It’s Conference Championship weekend in the NFL. Two games to determine which two teams will represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl 50. Here is our Championship Sunday preview including predictions.
AFC Chanpionship Game
New England Patriots (13-4) at Denver Broncos (13-4)
Storyline: It’s Brady, Manning 17 in what could be the final meeting between the two all-time greats. Brady holds an 11-5 edge over Manning in head to head meetings but he is 1-2 all time against Manning in conference championship games. This has the makings of another dandy between these two rivals. I expect a tight game that will come down to the wire. Here are my three keys for each team.
Three Keys for the Patriots
1. Go No Huddle Early: The Patriots should open this game up in no huddle. Go tempo, get Brady in a rhythm and limit Denver’s ability to sub. It would really put a lot of pressure on the Denver defense.
2. Win 1st Down: The Patriots need to win first down on both sides of the ball. They need to stay in medium down situations on offense so that they can still throw their three step pass plays and their perimeter screens. Defensively, they need to stop Denver on first down and get them into 2nd and long and 3rd and long. Get them into long down situations and make Manning beat you throwing the ball. The Patriots can’t allow Denver’s running game to get on track.
3. Block Up the Edges: The Patriots have to find a way to negate Demarcus Ware and Von Miller. They have to help their offensive tackles at times. They cannot leave them on an island. Look for the Patriots to formation their protections and get the tight ends and running backs more involved. They can use them to chip and release into routes.
Three Keys for the Broncos
1. Get the Ground Game Going Early: Denver will need a big day from CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman in order to win this game. It is imperative that the Broncos get into short and medium down situations if they want to throw the football.
2. Throw Brady Off His Spot: The Broncos need to get consistent pressure on Tom Brady and make him uncomfortable. They have to find a way to throw his timing off and limit his ability to get the ball out quick.
3. Peyton Needs to Play Well: Manning needs to play well if Denver is going to win this game. He can’t turn the ball over and he needs to make some plays in the intermediate passing game.
Prediction: Patriots 27 Broncos 24: I think this will be a classic. Two years ago, Peyton Manning beat Tom Brady in Denver for the right to get to the Super Bowl. Brady returns the favor this time.
NFC Championship Game
Arizona Cardinals (14-3) at Carolina Panthers (16-1)
Storyline: The two best teams in the NFC will square off for the right to get to Super Bowl 50. It’s a contrast in styles. Arizona is balanced on both sides of the ball and depends on big plays. Carolina is more patience on both sides of the ball. They pound the ball offensively and don’t blitz much defensively. It’ll be a battle of philosophies and which ever team executes the team philosophy the best will win the game. Here are my three keys for both teams.
Three Keys for the Cardinals
1. David Johnson Must Be a Factor Offensively: Johnson didn’t play well last week against Green Bay. He needs to be a much bigger part of the offense in this game. The Cardinals need to take pressure off of Carson Palmer. The best way to do that. Run the football.
2. Palmer Needs to Play Much Better This Week: Carson Palmer did not play well last week and he almost cost the Cardinals the game. Bruce Arians needs to get Palmer into a rhythm early. Look for some early three step passes and play-action passes to get Palmer into a rhythm and make him comfortable.
3. Stop Carolina’s Running Game: The Cardinals need to make Cam Newton the passer beat them beat them not Cam Newton the runner. Arizona is undersized upfront but they blitz more than any other team in the league and they will need to run blitz a lot to stop Newton and Jonathan Stewart.
Three Keys for the Panthers
1. Get Consistent Pressure on Palmer: The Panthers must get consistent pressure on Carson Palmer and rattle him. Force him to make a bad decision early. Palmer was out of sync for most of the game against the Packers last week because they got pressure on him. The Panthers need to hit him early and often.
2. Throw to Win: I think Carolina will run the ball just fine in this game. They need to throw the ball on first down and keep the Cardinals off balance. Cam Newton must be efficient in the passing game. Carolina will need more out of their receivers if they want to keep up with Arizona offensively.
3. FINISH! The Panthers almost blew it last week against Seattle. If they jump on Arizona early in this game, they need to finish. They cannot build an early lead like they did last week and limp to the finish line. SEAL THE DEAL!
Prediction: Panthers 31 Cardinals 24: This will be another great game but I think playing at home gives the Panthers a slight edge and that’s why I’m picking them in this one. Carolina will outlast Arizona Carolina and set up a Super Bowl 38 rematch with the Patriots.