Friday: Prediction time, NFL Conference Championship style

Happy Friday everyone! It’s time to breakdown the weekend. I’ll pick two or three BIG games, look at some of the key matchups and predict the winner.

This week, it’s all about the NFL conference championships.

AFC; New England @ Denver, 2 p.m. (CST), CBS

1.     Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady: Let’s be honest, this is what this game is all about. ESPN Radio personality Collin Cowherd said it best on his show a couple weeks ago; we have to stop giving Manning a free pass. Yes, he’s going to be one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game. But his postseason record and his record against Brady, which stands at 4-10 all time, taints that legacy. If Manning wins Sunday afternoon and then wins the Super Bowl, he might be considered the greatest ever. The same goes for Brady, who already has three Super Bowl rings. But Manning needs to win this game more.

2.     Denver passing game vs. New England secondary: There’s no secret to how the Broncos torch their opponents. It’s through the air. Denver led the league in passing by more than 30 yards per game. New England ranked just 21^st in pass defense this season. But the secondary came up big in pressure situations against the league’s top offenses, including a win against Denver. The Patriots also dominated Andrew Luck and Indianapolis, forcing three interceptions. If New England wants a win, Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard and company need to play well.

3.     Denver front seven vs. New England running attack: LeGarrete Blount ran all over Indianapolis last week, rushing for more than 250 yards and four touchdowns. He seems to have kick started the entire Patriot rushing attack. Denver’s defense ranks only 25^th in the league in rush defense, giving up more than 100 yards a game. This matchup will be crucial. If the Patriots can establish the running game that means they can control time of possession and keep Manning off the field.

4.     Prediction: These teams produced the best game of the season earlier. They are both so similar, but I just have a hunch about this one. Tom Brady’s bunch dominates the line of scrimmage and Manning throws a crucial interception late. Patriots 31 Broncos 28.

NFC: San Francisco @ Seattle, 5:30 p.m. (CDT), FOX

1.     Marshawn Lynch vs. San Francisco front seven: Nobody runs on the 49ers defense like Lynch. The Seahawks running back has three 100-yard games in six attempts in his career. The San Francisco defense has only given up two other 100-yard rushers in 42 games since Lynch was traded to Seattle. Last time Lynch played San Francisco in Seattle, he tallied 98 yards and went for three touchdowns in a Seattle route. Look for a little San Francisco revenge in this one.

2.     Seattle secondary vs. Collin Kaepernick: Kaepernick probably still has nightmares about his performance the last time he traveledto Seattle. He threw three interceptions that game and didn’t even complete half of his passes. However, he has been playing significantly better since, but he will face his greatest challenge in the Seahawks secondary. Richard Sherman and company are the best in the business, giving up just 172 passing yards a game this season. Kaepernick will have to look for ways to use his legs in order to loosen up the tight Seattle coverage.

3.     Pete Carroll vs. John Harbaugh: These teams are practically mirror images of each other. Both play great defense and run the ball. This game will come down to the better-coached team, and there are two great ones here. Carroll and Harbaugh may have different methods of coaching, but they both do one thing similarly: they win. How will this game be won? A little trickery in the offense? A bad play call that leads to an easy score? This will be a fascinating chess match between two phenomenal coaches. 

4.     Prediction: The 49ers are hot right now, and everyone is telling me that they will win this one. But my gut is telling me to go a different direction. Marshawn Lynch runs for 100 yards and Russell Wilson leads a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minute. Seattle 21 San Francisco 17.

Things I missed:

Stuff that I didn’t get a chance to mention during the week.

-I wrote about Shavon Shields struggles on offense for the Nebraska men’s basketball team earlier this week.

-Check out this feature about the guys who snap the ball to Manning and Brady.

-The Wooden award is Creighton's Doug McDermott’s to lose.

Thanks for reading! And have a great weekend!