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| Broncos' QB Peyton Manning and Patriots' QB Tom Brady will meet in the playoffs for the fourth time. Brady is 2-1. |
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday January 19, 2014 3pm
CBS -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
These two teams were the top two teams in the AFC last season, but the Broncos lost in an upset to the Ravens in the Divisional Round, preventing a Tom Brady-Peyton Manning matchup in last year's AFC Championship Game. This time around, both teams took care of business at home in the Divisional Round, so the matchup everyone expected back in training camp and throughout the season is coming. The Broncos should definitely remember their regular season game against the Patriots in Foxboro, when the Broncos took a 24-0 lead only to lose in overtime.
Brady believes the world is against him and the Patriots, believing the Patriots doesn't have what it takes to get by the Broncos. Brady is probably the only one who believes that, as many fans know both teams are very similar in talent and have an equal shot at winning. Brady has had to deal with a lot this season as his receiving targets has been a revolving door. When they got Rob Gronkowski back in the middle of the season, fans were excited because Brady was getting his main target. However, a torn ACL weeks later put Brady in a tough spot, having to rely on Julian Edelman and new faces to win games.
The Broncos will be without their best cornerback, after Chris Harris Jr. tore his ACL in last week's game against the Chargers. The Broncos replaced Harris Jr. with former Chargers' cornerback Quentin Jammer, and he was exposed. If Jammer gets the start against the Patriots, look for Brady to attack him all day. Manning will look to attack the side that Aqib Talib isn't on. Talib is a big, physical corner who will definitely look to jam his receiver at the line of scrimmage. Therefore, he can throw off the timing if Manning goes to his side frequently.
These are the two best quarterbacks in the game, and both are sure to be in the Hall of Fame when their careers are over. It's the matchup we've all been waiting for. I believe the Broncos will learn from their regular season collapse, and win a narrow one and advance to the Super Bowl in MetLife Stadium, the house Eli Manning built. Remember, Eli Manning won a Super Bowl in the house Peyton Manning built in Indianapolis. Time for Peyton Manning to do the same.
New England Patriots 24 Denver Broncos 31
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday January 19, 2014 6:30pm
FOX -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
This game is similar to the AFC Championship Game, where both teams were expected to be the last two teams remaining in the NFC. For the 49ers and Seahawks, it was just a matter of where the game would be located. The Seahawks finished as the NFC West winners, so they'll have home field advantage in this one and that is obviously huge. The Seahawks aren't necessarily a strong road team, even though they've only lost two road games all season.
The 49ers are coming in hot, winners of their past eight games and last two playoff games on the road. Playing against the Seahawks' defense has been an insurmountable task for Colin Kaepernick, so he'll have to play the best game of his life to get a win. Just like the Patriots, the 49ers are appearing in their third consecutive championship game. Could this be the year they see each other in the Super Bowl?
The Seahawks' offense hasn't been sharp as of late, so the 49ers' defense hope that continues. Russell Wilson lacks weapons on the outside. As much as Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin would like to believe they are good wide receivers, they just aren't explosive and don't help in making big plays. Marshawn Lynch has gotten a lot of carries, but he hasn't been able to find holes. Still, in this game, the Seahawks will need to force-feed Lynch in order to win this game. If it gets into a situation where Wilson is passing the ball a lot, it could mean trouble for the Seahawks.
Whoever loses this game would be heartbroken, as these are two teams who simply don't like each other. This could've been the NFC Championship Game last year, as the Seahawks rallied from a big deficit to take a late lead against the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. However, Matt Ryan was able to get the Falcons into field goal position, where they were able to win the game. The Seahawks were a surprise to the league at that point. They're not a surprise anymore. With the crowd noise the 49ers will face, I don't see how the Seahawks lose this game.
San Francisco 49ers 16 Seattle Seahawks 20
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