I started off the Playoffs hot with a 4-2 record picking the Wild Card round. That…did not carry over into the Divisional weekend where I stumbled to a 1-3 record making my picks. Let’s try to bounce back
in the Conference Championship Games.
AFC Championship Game
2. New England Patriots (16-3) at 1. Denver Broncos (15-3); 3:00 pm; CBS
The Broncos reached this round with a victory over the Buffalo Bills last weekend in an overtime classic. The win did come with a cost as quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending broken ankle. Into the lineup comes Jarrett Stidham for his first start of the season. It comes with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Anything truly could happen in this game. The good news for the Broncos is that they are far less dependent on quarterback play than your typical contender. Their defense is the dominant unit. It also doesn’t seem completely crazy to think that Sean Payton could figure out how to scheme up one productive game for Stidham.
Still, it’s tough to bank on a quarterback who hasn’t even attempted a regular season in over two years to step into a pressure cooker like this and help deliver a victory. It isn’t easy going into a regular season game as the backup quarterback off a long layoff.
I want the Broncos to win, but I’m picking the Patriots
My Pick: New England Patriots
NFC Championship Game
5. Los Angeles Rams (14-5) at 1. Seattle Seahawks (15-3); 6:30 pm Eastern, FOX
In my opinion, these are the two best teams in the NFL. This game is a true tossup. The last time these teams met on this field last month the Seahawks won an overtime thriller on a two point conversion that helped them earn the one seed.
I love this Seattle team’s balance. I think their homefield advantage is one of the most dramatic in the NFL in big games.
Maybe it is the Jets fan in me, but despite all of this I can’t shake the fear of Sam Darnold falling back to earth in this game. I trust Matthew Stafford more.
Like the AFC game, I’m rooting for one team but picking the other.
My Pick: Los Angeles Rams
