American Football NFL News

So who is going to end up playing in the Super Bowl? Every body had their picks shot down last week when the Colts went out. That’s football folks, upsets happen and you never know what is going to affect the outcome of a game.

Just to go on the record again:

I’m going with: Patriots and Packers for the Super Bowl.

The other big game, the NFC Championship Game is at 6:30pm ET, Sunday January 20, 2008.

NY Giants  10-6 (Road: 7-1)      @

Green Bay 13-3 (Home: 7-1)     FOX

Prediction: Packers.

Will the hot Chargers continue a recent trend by upsetting the Pats and winning their first Super Bowl?

On 3:00pm ET, Sunday January 20, 2008 we will find out.

San Diego  11-5 (Road: 4-4)      @

New England 16-0 (Home: 8-0)     CBS

Prediction: Patriots

Green Bay Packers (13-3) Vs. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)

Wouldn’t a Super Bowl victory in one, if not the last year, of Packers legend Brett Favre’s career be a dream come true?

Favre already has two Super Bowl rings but has seen the team change around him since those times, the 2007/08 Green Bay team relatively inexperienced in playoff situations.

The gunslinger will be on his game against Seattle’s mediocre defensive backs and should light up the field.

But the underrated Seahawks won’t be pushovers, let’s not forget they did make the Super Bowl just two seasons ago.

Going on to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Super Bowl defeat will have instilled some strength in the players in stepping up to another level of football. Another vital aspect is the core of that team is very much the same as this time around.

If the Pack can keep Seattle running back Shaun Alexander quiet, as he has been all season, the boys from Wisconsin should progress to the NFC Championship game after a home win on hallowed turf at Lambeau Field.

Prediction: Packers

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys (13-3) Vs. New York Giants (10-6)

With the way the Cowboys have been playing for most of the season, the Giants will face an uphill battle.

Despite finishing the season on a quiet note, quarterback Tony Romo has proven he has the skill to succeed in playoff football.

But with Terrell Owens under an injury cloud due to a high ankle sprain, Romo could be without his favourite target against a good defence.

Both Romo and Giants quarterback Eli Manning will be up against tough pass rushes from their opposition lines.

Perhaps the biggest worry for the Giants is their unpredictable field general Manning.

Probably the weakest QB in the playoffs, Eli is a very hot or cold player. He plays on confidence and if Dallas can knock that out of him early New York will be in trouble.

Prediction: Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts (13-3) Vs. San Diego Chargers (11-5)

For mine this is the most mouth-watering of the four playoff games.

Both sides have more than capable defences, and both sides are electrifying on offence. It will really be a case of which side shows up for the contest and who wants it more.

Last year’s Super Bowl champions the Colts will be favourites to progress though, and if you crunch the numbers it’s hard to fault that prediction.

Peyton Manning, without the services of injured Hall of Fame bound receiver Marvin Harrison for a majority of the season, has guided his pack to a 13-3 season.

With a first round bye, Indy has been further buoyed by news that Harrison should be good to go for the Chargers clash.

For San Diego, it all comes down to the health of tight end Antonio Gates.

Injured in the Wildcard win over the Tennessee Titans, Gates remains questionable for this do-or-die game.

While receiver Vincent Jackson has been playing out of his skin over the past few weeks, Gates is a big and reliable target inside the hash marks for quarterback Philip Rivers. Without him the Chargers will lack a go-to man and Rivers may be feeling nervous with No.85 out on the field with him.

If San Diego commit to the run and pound the ball through LaDainian Tomlinson it should wear down the Colts’ pass rushers and open up the passing game.

Another interesting fact is going back to last time Manning went up against San Diego. On that occasion he was intercepted six times in a 23-21 loss.

Can the Chargers come through where they’ve failed in past seasons and make it through the playoffs?

Prediction: Colts

New England Patriots (16-0) Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5)

The undefeated Patriots have found a way to win all season long and a proud recent post-season record will have them buzzing with confidence.

2007′s most productive connection of quarterback Tom Brady downfield to wide receiver Randy Moss has been the focal point of the New England offence. The Jaguars defence will know where the ball’s going, but like every other team this season, will struggle to shut it down.

QB David Garrard has been a revelation behind centre for the Jags, and Maurice Jones-Drew provides a more than solid option in the running game. It’s just a shame Jacksonville have no wide-outs who will threaten the Pats’ cornerbacks.

While the Patriots do have some concerns on defence, especially in the linebacking ranks, their experience and championship winning attitude should see them through to the AFC Championship game.

And with injuries mounting up on defence for the Jaguars, this one could get ugly against one of the most efficient offensive units in the league.

Prediction: Patriots