I'll have to keep it relatively short and sweet this week even though the match ups are considerably more exciting.
Patriots at Broncos
Brady vs. Manning. Part 500 or whatever. The last iteration of this epic rivalry was a frigid Patriot win that saw them storm back from 24 down to eke it out in overtime. Here's what you need to know for this game. The weather will unlikely play a significant role which means that the game will have to be played in the air and not just on the ground as New England was able to do last week against Indy. Look for the Broncos to rush out to a quick lead behind their killer passing attack (healthier than it was on November 24th) and the Patriots will have to pass in order to keep up. Even with Peyton's ability to make the deep throw, the Bronco offense thrives between the hashes and the Patriots have a strong defense in there and if they are able to jam up Thomas and Welker, they may be able to slow this offense down enough to make a difference. The game can either be a 31-17 Bronco win where the Patriots simply run out of time clawing back into it or a 34-31 late game heroic Prater kick. Either way, I think Denver is going to the Super Bowl even though I was feeling New England for most of the past week. It's hard to bet against the most explosive offense in the history of the game in such a spot at home.
Broncos
49ers at Seahawks
What really needs to be said here? We've seen these two play twice a year every year and twice again this year in what were two very spirited contests. The Seahawks, as expected, dominated the Seattle game and the Niners won a tough one 19-17 in San Francisco a couple months later. Part III is clearly a deciduous game in more sense than just in terms of the conference championship as it also decides the victor of their personal rivalry that runs all the way from their head coaches to the symbols on their helmet. As for what to expect in tonight's game, it's quite simple really: if the refs call the game tight and are generous with the flag on pass interference and defensive holding, then the score will be run up into the 20s and maybe even the 30s each, the Seahawks losing the advantage that their physical, imposing secondary has and the Niners have a strong chance of winning. If the refs don't call everything, the Seahawks will dominate the receivers, both teams will rely mostly on the run and it becomes a Lynch vs. Gore tilt in which the advantage, though slight, will be in Seattle's favor and they win a low scoring, defensive game. Both teams have very talented offensive lines... but Seattle's is very heavily penalized at times and, again, the whistle could determine the outcome. My gut reaction tells me Seattle wins this game and not just because of their notorious 12th man. The Niners have been getting it done on the road all postseason long and that is quite impressive but I'm not sure they can overcome the top defense in the NFL for a fourth consecutive road playoff win (Week 17 was a must win).
Seahawks
So there you have it. The league's best Offense vs. the league's best Defense in the Super Bowl.
dig it.
49ers at Seahawks
What really needs to be said here? We've seen these two play twice a year every year and twice again this year in what were two very spirited contests. The Seahawks, as expected, dominated the Seattle game and the Niners won a tough one 19-17 in San Francisco a couple months later. Part III is clearly a deciduous game in more sense than just in terms of the conference championship as it also decides the victor of their personal rivalry that runs all the way from their head coaches to the symbols on their helmet. As for what to expect in tonight's game, it's quite simple really: if the refs call the game tight and are generous with the flag on pass interference and defensive holding, then the score will be run up into the 20s and maybe even the 30s each, the Seahawks losing the advantage that their physical, imposing secondary has and the Niners have a strong chance of winning. If the refs don't call everything, the Seahawks will dominate the receivers, both teams will rely mostly on the run and it becomes a Lynch vs. Gore tilt in which the advantage, though slight, will be in Seattle's favor and they win a low scoring, defensive game. Both teams have very talented offensive lines... but Seattle's is very heavily penalized at times and, again, the whistle could determine the outcome. My gut reaction tells me Seattle wins this game and not just because of their notorious 12th man. The Niners have been getting it done on the road all postseason long and that is quite impressive but I'm not sure they can overcome the top defense in the NFL for a fourth consecutive road playoff win (Week 17 was a must win).
Seahawks
So there you have it. The league's best Offense vs. the league's best Defense in the Super Bowl.
dig it.
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