NFL Playoffs NFC/AFC Championships Preview

By: Lucas Kochevar

     The Super Bowl LI match-up will be figured out this weekend as the four teams fighting for their Super Bowl berth is the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The first game Sunday is between the Packers and the Falcons in the Georgia Dome's final game ever. The Falcons are given the edge in Las Vegas as the line is -5 in favor of Atlanta. This game should be a shootout as Aaron Rodgers is playing at another level and the Falcons offense is still high-powered. The biggest problem for Green Bay is the fact that they have worse personnel than Atlanta. They are carried solely by Aaron Rodgers. With out him this team would be on the same level as the Bears. Atlanta at least has a great RB duo, a star WR, and a dynamic, rising edge rusher, who led the league in sacks with 15.5. I think the Falcons have an advantage in almost everywhere except QB. The Falcons will need to have a game plan ready for Aaron Rodgers if they can get two or more stops than I really like the Falcons in this game. I can see Atlanta winning 38-34.

      The next game is between the Steelers and Patriots. This should be a fun game as Big Ben and Tom Brady are meeting up for their second postseason match-up. The three B's of Pittsburgh will likely be ready for Tom Brady and Co. I think the key for New England is stopping Le'Veon Bell as he has been unstoppable the last two months. The key for the Steelers is exploiting this NE defense. In statistics they are one of the best but if you look at their schedule they haven't played that many legitimate QB's. If you remember the last time Pitt and NE played this year the Steelers had to go with Landry Jones at QB because Big Ben was hurt. I think Tom Brady will throw an interception and that will be the turning point for Pittsburgh. I like Pittsburgh with the upset 27-24. 

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