New Orleans (-3.5) at San Francisco
This game features the league's most potent offense versus one of the best defenses. Both teams finished the year at 13-3 and have plenty of reason to believe they can play for the Lombardi Trophy. Each team has been amongst the NFL's elite teams all season. The Saints have been a sexy pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but San Francisco played well enough to earn the 2 seed and make sure the Saints would have to come through Candlestick Park. The Saints enter this game on a high, as they scored a TD on 5 straight possessions to start the 2nd Half in a Wild Card victory over Detroit last week 45-28. Jim Harbaugh will have his 49ers team ready to make this into a grinder though. Harbaugh will probably be named Coach of the Year in his 1st NFL season on the sideline, and a trip to the NFC Championship Game and potentially further would make this season even more special. The team that dictates the flow of this game will be moving on. New Orleans wants to score early and often, while San Francisco wants control the ball on the ground and force some turnovers. I like the 49ers defense, but I like Drew Brees and the Saints offense more.
Prediction - New Orleans 28 San Francisco 24
Saturday, 8
Denver (+13.5) at New England
If you have turned on your TV at all this week, you undoubtedly heard something about Tim Tebow. Tebow lead Denver to a thrilling 29-23 OT victory over the defending AFC Champion, Pittsburgh Steelers last week. He proved once again that he is capable of winning games in the NFL, and this time he did it through the air. Tebow threw for 316 yards that included the 80-yard game-winner to Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos went from a 1-4 start to just 1 win away from the AFC Championship. They will travel to Foxborough this week, where the Patriots have only lost 2 games in the last 2 seasons (NY Jets in last year's Divisional Playoffs and NY Giants in Week 9). New England looks primed for another Super Bowl run. They haven't been to the Super Bowl since 2007, but Tom Brady is playing like a QB that has 3 rings. Brady is a living legend, and Tebow could be on his way to becoming one if Denver pulls off another upset. I look for Brady and the Pats to put an end to Tebow Mania this week. Gillette Stadium will be hosting the AFC Championship for the 1st time in 4 years.
Prediction - New England 41 Denver 25
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