NFL Conference Championship Weekend Predictions

Patriots vs. Broncos (-5)

Broncos 30-23 (Broncos cover spread)

The legendary quarterback matchup we’ve been waiting for all season is finally here. QB Tom Brady has to be commended for leading this depleted roster to an AFC Championship game, and will do whatever he can to get them to their sixth Super Bowl in the new millennium. Even though QB Peyton Manning has won a Super Bowl, make no mistake that this is the biggest game of his career. He can put to rest discussions of his ‘subpar’ playoff resume by capturing a second Super Bowl title. The Broncos, with home-field advantage, have the better overall team and will find a way to limit RB LaGerrate Blount and the Pats west-coast offense enough to give Manning the opportunity to win the game with his arm. Neither defense is very impressive, but the raucous crowd at Mile High will play a huge factor in the outcome of the game. This will come down to which superstar quarterback can come up big late in the game, and I’m going with Peyton to silence some of his critics and get the job done against his arch-rival.

49ers vs. Seahawks (-3.5)

Seahawks 21-17 (Seahawks cover spread)

This is a tough one to pick despite Seattle only dropping one home game since QB Russell Wilson took over the reins at the start of the 2012 season. If any team is built to go into the toughest stadium to play in and come out with a win against the best defense in football, it is the San Francisco 49ers. They are a very similar team to the Seahawks, and possess an equally as devastating running back-quarterback-defense combination. It’s hard to imagine this one being anything other than a knock-down, drag-it-out slugfest. This budding rivalry is becoming the best one there is the NFL, and this most important encounter will not disappoint. The difference in the game will be which running game can get off the blocks and create sustained drives, while keeping the opposing offense on the sidelines. Both teams don’t make many mistakes and are very disciplined groups, so don’t expect a turnover to decide this one. The game will be won in the trenches, and I’m going with Seattle to earn their way into their first Super Bowl under Head Coach Pete Carroll.