It is rare that all four top seeds make it past the Divisional Round unscathed. In fact, the top two teams have not all advanced to the Conference Championship Game since 2004. In this single elimination tournament that we call the NFL playoffs, anything can happen in any given week. Lucky for us, we will be treated to one matchup that features the two teams that posted the best records in the NFL this season, and another matchup that features two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
New England Patriots (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (12-4)
Sunday, 3:05 PM ET (Current Line, Patriots -3.5)
Will this be the final time that these two quarterbacks square off? To me, it would be very surprising if Manning were to play another NFL season. It is hard to imagine that his body can handle another 16 regular season games. As for Brady, he has continued to play at the top of his game, and it seems as though he may be able to play competitively into his 40s. However, we could have assumed the same thing for Manning two years ago, when he was still at the pinnacle of his game, a mere year removed from an MVP season. The battering that Manning has taken over the years has finally caught up with him. Now, he rests on the crutch of the best defense in the NFL. Manning is still the same competitive maestro of the offense that he has always been. However, the physical ability that used to go along with it, is all but gone. If it weren’t for his incredible football IQ, Manning’s career would have been over long ago.
Fortunately, for about half the game, Manning won’t be on the field, and we will be treated to the elite of the NFL. We will watch the great New England offense take on the stout Denver defense. The Patriots looked like themselves again last weekend, as Brady was able to distribute the ball to his two favorite targets, Edelman and Gronkowski with ease. If Brady keeps rolling like he did last game, the Denver defense might not be good enough to stop him. Denver’s chances don’t look great, but at least they will have homefield advantage. With the help of the crowd, the Broncos were able to defeat the Patriots back in Week 12, 30-24 in overtime. Of course, that was with Osweiller behind center. It will be Manning’s turn to try to repeat the feat on Sunday. Maybe Manning will be able to rise to the occasion, as the competitiveness of the Conference Championship Game overtakes him. Or, maybe we will be watching Manning’s final act, as he limps gingerly into retirement.
Prediction: The Patriots offense sputters in the first half, as Manning is able to do just enough to take a slim lead into halftime. A pick six by Aqib Talib gives the Broncos a double-digit lead, early in the fourth quarter. However, New England makes the comeback and ties the game at 23 with only a few minutes left. On the final drive of the game, Manning does not throw one pass, as the running game is effective enough to set the Broncos up in field goal range. McManus hits the 43-yard field goal as time expires, and the Broncos win 26-23.
Arizona Cardinals (13-3) @ Carolina Panthers (15-1)
Sunday, 6:40 PM ET (Current Line, Panthers -3.0)
Somehow this game has turned into the undercard matchup. The Cardinals and Panthers posted the two best records in the NFL this season, and many will argue that they are the two best teams in the leagu. Still, they will be playing second fiddle to Manning vs. Brady XVII. Either way, this matchup should be good, as both teams possess very few weaknesses, being more than capable on both sides of the ball.
Arizona was not convincing against the Packers last weekend. Palmer was especially unconvincing, as he made some costly mistakes late in the game, which could have very easily resulted in the Packers making a trip to Charlotte, rather than the Cardinals. The defense was also not playing at its best, as the loss of Mathieu has clearly affected the quality of the secondary. Still, Arizona were the favorites to win the Super Bowl going into the playoffs, and they were chosen as the favorites for a reason. This team is very good and could step back into high gear at any moment. Of course, if they play the way they played against Green Bay last weekend, I don’t think they’ll have a chance to demonstrate their abilities in the Super Bowl.
Carolina looked like far and away the best team in football for 30 minutes last weekend. Of course, it was the second 30 minutes of the game, when they were outscored 24-0, that were concerning. Still, whenever you can make a good team like the Seahawks look that foolish for a half, you are doing something right. Newton is playing the best football of his career right now, and he is doing it the only way he knows how - by having fun (which many people seem to hate for some reason). The offense and the defense are coming together at just the right time for the Panthers. This great Carolina defense has allowed Newton to play in comfortable situations all season. It would be interesting to see how he would react if the Panthers were to go down by a couple scores in this Sunday’s game. Would we still see the happy, relaxed Newton? Or would the seriousness of the situation take over? We may never find out, as Carolina has looked nearly unbeatable this season. The Cardinals are going to have to play a nearly flawless game if they hope to have a chance of beating the Panthers.
Prediction: This game is all Carolina as Cam Newton absolutely dominates. Once again, the Panthers appear to have this game locked up after two quarters, as they head into halftime with a 21 point lead. The Cardinals show some life in the second half, but it is to no avail, as the Panthers punch their ticket to Santa Clara, winning 37-24.
Looks like we are in store for two great games this weekend. When all’s said and done, two teams will be preparing for a trip to Santa Clara, and two will be going home, wondering what might have been. Let's just hope the football is entertaining.
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