AFC/NFC Championship Games
As we move to the final step, which two teams are going to earn themselves the ultimate trip - to Detroit for Super Bowl XL?
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Your thoughts on these two games and explain which team you think will win and why!
posted by Steve at 6:37 PM
10 Comments:
Surprisingly, I was really impressed with the games this weekend - I mean every game!
Seattle is an extremely talented team. I actually thought they were a bit over-rated, especially playing in the NFC, but the way they handled adversity against the Redskins, really showed me a lot. The Panthers were able to go into Giants stadium and shut them out, then go into Chicago (best defense in the NFL) and put up 29 - this team is on fire. For this matchup, I think the Seahawks will fall to the Panthers. Carolina is just playing extremely well, moving the ball great offensively and their defense is also playing remarkable. Though I think they will need a better defensive game against the Seahawks than what they showed against Chicago. But I think the Panthers go into Seattle and win 27-24. The keys to this game are the RB's. Alexander needs to be healthy and I think Foster needs to be the same. I do think the Panthers can win with Goings but to have two excellent rushers will only help them out.
In the AFC - many people predicted the Broncos to fall to the defending Super Bowl Champs. Their great run ended at 10 games, but I think people failed to recognize a solid 13-3 team who played a reasonably difficult schedule. The Steelers were obviously the surprise team. Pittsburgh flat out owned that game, the score was close, but in actuality, the score didn't reflect how the Steelers manhandled the Colts. Guess Dungy will learn his lesson not to bench his players so early! For the game - the Steelers are coming in as one of the hotest teams in the league, and sometimes that's all you need. They are not running the ball as well as they would hope to, but Roethisburger is throwing really well and their defense is flying around the ball. Denver didn't play too well offensively or defensively against the Patriots but were able to force 5 turnovers and capitalize on 4 of them. To beat the Steelers, Denver will need to again force turnovers and play much more efficiently on offense, sustaining long drives keeping the Steelers offense off the field. The Steelers will need to continue to shut down the run, but more importantly interupt Jake Plummer in the pocket and not allow him to scramble. The problem with facing a defense that blitzes as much as both of these teams do, if the screen pass. Don't be surprised to see 10 or so screens during the game. This will boil down to who executes their offense better. For that reason, I am thinking Denver will get a trip to Detroit because of the match-up from Denver's offense against Pittsburgh's defense The Steelers corners are the weak spot and it almost costed them the game in Indy - I think Denver will exploit that and win 21-17.
Panthers @ the Seahawks - Well this one is easy. The Panthers run at the superbowl will end here like you'll see in my AFC predictions these games are going to be blowouts. The Seahawks will dominate the Panthers by shutting down their offense and dominating on the offensive side of the ball. Final score Seahawks 35 Panthers 14.
Now for the big game with the Broncos and the Steelers. Like I said above the Steelers will get blown out. Champ Bailey will come up big again and the defensive pressure by the Broncos will be too much for Roethlesbooger. Steelers were able to run 42 times against the Colts and that was because the Colts offense was shutdown. Look for the Broncos to explode on offense to prepare for the superbowl. Tatum Bell will break off a big one and Mike Anderson will pound it in for the scores. Broncos 28 Steelers 13
Here's my thoughts on Denver...
Two fraudulant contenders get exposed this week!
Seattle has played nobody and barely beat a Redskins team with zero offense. Carolina makes them piss their pants and beats them 27-20. Denver got physically domonated last week, guess their famous illegal crackback blocks were not working, but thanks to gifts from the Patriots and refs, they steal one. Pittsburgh exposes Jake the fake and win this one going away 24-13.
Most people are picking Carolina and I like their defense, but I think the Bears were overated. I say the hawks keep it steady and their offense wears down Carolina so Seahawks take it 24-20.
Denver needs to get the run going early and mix it up. The Steelers were tough against the run, but a little suspect against the pass. Denver needs to keep the pressure on. The commentators were blasting them saying Brady was figuring the blitz out and then he threw up the big air ball to Champ Bailey. Denver's blitzes are risky, but they have worked for the majority of the season so keep it coming. The punting game was huge for Denver as well, the Pats consistantly had a long way to drive. I say Broncos 27-20.
Seattle was a little rusty with time off, imo. Carolina has dominated NY and Chicago. I think it will be close. Probably Carolina 27 Seattle 21
Cower has his guys playing with his attitude right now! And Denver has not been totally consistant (sp). Pitt 28 Denver 20
denver vs. pittsburgh is a matchup of 2 nearly identical teams. Both teams are fast and effective on defense and are dangerous both passing and running the ball on offense. I think that denver has the edge because of the coaching matchups, look for this to be mike shannahan and gary kubiak's most impressive game plan so far. I think denver will win the battle in the trenches and will squeak away with the win 27-23. jake plummer will be the key to the game for denver on offense and I do not see him forcing any throws and I think he burns pittsburg with his mobility and his ability to keep a drive alive. I think both teams will struggle running the ball but they will not abandon the run during this game. Look for the crowd noise to be a problem for pittsburgh who will give away yards on offense due to penalties.
The seattle vs. carolina matchup is on e that will come down to who has the ball last. I think this game will be a defensive battle, not really a shootout and I see the Seahawks winning this one 23-20. Carolina has some injury issues that will hurt them in this game. I think Steve Smith has an awesome day again but is limited in the amount of TD catches that he gets. I see Matt Hasselbeck as having a good game and making plays with his feet to keep the defense off balance.
I told yall motha fuckas the Broncos would go 13-3 at the start of the season! I also said they would go to the Superbowl and win niggas. West Side till I die BITCH!
The Broncos are gonna wax dat ass 34-6 at home against them sorrt faggot Steelers.
Panthers will win the NFC matchup by cutting up Hassleback like a little bitch nigga.
Denver had a great season, don't be dismayed. Only one team acan win it and it is too bad we fans don't appreciate when our teams have great seasons but come up short. Denever is a great franchise who compete every year, be happy you are not Cardinal or Lion fans. Broncos lost the same way my Patriots did the week before, turnovers and the inability to handle the blitz. Pittsburgh was the better team right now, they are playing incredible football and we should tip our cap to them. unfortunately for Peyton manning and Jake Plummer, they will carry a burden until one of them WINS a superbowl.
Couldn't agree with you more JohnnySox - Pittsburgh is clearly the best team in the NFL right now and they are my pick to win Feb 5th. Denver just flat out got spanked on all phases of the game. But, it certainly was a good run - not too many people predicted the Broncos would be playing for a trip to the Super Bowl at home in the AFC Conferance Championship game - me included.
I certainly don't look down on this season - I think Denver is a player or two away from really becoming a SB threat.
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