Road To Super Bowl LI – AFC & NFC Championships

Packers @ Falcons

There are years where matchups occur that you believe may be a stereotypical high scoring affair only to see it end up 20-17. Well not with these guys. The Packers & Falcons don’t have the toughest of defenses. They are decent, but can and will let up big plays. But they have the QB’s behind center capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Regardless of the status of Julio Jones or Jordy Nelson, we expect this to be a high-scoring affair. Aaron Rodgers has been on fire these last 10 weeks, but Matt Ryan has been perhaps the best player in 2016. In these sort of late playoff games, it’s typical that an unexpected X-factor has a huge game that makes the difference.

The Falcons have been spectacular this season and surpassed the 500 point mark. They have home field advantage. They potentially have the league MVP this year throwing the ball. The defense has speed which is always a good substitute for a lack of sheer talent in the league. If there was ever a season for the Falcons to lift the Lombardi trophy, it is this year. But minor obstacle, the Packers are red hot at the best time, just like in 2011. Everyone knows the New York Giants play big in the playoffs, yet they fell to the Packers. The Cowboys were perhaps the best team in the league this year, and the Packers beat them. They might just carry this huge momentum and topple the Falcons at home. This is going to be the toughest prediction we’ve made all year, but we think it’s gonna be Packers 38 – Falcons 34.

Steelers @ Patriots

This is a solid matchup between two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Big Ben vs Tom Brady. Two teams with plenty of Super Bowl history. A good amount of pro-bowlers on both teams. Against the Patriots there is always a high chance of being the victim of a blowout at New England, but we expect a veteran Steelers team to put up a fight. Le’Veon Bell is the strongest weapon the Steelers have right now. Expect Bill Belichick to come up with a strategy to suppress him greatly. Big Ben must have a big day connecting with Antonio Brown often, to put up the points required to take down the Pats dynasty at home.

The Patriots defense is not the same from two years ago. They are without Gronk at Tight End. It is possible we are looking at an upset here. But do you really want to bet against Tom Brady the year he was forced to serve his four-game suspension? We are thinking he comes out of the gates swinging. Although it’ll be close, we do expect the Patriots to seal the deal and advance to the Super Bowl. Setting an amazing matchup of Rodgers vs Brady at Super Bowl 51.  Steelers 17 – Patriots 27