NFL - Championship Game Predictions

Ringer's Playoff Record
Last Week ATS: 2-2
Last Week SU: 4-0

Playoffs ATS: 4-4
Playoffs SU: 7-1

The AFC Championship game brings in some familiar faces. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady face off for the third time with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Of course, Peyton was in Indianapolis for the previous two meetings where each man won one. This time Peyton leads the Denver Broncos against Brady and Belichick. This is the game we all wanted to see. Not only because we get Manning vs. Brady again, but because Denver and New England were unquestionably the two best teams in the AFC all season. They played an epic game against one another back in Week 12. Denver stormed out to a 24-0 lead, only to see Brady and the Patriots come back to force OT at 31 apiece. New England would complete the comeback by kicking a game-winning FG to win 34-31. That game was in New England, and this one is in Denver which could make a big difference. At the end of the day, I don't expect anything but greatness from either of these two QBs. The Broncos were my pick to win it all before the season began, and I won't waiver from that.

Denver over New England 28-23
Den -4.5

The NFC Championship game also gave us the matchup that most people wanted to see. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will square off in the most meaningful game ever for this budding rivalry. Ever since Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh jumped to the NFL their hatred has been restored. Combine the personal disdain amongst their head coaches with the facts that Seattle and San Francisco have been two of the league's best teams, they play in the same division, have nasty defenses, and two of the brightest young stars at QB. It is easy to see why this rivalry is becoming one of the league's most heated. The two teams split their games this year, each winning at home. This game is in Seattle, and the Seahawks have completely dismantled the 49ers the last two times they've visited the Pacific Northwest. The score of those two games combined, Seattle 71 San Francisco 16. This one should be more competitive. The 49ers are playing in this game for the third straight year, so they know what it takes to advance. I just don't see them overcoming their deficiencies in Seattle enough to pull off the win.

Seattle over San Francisco 20-16
Sea -3.5