{"id":57812,"date":"2016-01-22T13:35:43","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T18:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=57812"},"modified":"2016-01-22T13:35:43","modified_gmt":"2016-01-22T18:35:43","slug":"mythical-daves-championship-weekend-picks-nfl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=57812","title":{"rendered":"Mythical Dave\u2019s Championship Weekend Picks – NFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NFLheader\"<\/a>By Dave \u201cMythical\u201d Siderski<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well NFL fans don\u2019t look now but your fearless prognosticator is 6-2 thus far in picking NFL playoff games. As they say, I\u2019d rather be lucky than good. Last weekend, I whiffed on the Panthers-Seahawks matchups but the other three games went as I expected. Now we are down to the final four teams. Here are my thoughts on this weekend\u2019s Conference Championship Games. Super Bowl 50 is just over two weeks away! <\/p>\n

AFC Conference Championship: New England Patriots (13-4) at Denver Broncos (13-4)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Once again the AFC comes down to Brady vs Manning, the two signature quarterbacks of this generation. Peyton certainly wasn\u2019t the Peyton of old last week but he managed the game well and took care of the football. The question is will this formula be enough against the Patriots. The Patriots certainly have question marks of their own and Denver has always been a chamber of horrors for them. This all said, with a healthy Gronk and Edelman, the Patriots can score on anyone, including the Broncos top ranked defense. Conversely, I don\u2019t think the Broncos offense will be able to match New England\u2019s output. The only the Broncos will win this one in my view is through Special Teams or by forcing turnovers. It\u2019s possible but not likely. Ultimately, the Pats will be the team advancing to Super Bowl 50.<\/p>\n

My pick: New England 27 Denver 23<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

NFC Conference Championship: Arizona Cardinals (14-3) at Carolina Panthers (16-1)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The NFC conference title boils down to a battle between the two leading candidates for MVP in Carson Palmer and Cam Newton. Both have been spectacular this year. The Panthers and Cardinals have been the most consistent teams in the NFL this season. Each team is solid both offensively and defensively. Arizona was my Super Bowl pick prior to the playoffs. However, their performance was somewhat disappointing last week against Green Bay. Carson Palmer looked shaky. Whether that was due to his index finger injury or jitters is uncertain. Carolina was far more impressive in defeating Seattle. In spite of how each team looked last weekend, I\u2019m still going with Arizona. The caveat here is that I\u2019m assuming Palmer will be 100% healthy or at least close to it. Offensively, the Cardinals have 4 guys in their receiving core that can stretch the field while the Panthers major weakness is in their safeties ability to cover. These teams are fairly equal on paper but, as they say in boxing, styles make fights. Palmer manages to outduel Newton in a tight one.<\/p>\n

My Pick: Arizona 34 Carolina 31<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If my predictions hold true, the Patriots will face the Cardinals in Super Bowl 50. We\u2019ll find out on Sunday if I am right! As Terrell Owens would say: \u201cGet your popcorn ready\u201d!<\/p>\n

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