NFL Championship Round Predictions:
It’s the Championship round! Who’s ready? We’re in for some good football, but don’t be surprised if you feel let down after last week. That Cowboys-Packers game was beyond words. This week we have Green Bay vs. Atlanta and New England vs. Pittsburgh. These four teams are all led by dynamic future Hall of Fame quarterbacks surrounded by explosive playmakers. Both games will showcase incredible offenses and I get the sense that there won’t be any defensive showdowns from here-on-out. Get ready! Here are our predictions for this upcoming weekend.
Green Bay Packers — Atlanta Falcons:
Matthew:
Quarterback: Packers
Running Back: Falcons
Wide Receiver: Falcons
Offensive Line: Packers
Defense: Falcons
This game will come down to one thing and one thing only……whether or not the Packers receivers can survive the whole game. Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Geronimo Allison are all questionable for the game and haven’t practiced all week. According to Head Coach Mike McCarthy these three receivers probably wouldn’t play in a regular season game. It sounds like all three will be on the field, but if they aren’t even close to 100%, how well can Aaron Rodgers play? Aaron Rodgers has been amazing this season but his receiving corps has really picked up its game in these playoffs. If the three of them don’t play, this game won’t be close at all. With Matt Ryan on fire, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman torching linebackers, and Julio Jones burning Richard Sherman, the Packers will need to match whatever the Falcons put up and that won’t be easy. That said, I expect this game to be somewhat close. Falcons: 38 Packers: 30
Benjamin:
What happens when you mix fire with fire? Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are riding an 8 game winning streak, headlined by a 21:1 TD/Interception ratio. The Falcons, on the other hand, will host the Championship matchup and are riding their own hot streak. During their 5 game winning streak, opponents have been feeling the dry ice burn of Matty Ice’s 38 TDs. Last week’s thumping of the Seahawks showcased why Ryan was First Team All NFL and is leading the MVP race. However, in my eyes the game will boil down to defense, and whether or not the Falcons will be able to get by the Packer’s O-line and shut down Aaron Rodgers. My guess? Probably not. Packers 30 Falcons 21
Aaron:
MVP, MVP, MVP. That is the chant you will be hearing on Sunday from the Georgia Dome all the way up to Wisconsin because Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers are going to war. If you enjoyed the Packers matchup last week against the ‘Boys, then saddle up for this one. I see both of these quarterbacks putting up elite numbers in a high scoring, exciting game between the two hottest teams in football. When it comes down to it though I see the Falcons ending out on top. With all their offensive weapons healthy, they are going to be near impossible to stop. Look at how they annihilated the Seahawks last week. They are home for the final game in the Georgia Dome so you’re gonna hear MVP chants roaring through downtown Atlanta. Falcons 38 Packers 30
Brandon:
This will be an offensive shootout in the Georiga Dome between two MVP-led teams. Aaron Rodgers is a man on a mission. Since being asked about his team’s stuggles in the middle of the season, he has pulled off 8 wins in a row. He has all the momentum in the world. However, Jordy is still expected to be out or play very injured and now Devante Adams is not fully healthy. The Falcons are thriving and Matt Ryan is playing better than ever. They have a better defense than Green Bay and I expect Aaron Rodgers’ valiant fight to end in the final game in the Georgia Dome. Atlanta will win this game. Falcons 35 Packers 28
New England Patriots — Pittsburgh Steelers:
Matthew:
Quarterback: Patriots
Running Back: Steelers
Wide Receiver: Steelers
Offensive Line: Steelers
Defense: Patriots
So after playing a high school in the last round, the Patriots finally have a real matchup. Big Ben is a top 5 QB but Tom Brady is the best of all time. The Pats WILL have a tough time stopping Le’Veon Bell. The man ran for 170 yards on the Chiefs!!! If he did that well against one of the best defenses in the league, just imagine what he will do against the Pats. We will finally get to see if Antonio Brown can beat Malcom Butler for the pizza. Can the Patriots secondary contain Brown? Maybe, but it won’t be easy. This will be an offensive showcase and whichever defense manages to record a stop will most likely emerge victorious. Steelers: 28 Patriots: 24
Benjamin:
The Killer Bees’ trio has finally arrived with Big Ben as its commander. Star running back Le’veon Bell has been driving his way down the field like a car zooming down an empty highway. His abilities, combined with Brown’s stardom will be way too much to handle for the Patriots. As good as Tom Brady is, I can’t see the Pats’ offense outplaying the Steelers’. Steelers 30 Patriots 20
Aaron:
I’ll admit it, I’m just not as excited for this match as I am for GB-ATL. However, I still think we will get some good football from these two teams. We have another matchup between two future hall of fame quarterbacks who have been here before - proving yet again that you can’t win without a great quarterback. The Steelers have their big three and the Patriots have Brady. If I looked at this matchup on paper I would probably choose black and yellow, but I watched the games last week and the Steelers just couldn’t produce on offense against the Chiefs and I know Brady, so I’m going with the Pats. Patriots 24 Steelers 20
Brandon:
This matchup is interesting. Pittsburgh has the offensive fire power (Killer B’s), but the Patriots have Tom Brady (GOAT). Tom Brady is hard to beat when he plays on the road and is nearly impossible to beat at home. However, I’m going heart over brain and taking Pittsburgh. I love this team and have to believe that they will figure out a way to slow Brady. They will have to score multiple TD’s which is definitely something they can do. Well not last week, but it’s a new day. I expect Bell to take over this game by eating up yards and winding down the clock. #SteelerNation. Sorry New England fans. Pittsburgh will come out on top: Steelers: 28 Patriots: 24
