Championship Weekend Chipper’s Top 2
Game # 1: San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons 3:00 pm Eastern
The 49ers are riding high on the heals of a sound beating of the talented Green Bay Packers when, on the first offensive possesion, Colin Kaepernick shocked the home crowd with a quick pick-6 and a 7 point hole. The 2nd year kid made an incredible turnaround and 441 yards and 4 touchdowns later, dispensed the Packers onto their offseason. The 49ers are a 4.5 point favorite on the road against a team that sports 5th year star QB Matt Ryan that has an un-thinkable 20-1 home record! While it’s true that it seemed like the Falcons where doing everything they could to give the Seahawks the game last week, they eeked out the win and are hosting the NFC Championship Game as the #1 seed. Both teams have a very deep roster on offense that can list a super star at almost every position. On defense, it’s clear that the edge would go to the 49ers although, some teams found a way to run successfully against them and put up some decent points (Seattle 42, NYG 26, NE 34 & GB last week 31). This Atlanta offense is different. It has the ultimate weapon on their side and that is Tony Gonzalez. There are very few that can cover this guy and he is clutch when it comes to getting the 1st down, moving the clock and the chains. I know that Kaepernick is on a roll and can’t wait to go at it again, but Atlanta will come up with a plan to shadow him just enough to pressure him into mistakes and keep him from putting up monster rushing #’s. Michael Turner is running like a man possesed as well and Atlanta’s defense will do enough to get the crowd going and pump it up for the home team. Atlanta moves on to the Super Bowl in the upset.
Prediction: Falcons 31 49ers 28
Game # 2: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots 6:30 pm Eastern
This is a clasic game where there is one team that has absolutely nothing to lose. The Ravens go to Foxbora a heavy underdog knowing that this could be the last game of a storied career for their defensive captain Ray Lewis. In an epic back and forth battle last week in Denver (officiating notwithstanding) Baltimore went toe to toe with the almost double digit favorite on the road and came away with a crazy double OT victory that sent who most thought was the MVP and come-back player of the year in Peyton Manning packing up his locker for the year. The Ravens have all their key veterans back in every position and you can bet your Buick that Ray Rice won’t be droppin the rock in this one. Baltimore knows that QB Tom Brady has trouble when the pressure comes at him up the middle and the Patriots seem to be a one-dimensional team with little to no ground game. Steven Ridley is a decent threat, but not at this level and not against a veteran D like the Ravens who’ll be frothin at the mouth to get it on! Joe Flacco showed that he can toss the long ball with impressive accuracy and having a great possesion receiver like Anquan Bolden is a big confidence builder when the chains gotta move. Special Teams play for Baltimore is a huge advantage as well with the big returns by WR Jacoby Jones. Another underdog gets it done in the night-cap and the Ravens move on the meet the Falcons in Super Bowl XIVII.
Prediction: Ravens 34 Patriots 31