AFC Title Game 12pm - Baltimore Ravens at NE Patriots (-7) Over/Under 50
This game has been inevitable since Big Ben went down with that ugly foot injury while playing the Browns in week 13. Baltimore clearly was the beneficiary of the Steelers' misery and rode that to the #2 seed in the AFC. The Ravens took care of the Texans last weekend 20-13, but really looked terrible in the process (only 227 total yards). QB Joe Flacco simply isn't good enough and I honestly hate their play calling, yes I'm looking at you OC Cam Cameron! Another problem that I have with them is that---the Ravens suck on the road. Baltimore lost at Seattle, San Diego, Tennessee and Jacksonville this season. You simply cannot trust them.
The Patriots pounded the Denver Broncos 45-10 last Saturday, shredding the Broncos threw the air for 363 yards and 6 TD passes from Brady. The Ravens play much tougher defense and have held Brady to a 71.4 passer rating in his five games against them throughout his career. That's definite cause for concern, but these Patriots feature more weapons than those other teams. TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez have been unstoppable this season and the Ravens don't match up well against tight ends. The Raven's linebackers are great against the run, but won't be quick enough to stop the versatile Patriot TEs. Bill Belicheck is too smart and Tom Brady is too good to lose this game.
Go with the Patriots minus the points!!
NFC Title Game 3:30 pm - NY Giants at SF 49ers (-2.5) Over/Under 42
Get ready for a defensive smackdown. This game looks like it will shape up to be an old school 80's style showdown. The 49ers allowed an average of 10.8 points a game this year at home, and will be playing with a lot of emotion trying to reach their first Super Bowl since 1994. I really think that they will dial down the game plan and keep things simple for QB Alex Smith. We all saw what a weapon TE Vernon Davis has become and he will be the key to the SF offense again this week. SF Coach Jim Harbaugh was the best in the NFL this year but will be facing his toughest test all year this weekend. He will find ways to get Davis the ball in space. I'd like to see him use RB Kendall Hunter more, and I think we will see him more involved (my personal sleeper). He is a underrated playmaker with speed, watch him.
Nobody has played better football in the last month than the NY Football Giants. Their defense has been ridiculously good, allowing just 12 points a game over the past four contests. They have also managed to accumulate 17 sacks over that span, including four last week in their 37-20 beatdown of the Packers. Aaron Rodgers was consistently scrambling and never got comfortable in the pocket. The Giants should have no problem getting to Smith on Sunday. The only way that the Giants lose this game is if the 49ers turn the game on special teams with big plays.
Let's double-down on the Giants and the Under!!
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