AFC Championship:
San Diego Chargers (12-5) vs.
New England Patriots (17-0)
For the Chargers to win this game, 2 things are going to have to happen. First, and most importantly, they are going to have to put pressure on Tom Brady. If Brady is comfortable in the pocket like he was against Jacksonville, his defense and play terribly and their running game be pretty much non-existant, and they still win. Tom Brady, against Jacksonville, threw the ball 26 times, and it was caught 24 times. That is amazing. But it has been proven in times past that if you can really make Tom Brady hurry (or any QB for that matter) then they will not be that consistent.
Secondly, the Chargers HAVE to establish the running game with LT. Phillip Rivers (their QB) is really talented, and is really growing up to be one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, but he is not there yet, and the New England secondary is pretty much amazing. Tomilson will have to rush for over 120 yards for Chargers to win. And that is not easy to do against the Patriots. But if the Chargers can do that, then that will really allow Rivers to make easier throws and take the game off his shoulders. He should not have to carry the team, and if he does on Sunday, they will lose.
Other Factors: Weather. I think that, since the game is in New England, and since the Chargers are from one of the warmest places in the NFL, that if there is snow, its going to be hard for the Chargers to cope with. I know from personal experience that playing in weather that you are not used to really puts you at a disadvantage. And playing football in the cold is really tough. We will see.
Prediction: New England Patriots by 14.
If Upset Occurs: San Diego Chargers by 3.
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NFC Championship Game:
New York Giants (13-6) vs.
Green Bay Packers (14-3)
Now this game is a lot less lopsided then the AFC game. Both teams have talented quarterbacks, more then one star at running back, and steady defenses. Weather won't make a difference in this game, since both teams are from up north. The Giants started as the Wildcard team and have knocked off the #3 and #1 team in the NFC, all in their stadiums. This is a game of two quarterbacks that are not acting their age. Eli in this 3rd (I think) NFL season and Bret in his 13th or 14th...one QB in his mid twenties and the other in his early forties. Eli Manning, the Giants quarterback, who had a really rough start to this season, has matured and improved significantly during the last half of the season and the playoffs. He has really come into his element. But he is not as good as Bret Favre. Bret has lost almost none of his touch or power, even though he is grey-haired and 40+. And he has a better head for the game, that comes, only with experience.
But inspite of it seeming to be a showdown between two talented QBs, the make-or-break factor is not how they perform in this game. Last week when Green Bay beat the Seahawks 42-20, the knockout punch game from Green Bays running game. Jackson (I think that is his name), #25, had over 200 rushing yards against the Seahawks, and that is very impressive. Not only does that wear a defense down, it discourages them. And it really takes the pressure off of Bret Favre, who is only human. New York MUST not allow Green Bay to run over them like that. In fact, if Green Bay rushes for over 100 yards, I don't think that New York will win. They must TOTALLY stop the run, and make Bret Favre throw the ball. Bret doesn't like to throw the ball in the cold. Look at the Green Bay/Chicago game earlier in the season: when Chicago totally stuffed the Green Bay running game, Bret Favre had to throw. And that only produced 7 points. If the Packers don't have a balanced game, then they can crumble.
Offensively for New York, they need to protect Eli Manning from beginning to end. Getting sacked is one of the most discouraging things for a young quarterback, and putting pressure on a young guy like Eli will make him make mistakes: lots of mistakes.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers by 7.
If Upset Occurs: New York Giants by 7.
Either ways, its going to be a GREAT game. And if one of you actually read all of that, you are so becoming my hero for the rest of my life.
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3 comments:
I didn't read the whole thing. And then I read the last sentence and just did read every word. ;-) (To be honest, it was boring.) One thing: I know who LT is and I even know his whole name; WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP. THAT alone should make you proud of me. ;-)
And, I don't really care who might win; who do you want to win?
I think I'm going to keel over...
You have posted AGAIN - and it hasn't even been a week! ;-)
And I did read the whole thing, lol, I also have heard more football talk this week than I ever WANT to hear (my Nino gave us *his* predictions last night at dinner...) *grins*
(Shan, go for the Chargers.)
Shan: That truly is impressive, and I really am proud of you for it. Totally awesome.
Well, anything I posted would see boring after reading all those jokes Juliet was cracking on me. That was amazing.
My #1 team I want to win is the Chargers, and then the Packers, since it will probably be a Packers/Patriots game.
Juliet, don't say such horrible things. You read my blog...WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?!?! ;-)
What did your Nino predict? Something similar?
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