Last week's Divisional Playoffs threw up a couple of classic games, and a huge shock as the Giants thrashed the Packers in Green Bay. Their reward is a trip to Candlestick to take on the 49ers, but before that the Ravens travel to Gillette Stadium for the AFC Championship Game against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
AFC Championship
#2 Baltimore (13-4) at #1 New England (14-3)
As the top two in the AFC go head to head for the championship, there is one big question. Can Baltimore's defence contain Tom Brady? That's about what it comes down to. The Ravens have the fourth best passing defence in the league (third best in overall yards and points allowed), but Brady is the second best passer in terms of yards this season (behind only the record shattering Drew Brees) and had 39 touchdowns in the regular season before adding an incredible six more in the Divisional Round against the Broncos.
The two most important players on the Ravens roster today are Ray Lewis and Tyrell Suggs. The linebacker duo are going to be tasked with breaking the Patriots shaky offensive line and getting to Brady, who has been hit hard a few times this season. On offence, the Ravens will looks at the Patriots having the 31st ranked pass defence in the league, and Joe Flacco will be prepared to throw. I do expect Ray Rice to carry frequently though, again, the Pats' rush defence is poor, just 17th in the league, and Rice has the power and speed to exploit them.
The game will be decided purely by Brady and if he can evade the Ravens defence. Baltimore will score points against this Patriots defence who leak points all over the place. If Tom Brady can avoid Suggs and Lewis and find Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, we could see a high scoring shootout. It's going to be close, and will almost certainly be a thriller in Foxborough, and I have an inkling that it will be the Ravens who will be travelling to Inidianapolis in two weeks time.
Prediction: Baltimore 34 New England 31
NFC Championship
#4 New York Giants (11-7) at #2 San Francisco (14-3)
I did say that the Giants would cause the Packers more problems than most people thought last week, and I was proved right as they steamrollered their way to victory. Eli Manning looks to lead his team to a second Super Bowl, but comes up against a stern San Francisco team who will be buzzing after their thrilling last seconds win over the Saints last week.
Nicks, Manningham, Cruz and Bradshaw. It's a four headed monster of weapons that Eli has at his disposal, and even with one of the best defences in the league (2nd in points allowed and league best in rush defence) the 49ers will find it difficult to cope with the multitude of options the three wide formation gives the Giants. Tom Coughlin has written a playbook that thrives on that formation, and you've got to believe that Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio have been working with their defence all week to neutralise this threat.
The 49ers themselves have had a great season, but have proved not to be unbeatable. Alex Smith at quarterback however, has had his best NFL season since being the #1 overall draft pick in 2005. His intelligent play is backed up by the powerhouse Frank Gore at running back, and there are points in this team. I see the 49ers using the home advantage and taking another close game to see a repeat of Thanksgiving night's Harbaugh Bowl in The Greatest Show on Earth
Prediction: New York Giants 34 San Francisco 38
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