Championship Game Picks


We've reached the Conference Championship Games. Last week I went 3-1 in picks, failing to realize the Patriots would still have the Chargers' number. I'm now 6-2 this post season with three games left to go.

This week the NFC and AFC will be decided as the two two seeds from each conference advanced. These are also the four highest scoring teams in football in 2018, so let's hope we get some better games than last week. But who will win? Time for me to make my fearless predictions.

NFC Championship
No. 2 Rams at No. 1 Saints
About: This is a re-match of a Week 9 meeting that the Saints won 45-35. That game proved the difference in the NFC and is the reason the re-match is again in New Orleans. At the time, it was the Rams' first loss. But they weren't quite as dominant late in the season. Neither were the Saints. Both offenses were held in check at times, but they should be on more equal footing here. The Rams looked great in running all over the Cowboys last Saturday, while the Saints spotted the Eagles 14 points before holding on for an intense 20-14 win. Experience is on the side of Drew Brees and Sean Payton, and the Saints are at home. The Rams have a stout offense, and likely want to make a statement, but I've been picking the Saints all season. No turning back now.
The Pick: Saints 41, Rams 38

AFC Championship
No. 2 Patriots at No. 1 Chiefs
About: This is another re-match, as these teams met in Week 6 in New England. The Patriots jumped out to a 24-9 halftime lead in that one and held on for a 43-40 victory thanks to a last second field goal. That was the Chiefs' first loss. And if the Patriots had been stronger to end the season, this game would be in New England. But they weren't, and it's not. The Chiefs' playoff struggles under Andy Reid are well known, but in a dominating 31-13 win over the Colts they seemed to lay some of that to rest last week. The Patriots, meanwhile, rolled to a 35-7 half time lead over the Chargers, winning easily 41-28. This should be a back-and-forth battle. The Chiefs have been high flying all season, and the Patriots have plenty of playoff experience, this being their eighth straight trip to the AFC Title Game. It's hard to go against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, but this Chiefs team feels different.
The Pick: Chiefs 45, Patriots 42

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more