2015 Super Bowl

The first Sunday in February is always bitter sweet. In many ways Super Bowl Sunday has become a national holiday. Time for the biggest game of the season and yet with all the excitement, we face the end of the season. After picking the conference championships correctly my two year playoff record sits at 14-7. I am hoping for one more correct pick to finish the year.

New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks

6:30pm on NBC

At times it seemed as if this season would be overshadowed by negatives. Even after the conference championships we find the league dealing with another issue in Deflategate. The league has announced special security changes for the footballs being used in tonight’s game. The NFL likely hoped to end the season with fans talking about the game. I think the play on the field will produce a classic, one we will talk about for years to come.

There are a number of good story lines in this game. The Patriots are trying to win their first Super Bowl in ten years. The Seahawks are trying to repeat in an era where just getting back to the big game is difficult. Standing in their way is the last team to repeat. We have Russell Wilson looking for his second ring and the opportunity to put to rest the idea that he is only a game manager. Then we have the Legion of Boom with the opportunity to face an all time great in the championship game for the second year in a row.

The Seahawks have had a very uneven playoff run, playing just well enough to win. They need to do more this weekend, stringing together four good quarters and not just one. I think they will be able to do so on offense, successfully moving the ball. I also expect the Patriots to move the ball. We could well see both teams score in the thirties. In the end I think it will come down to who can make the big stop when needed in the fourth quarter or perhaps even in overtime. That will be the Seahawks, pulling out the win in a game that will go down to the wire.

I think the Seahawks repeat as champions. What do you think?

2015 NFL Conference Championships

Last week I was wrong on both AFC games, going .500 for an overall record of 12-7. With three games left it’s time to talk about who I think will make the trip to Arizona.

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
3:05pm on Fox

Like last week the main focus in this game has to be Aaron Rodgers’ health. The Seahawks will make him move around, testing that leg. Can the Packers’ offensive line keep Rodgers clean in the pocket? I think this will be a close game but I am not sure Rodgers will be able to carry his team this time. In the end the defending champions bring just a little bit more to the table with a decent offense and one of the best defenses. The Seahawks go to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots

6:40pm on CBS

I did not think the Colts had enough parts in place to make it this far. I was wrong, making it hard to pick against them in this conference championship. But with Tom Brady stepping across the other sideline and with Bill Belichick holding a clipboard, I think the Colts’ run will come to an end. With home field advantage and experience on their side the Pats are the obvious pick. I also think the Patriots have more championship caliber parts in place. This will be good experience for a young Colts team but in the end the Patriots return to the Super Bowl.

What do you think?

2015 NFL Divisional Playoffs

I picked three out of four last week bringing my record to 10-5. While I did well picking who would win, my prediction of having four very competitive games fell way short. No such predictions this week as I fear we may be in for two maybe three clunkers. This weekend will serve as a sort of weeding out setting up two good matchups during the conference finals. But before we get ahead of ourselves, here is who I think will win this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots

Saturday 4:35pm on NBC

I have heard analyst after analyst say the Ravens are the one team the Patriots do not want to see. I have to agree. This might be the best matchup of the weekend. The question is, which Joe Flacco will show up? If the one who showed up in Pittsburg last week makes the trip to Foxborough, the Ravens will control from start to finish. True it is hard to count the Patriots out in any post season but I think the Ravens are ready. The Ravens will pressure Brady, helping to protect a vulnerable secondary. I did not pick the Ravens last week but I do think they will move forward to the AFC championship.

Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks

Saturday 8:15pm on Fox

Cam Newton has endured quite a bit so far this season in getting the Panthers to this point. He may endure more in this one game than he has in the seventeen previous. The Seahawks defense is healthy, which they were not when the two teams met earlier. On offense, the Seahawks will not turn the ball over like the Cardinals. The Panthers will have their opportunities to score but there is just not enough on the table for them to beat the Seahawks. The defending champs move on in a game that might be over by halftime.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

Sunday 1:05pm on Fox

There was a lot of talk about last week’s pass interference that wasn’t. The officiating in that game was uneven, making a great argument for keeping teams of referees together to work the playoffs. But now it is time to move on and the Cowboys will try to do just that. With their running game the Cowboys are geared for the cold of Lambeau Field. However after last week there are questions about the offensive line. Expect the Packers to take advantage of lessons learned. An even bigger question is the health of Aaron Rodgers. The answer to this question will have a lot to do with who wins the game. If Aaron cannot go, this game will be close with the visiting team very likely to walk away with the victory. The Packers seem confident Rodgers will play. If he does he will be a nightmare for the Cowboys’ secondary. Even in the cold the Packers will pass the ball and will move on to face Seattle in the NFC championship.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos

Sunday 4:40pm on CBS

Last week I said Andrew Luck would carry the Colts to victory. This week Luck will not be enough. The Broncos have worked on their running game this season and I think that will be the difference against the Colts. With the running game working and with Manning behind center the Colts will have a long day on defense. Meanwhile the Broncos defense will do just enough. The Colts will move on to face the Ravens.

I am not sure if the games, other than the Ravens/Patriots will be competitive but you never know what might happen on the field.

What do you think?