Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (-7.5)
Did you know that six of the past eight AFC title games have featured either the Patriots, Ravens, or both? Two franchises that epitomize excellence will face off again this weekend with a trip to the AFC title game on the line. Brady and Flacco will hash out their playoff rivalry yet again, as this is the fourth showdown between these two teams since 2009. Outside of a 1-2 record against the Ravens at Foxborough during the playoffs, the Patriots are 11-1 at home in the second season under the genius.
This game will come down to two factors: can New England stop Baltimore’s run game and force Flacco to beat its solid secondary? And will the dominant duo of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil be able to keep the pressure on Brady? This duo combined for 29 sacks during the regular season, and are primed for another peak performance on Saturday.
Prediction: Patriots 27 Ravens 24
Baltimore may be hot and plays New England tough in the playoffs, but the boys in blue have home-field advantage and an extra week to prepare. Expect heavy doses of the Brady-Gronk connection in a Patriots win. Flacco is one heck of a playoff quarterback, but he is up against one of the best to ever put on a helmet in January.
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks (-11)
While Cam Newton against Russell Wilson is a quarterback battle to drool over, this game will come down to defense. Weather will play a factor in this one as cool temperatures bred with mild precipitation will make for a defensive coordinator’s dream on the field Saturday Night in Washington. The Panthers will be hurt without the up and coming Star Lotulelei on the defensive line, and thus may be overcome by the beast that is Marshawn Lynch.
Prediction: Seahawks 24 Panthers 10
While Newton and the Panthers were able to pull off the win last week against Arizona, Superman and company will be simply outmatched on both sides of the ball when entering the house of the 12th man. Seattle is set on a repeat title run, and no cat will stand in the way of Seattle’s return to the NFC Championship game.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (-6.5)
It’s the road warriors against the defenders of Lambeau field, as Dallas enters this game undefeated on the road against a team without a loss on home soil. The Cowboys’ power-run offense will have to control the tempo if they hope to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers’ relentless passing attack, which is complemented by one of the best power-running backs in the game, Eddie Lacy. A gaggle of no-names have made Dallas’ defense the best in football this year regarding takeaways, which will put Rodgers’ shrewdness in taking care of the rock to the test. Rodgers has 227 touchdown passes in his career matched by just 57 interceptions. Dallas will need a little luck to get the ball out of this quarterback’s hands.
Prediction: Packers 31 Cowboys 27
Dallas can score with the best of them, but Rodgers and company are on a level all their own. While the Cowboys should dominate the tempo on the ground if Murray gets going behind their all-pro offensive line, Green Bay has been unbeatable on their own turf this year. Freezing temperatures at Lambeau will be no help to the team from Texas as the Packers march on to the NFC Championship game.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (-7)
Peyton Manning will face off with the quarterback that replaced him in Indianapolis for the first time in his extensive playoff career. Meanwhile, Andrew Luck will attempt to prove that it’s out with the old and in with the new. Yet the toughest task of the day for the Colts will be stopping Manning’s sidekick: C.J. Anderson. Indianapolis ranks 18th in rushing yards given up this season, which is music to the ears of one Peyton Manning. Denver’s balanced offense is the primary reason the team ranked second in total points this year. That should lead the Broncos to a win here.
Prediction: Broncos 34 Colts 31
In what many expect to be a high-scoring affair, Manning will prove his status as the premier offensive guru at the quarterback position and tear apart a defense that simple doesn’t have the personnel to matchup. Lady luck will be with Denver on Sunday at Mile High.