weapons at receiver, the other has Julian Edelman.  One quarterback has possibly the greatest NFL coach of all time, the other has John Fox.  One team has one of the top defensive backs in the NFL, while the other team has Chris Harris with a torn ACL.  However, when it comes down to it, we have Brady vs. Manning.  So appreciate it while it’s here.  These quarterbacks are two of the all-time greats. 

Prediction: The Patriots have the ball, down by 7 with less than 2 minutes left in the 4^th quarter.  Brady is driving and has the ball at midfield, 4^th down & 3.  Brady throws deep for Thompkins, who is taken down by Rodgers-Cromartie on what appears to be an obvious pass interference.  No flag is thrown; the Broncos prevail, 31-24 and will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.    

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

Sunday, 6:30 ET (Current Line, Seahawks -3.5)

I think at this point we can all agree that these are two of the most obnoxious fan bases in the NFL.  To Seahawks fans: You have a great homefield advantage; however, you weren’t even one of the three teams in the NFL to finish undefeated at home this year.  Get over yourselves.  To 49ers fans: The Seahawks are not a bunch of cheaters.  They play under the same rules as all other teams.  Please stop whining about non-calls in the secondary. 

Now, let’s look at the matchup.  We have two similar quarterbacks with some stark differences.  One is small and weak; the other is big and strong.  One plays with his eyes open; the other does not.  One has a running back who is big and strong and likes to knock defenders over; the other has a running back who is big and strong and likes to knock defenders over.  These are two incredibly physical teams, and they always seem to play each other tough.  Seattle blew the Niners out early in the regular season at Century Link Field, 29-3.  Meanwhile, the Niners barely squeaked out a victory at Candlestick in a more recent Week 14 matchup, 19-17.  The third and final matchup between these two teams should be great.  I would argue that the Niners are the slightly better team at the moment; however, the Seahawks have homefield advantage.  In what should be a defensive battle, one big play could decide this contest. 

Prediction: Down 23-20, late in the 4^th quarter, the Niners are driving down the field.  Kaepernick throws an awful interception to Richard Sherman; however, it is called back because of an offsides penalty.  Kaepernick then leads the Niners down the field and sets up Dawson for a 36 yard field goal.  Dawson hits the field goal and sends the game into overtime.  Dawson then sends the Niners to the Super Bowl with a 41 yard field goal in OT.  Niners win, 26-23 and will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. 

Broncos vs. 49ers in The Meadowlands.  That would be a great Super Bowl matchup.  However, in truth, any of the potential Super Bowl matchups would make for a great game.  Manning will try to silence the naysayers with a second Lombardi Trophy.  Brady will look to add another Championship to his impressive list of Super Bowl wins.  The Seahawks will attempt to prove what they have been saying all year long: that they are the best team in the NFL.  And the Niners will go for Super Bowl trophy number six, which would tie the Steelers for the most all-time of any franchise.  Every team has got plenty to play for, and every player wants to put their hands on the Lombardi Trophy.  One more great weekend of football is headed our way!