Nailed all four games last week, even though it made me sad to see my prediction of Peyton Manning ring true. 7-1 this playoff season…only missing the opening round contest with Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Indianapolis Colts (13-5) @ New England Patriots (13-4)
It has been a great season for the Colts and the future is brighter than ever for Andrew Luck. But the problems Denver had last week just aren’t going to show up here. The Patriots seem ready to go and pulled out a classic against Baltimore last week. Tom Brady is ready. The Patriots do have two things that disappeared in the divisional round: a pass rush and a running game. As a result of the latter the Colts will score points. But it won’t be enough. I’m sensing pure statement game here as The Pats look for ring #4 and the 1st in 10 years.
This game reminds me a little bit of the 1996 NFC Conference Title game, with the Colts playing the Packers and the Patriots playing the Cowboys (with the added Broncos playing the 49ers). The Packers, led by young upstart QB Brett Favre, upset the 49ers the week before as Steve Young struggled. The Packers had all the momentum, but were taken down by the experienced Cowboys. Luck and the Colts are close…but they aren’t there yet.
Patriots 35, Colts 24
Green Bay Packers (13-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (13-4)
As I said last week, the Seahawks are football’s best team. I have another comparison to make here in regards to how I feel about this game, although it doesn’t work nearly as well as the previous comparison. First though, some history between these two teams: the Seahawks thumped Green Bay 36-16 in the opener this season. Seattle has been on a tear defensively for the last two months. The Panthers’ 17 points were the most by a Seahawks opponent since November 17. Seattle is really good and are the defending champions. This will be no walk in the park. Seattle is in top form.
The Packers barely survived Dallas last week in Lambeau. While the Dez Bryant non-catch hurt a lot, it didn’t necessarily mean Dallas was winning this game (Green Bay only has to score 3 at home with minutes to go? Okay). Still, as the national lovefest for Aaron Rodgers continues (not that its unwarranted) we keep being told how courageous and incredible it is that Rodgers is playing with an injured calf. And that is true! It’s also going to be a big reason why Seattle wrecks him this Sunday. The Dallas defense and Seattle defense are very different. Seattle is going to go after him. I don’t see an injured Rodgers beating this Seattle team. I don’t see Green Bay stopping Marshawn Lynch either after DeMarco Murray piled up 123 yards last week. Too many red flags here.
As for the comparison. This game feels a lot like the 2006 NFC Championship game. Seattle would be the Bears here. Packers would be like the Saints. A top flight offense led by a lights out QB against a great defense and running game. And while Aaron Rodgers is better than Drew Brees, the Seahawks as a whole are better than the Bears. Green Bay will keep this close for a while, but Seattle’s really too good right now.
Seahawks 38, Packers 21