Seattle got here after having a opening round bye, then dispatching the Carolina Panthers in the divisional round. Seattle is hosting the conference title game for the 2nd year in a row and the 4th time ever. A victory would put them back to the Super Bowl for the 2nd year in a row. Seattle looks to become the first team in a decade to win back to back Super Bowls, as New England was the last to do it in 2004 and 2005.
Green Bay got here after having a first round bye, then following it up by dispatching the Dallas Cowboys in a nail bitter in the divisional round. This marks the 3rd appearance for the Packers in the conference championships since 2000, and the first since their title win in 2010. This marks the 3rd ever meeting between the two teams in the playoffs, with Green Bay having taken the first two (in 2003 and 2007).
This is going to be a fun football game to watch. Seattle opened the season with a home rout of Green Bay, blasting the Packers 36-16 on opening day. Now, four months later, its the Packers who stand in Seattle's way of reaching their 2nd straight Super Bowl. Seattle has won eight straight playoff games at home, a big advantage of that coming from their 12th man. This will be a more competitive rematch with a lot more at stake. Both run defenses are going to have a tough task ahead of them. Marshawn Lynch and Eddie Lacy are both coming in having rushed for over 1,000 yards on the year (Lynch finished with 1,306 yards and Lacy racked up 1,139). Seattle may get the edge here, because their run defense has been just that good this season. As for the passing game, even though he is playing hurt, Aaron Rogers has had a better year than Russell Wilson throwing the ball. Seattle proved last week that they do have a pass game, but it pails in comparison to that of Green Bay. Sure Green Bay has Jordy Nelson and Randel Cobb catching passes, but lets not forget about Davante Adams, who had 117 on seven catches last week against Dallas.
But as good as the Packers have been this year, and they have been an outstanding football team, they are a different animal on. Rogers isn't 100% healthy like he was in week one. Even though he was banged up last week, he managed to pull out the win against Dallas. Hate to break it to everybody but the Seattle defense is better than that of Dallas. Plus the Packers really have only Eddie Lacy out the backfield, while Lynch and Wilson can easily run the ball for Seattle. Green Bay has also struggled on the road this year, going 4-4 on the road, as compared to being a perfect 8-0 at home. Seattle has the run game that could do what Dallas did a week ago and stick it to the Green Bay defense. Rogers will keep this one close, but in the end its going to be too much Beast Mode
The Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Indianapolis got here after a 26-10 win over the Bengals in the Wild Card game, then followed it up with a huge 24-13 win on the road in Denver over the Broncos. This marks the 4th trip to the conference title game since 2000, and the 8th time in franchise history. Indy is hoping to get by New England and make it to the big game for the first time since 2010, the year they fell to the Saints.
New England had a bye in the first round then had to fend off the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round to make it here. This marks the 4th straight AFC title game for the Patriots, the 9th time since 2000 and the 11th such appearance in franchise history. New England is looking to get to the big dance for the first time since the loss to the Giants in 2012. This marks the 5th all time matchup between the two teams, with New England going 3-1, including last years 43-22 rout in the divisional round.
This one could shape up to be another classic. Much like Green Bay-Seattle, this is also a regular season rematch. New England put a whooping on Indy in week eleven, to the tune of a 42-20 win in Indy. So you know that the Colts are going to be coming out looking for revenge. It hasn't been easy for the Colts against New England the last three meetings, losing by scores of 42-20, 43-22 and 59-24. In fact the Patriots have won five in a row against the Colts, adding on scores of 31-24 and 31-28 in the other two meetings. Indy hasn't beaten New England since a 35-34 win in November 2009.
New England just squeaked by against the Ravens a week ago, with little help from their running game. they ran the ball for just 14 yards against Baltimore. The difference here is Indy is a more pass happy offense than the Patriots are. If you take T.Y Hilton out of the equation for the Colts, they don't have much more to work with in the pass game. Hate to say it but Reggie Wayne isn't as effective a weapon anymore as he once was. Brady struggled against the pass rush in the first half last week, but was able to find his groove in the 2nd half and take over the game. Indianapolis doesn't have as good a rush as that of Baltimore. New England has to try and establish a run presence more, otherwise its going to put more pressure on Brady, who should be able to handle it.
The Patriots' stiff defensive front will force Indianapolis to play exclusively through the air, which won't be an unfamiliar thing for Luck with how the Colts are put together. But although he goes up against a 17th-ranked Patriots secondary, playmakers Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are more than capable of forcing some Luck lapses. He'll make enough plays through the air to keep his Colts around, but Brady and the Patriots will control this one from the get-go.
The Pick: New England Patriots
There you have it. Championship Weekend is ready to go, so sit back, relax and get ready for some hard hitting, high octane FOOTBALL!
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