Conference Championship Picks and Discussion Thread!

[Everlong]

Four teams left. One game away from the Super Bowl for each of them. It's time for the epicness known as Championship Sunday in the NFL

A reminder: point values change this week! A correct pick is worth five, a correct upset worth 10.

Let's do this!

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - The Packers have defied all of the odds to get to this point. Now they have to do it again if they're going to get to the Super Bowl. By all rights they had no business beating the Cowboys in Dallas, but they did it anyway. They were 4-6, and haven't lost since, thanks to otherworldly play by Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons are practically the exact same team as the Packers; extremely potent passing attack, enough of a running game to keep teams honest, and no pass defense at all to speak of. This means we could very well be looking at a shootout. As well as Matt Ryan and that Falcons offense have played this year, there's just something about this Packers team that is looking like a team of destiny. They're a force to be reckoned with, mostly due to Rodgers, and I think they once again defy the odds and survive another week. UPSET! - Packers 37, Falcons 34

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - Both of these teams are no strangers to Championship games. The Patriots, in fact, have now been to an NFL record six championship games in a row. The Steelers always have a chance to win any game they play as long as they've got Big Ben, who has worked a ton of magic in the postseason throughout his career. The presence of Leveon Bell cannot be underrated, either. But we're talking about the Patriots playing at home with a Super Bowl trip on the line. I would never pick against them in that scenario. Patriots 33, Steelers 20


It's time for the Packers/Patriots Super Bowl the world so desperately needs.

[The Legend]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - They might as well hang a sign outside the stadium for this one. Offense necessary, defense discouraged. This is a game that one stop could swing the whole thing and it's quite possible that kickoff strategy could play a big role in this one with extra possessions around halftime being a momentum turner. I like the Falcons ability to speed up and slow down their offense and still be productive. Devonta Freeman could be the swing man. Atlanta Falcons 38, GB Packers 34

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - The Tom Brady revenge tour has almost reached its climax. The Steelers are talented, but they aren't going to be able to outwit New England in this one. New England Patriots 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 20

[DBSoT]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), Atlanta. This will be an offensive showdown. Both teams have passing games that rival anyone. The difference comes in the rushing game. Freeman and Coleman can beat teams in so many different way. They can control the clock and keep Rodgers of the field. Atlanta also has a pretty solid pass rush.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), New England. Close game. Both teams are good. Blah Blah blah. It is the same teams in the AFC championship every season.

[HFX]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - Falcons 34, Packers 30

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - Patriots 27, Steelers 22

[CMPUNKFAN]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - Falcons 31 Packers 28

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - Patriots 27 Steelers 24

[JDD]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - UPSET! Packers

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - UPSET! Steelers

[xgamr]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - UPSET Packers

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - Patriots

[Str8Shooter]

GAME OF THE WEEK - NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), ATL by 4 - ATLANTA 37 GREEN BAY 33

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), NE by 6 - NEW ENGLAND 24 PITTSBURGH 17

[Everlong]

fml

[Everlong]

Not much to say about the NFC game other than that the Packers were outmatched in every phase of the game. People will try to make excuses about injuries, but every team suffers injuries. This team just has repeatedly missed on draft picks on defense, especially in early rounds, and they're apparently allergic to signing free agents. If Ted doesn't step down this offseason to let Elliot Wolf take his place, then it's another year we'll be missing the Super Bowl and wasting Rodgers' prime.

I mean, it was 17-0 before Rodgers ever made a single mistake. You can't win games like that. Defense has to be able to make stops, but they were giving up a first down every other play, or so it felt. Yeah, I get that this is the best offense in football, but there's gotta be a better effort than that.

Also, does Dom Capers have some sort of blackmail on the Packers staff to still have a fucking job? Every single year the defense is responsible for us exiting the playoffs. How the fuck is he still employed? it's frustrating because you know they're not going to have the balls to can him after this. But I'm sick of all the excuses that have been made for him. This is seven years in a row where he probably should have been fired after the season.

I can't be nearly as mad about this loss as I was about the last few playoff losses because, let's face it, we were just completely outgunned this time. But still. I hate watching this window slowly close on Rodgers.

[xgamr]

in 25% of his playoff games, the Defense has given up 40+. they need to change or the ceiling gets lower

[The Legend]

The missed field goal and fumble while driving made the difference in this one. That can't be your first two drives when you are facing an offense like that.

[Everlong]

in 25% of his playoff games, the Defense has given up 40+. they need to change or the ceiling gets lower

Yeah and an average of more than 36 points in all playoff losses. People like to give Rodgers shit as though he chokes, but his playoff stats are remarkable. It's almost always the fucking defense. I don't understand how Dom Capers is still employed.