Championship Sunday
Predictions
Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons
A case for the Packers:
The Packers offense is still
unstoppable. Even when the game seems over, hail marys, clutch throws, and
sporadic big run plays happen that keep this Packers offense rolling. We saw
Green Bay struggle to score for much of the second half against Dallas because
they lost their mojo, as long as they don’t lose their mojo, they’ll just keep
scoring and scoring. The Packers defense must hold down the running game. The
Atlanta Flacons offense is incredibly balanced and you must make them
one-dimensional if you don’t want them catching up in points with you.
As for that Atlanta offense
A case for the Falcons:
No offense has played better than
the Falcons this season and they showed their dominance against Seattle.
Unfortunately for Atlanta, they can’t expect to hold Green Bay to just 20
points. The Falcons must keep their foot on the pedal and force Aaron Rodgers
and Co. to play catchup with them and constantly one up them on the scoreboard.
On the defensive side, the Falcons MUST not fall for Green Bay’s backstreet
football scheme. If they do, like every team before them, Green Bay will
confuse them and beat them. Vic Beasely must be a beast once again and disrupt
Rodgers rhythm if the defense is to stop Green Bay’s offense.
Final Judgment:
I won’t be surprised if this
matches with the Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals playoff game a few
years back where they set the record for most points scored comibined in the
postseason. Both offenses are absolutely on fire. Unfortunately, only one team
can win. So how do you decide who to pick? Well, for me, I am going with the
quarterback who can play from ahead, behind, or close knit and that's Aaron Rodgers. Matt
Ryan can certainly match Rodgers playing ability. However, the come from behind
has never felt so strong from Rodgers. I really think the Falcons will stay
ahead for most of the game and suffer a small collapse on defense in a 2 minute drill
against Green Bay. It’s just what Rodgers is best at. And I’ll pick the guy who
does it best in pressure situations.
Packers 41 Falcons 38
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots
A case for Pittsburgh:
The Steelers have shown they can
win even when Roethlisberger plays poorly. Enter running back sensation Bell
and a swarming Pittsburgh defense. Both have been the crutch that the Steelers
have leaned on when Roethlisberger and Co. just can’t seem to get it done. The
Steelers have multiple ways to beat you. Let Bell take over the game. Roethlisberger
and Brown have MVP games. Or, the pass rush just slows your offense down and
the Steelers edge their way out with a win. If they can execute any of these 3
strategies well, this franchise will be headed to try and win their 7th
Super Bowl in what would also be their 9th appearance.
A case for the Patriots:
The Patriots defense gives up yards
but most certainly will not let you get into the end zone. Facing this defense
in the red zone is hard as the Texans found out last week. Tom Brady is always
a factor and not something that has to be mentioned but I will mention it
anyway. He is playing better than the best season of his career which was in
2007. The numbers don’t show it, but the game film does. When Tom Brady is
unstoppable, the Patriots are practically unbeatable as their 12-1 record shows
when Brady has started for them this season. This is the formula the Patriots
have been using to win. MVP play from Tom Brady with a defense who keeps putting Tom Brady back onto
the field.
Final Judgment:
I didn’t think much on this one.
New England is going to win. This is no disrespect towards Pittsburgh as much
as it is paying respects to Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick this season. Bellichick’s
team has been amazing without his top QB and without his top offensive
playmaker at times this season. I expect nothing different from them. Oh, and
Pittsburgh has played awful on the road more often than not this season. Don’t
believe me? Watch last week’s game against the Chiefs. The D looked very good.
Roethlisberger and Co. didn’t. #SixFieldGoalsWon’tBeatNewEngland
Patriots 31 Steelers 21
No comments:
Post a Comment