NFL Picks: Conference Championships

Sunday, January 18

Packers 2:05 PM Seahawks

It will be the #1 defense against the #1 scoring offense in the NFC Championship game in Seattle. I think the Seahawks defense takes advantage of a gimpy Aaron Rodgers by pressuring him early and often. Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom secondary contain Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and the Green Bay receivers, and Marshawn Lynch has a big day to lead the defending champs back to the Super Bowl.

Colts		5:40 PM
Patriots

In the AFC Championship, it will be Andrew Luck vs. Tom Brady in what could be a shootout of explosive passing offenses. The key of the game, however, will be whether the Colts can stop the Patriots' ground game, which pounded out over 200 yards earlier this year on a Sunday night game in Indy. While I think the Colts' rush defense is better, I don't know if they can get enough pressure on Tom Brady, as New England should reach another Super Bowl.

Last week: 2-2
Season record: 175-84-1

NBA All-Star Voting

NBA All-Star voting ends on Monday. So if you haven't voted yet, be sure to vote at NBA.com. The players I voted for are below.

CFP National Championship Preview

Tonight, it's the inaugural CFP National Championship game, as Oregon will play Ohio State in Arlington, Texas (7:30 PM CT, ESPN).

Couple quick thoughts about the game:
1. Marcus Mariota will try to become the latest Heisman Trophy winner to win a national championship, after Jameis Winston was able to do that last year in Pasadena.
2. As with many football games, this one will be won in the trenches with the key match-up being between Oregon's offensive line and Ohio State's defensive line. The Ducks' up-tempo offense overwhelmed Florida State but will only work if they are able to wear down the Buckeyes' defensive front who have future NFL players in Michael Bennett and Joey Bosa.
3. On the flip side, Oregon's defense will try to stop an explosive Ohio State offense which overwhelmed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I think Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Tony Washington need to have big games in getting pressure on Cardale Jones and the physical Ohio State offensive line.
4. SEC missing: First championship game since 2006 epic between USC and Texas to not have an SEC team present.

5. Running game key to both sides: Oregon averaged 6.7 yards per carry against Florida State, and Ohio State averaged 6.9 yards per carry against Alabama in their respective semifinals.
6. Don't really have a great feel for this game but I'm rooting for Oregon and picking them to win, because I think their up-tempo offense will eventually wear down the Buckeyes, and Mariota will be able to make plays in the passing game that Alabama's Blake Sims was unable to make.

#2 Oregon 42, #4 Ohio State 38

NFL Picks: Divisional Playoffs

Saturday, January 10 Ravens 3:35 PM Patriots

Baltimore has eliminated the Patriots in Foxborough twice in the last four years, so this is not unfamiliar territory for them. While I think Baltimore's ferocious pass rush of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil frustrate the Patriots' offense early, I think Tom Brady will be able to take advantage of a weak Baltimore secondary. Once Ravens fall behind, Joe Flacco won't be able to bring them back, primarily because of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner shutting down the Ravens' Torrey Smith and Steve Smith.

Panthers 7:15 PM Seahawks

Carolina stifled Ryan Lindley and the injury-riddled Arizona offense last weekend but they are in for a much stronger test this week in trying to slow down the top rushing team in the league with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. On the other side of the ball, I think Cam Newton and the Panthers struggle mightily to score against the top defense in the league, and the defending champs roll by double digits.

Sunday, January 11

Cowboys 12:05 PM Packers

The Cowboys got by the Lions (with a lot of help from the refs) to set up this marquee match-up on the frozen tundra (Ice Bowl II?) at Lambeau Field. I think it will be a shootout between the two teams, as Dallas should have success running the ball with DeMarco Murray against a mediocre Green Bay run defense, while the Packers should have success throwing the ball with Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson against a Dallas defense which has given up a lot of big plays. In the end, despite my hatred of Jerry Jones, I think Dallas moves on behind a big day from Murray, who will keep the ball away from Rodgers and the Packers, whose passing game may be affected by the frigid weather conditions in Wisconsin.

Colts		3:40 PM
Broncos

Peyton Manning faces his old team in the playoffs for the first time, in a match-up of QB's that threw that most touchdowns in the league this season. I think Denver's much improved defense (3rd best in the league) forces the turnover-prone Andrew Luck into a couple mistakes and the Colts' defense can't duplicate the success it had against the depleted Bengals last week, as the Broncos advance.

Last week: 2-2
Season record: 173-82-1

NFL Picks: Wildcard Weekend

Saturday, January 3

Cardinals 3:35 PM Panthers

Carolina made the playoffs despite starting the season 3-8-1 by winning a historically bad NFC South. Meanwhile, Arizona started the season 9-1 before finishing 2-4 after losing not only starting QB Carson Palmer, but backup Drew Stanton. I expect Carolina's defense (which shutdown Atlanta last week) to frustrate Ryan Lindley and Cam Newton to make enough plays in a low scoring slugfest.

Ravens		7:15 PM
Steelers

Seems like this rivalry meets in the playoffs every year, as Baltimore and Pittsburgh will battle for a third time this season after each won a home date with the other by 20 points in the regular season. I'll take Pittsburgh at home (even without Le'Veon Bell) simply because Baltimore's offense (especially Joe Flacco) has not looked good the last two weeks in a blowout loss in Houston and squeaking by the Browns.

Sunday, January 4

Bengals 12:05 PM Colts

I thought I was ready to take Andy Dalton for the first time in a playoff game due to Jeremy Hill and their defense and the turnover-prone Colts, who have no running game to help out Andrew Luck. But who am I kidding, they lost 27-0 in week 6 (their offensive line got manhandled) and won't have AJ Green in this game due to a concussion.

Lions		3:40 PM
Cowboys

The Cowboys' offense is great behind Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, and that great offensive line. Detroit's defense, however, is great too. I think Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have a big day as the Lions pull off the shocker in Big D.

Last week: 12-4
Season record: 171-80-1