NFL Conference Semi Finals

Hit on most picks last week with exception of Ravens at Steelers (no bell = no win).

This weekend's matchup.

Baltimore at New England:

If there's one team that can beat the Patriots, it's the Ravens. However, I seriously doubt it will happen this time around especially since the Ravens do not have Ray Lewis anymore. I imagine that the Raven's gameplan on defense is to find a way to negate Rob Gronkowski's effectiveness down the field so they will be using multiple coverages on him. That will open up the field on the outside and give guys like Edelman and Lafell lanes to work with. With an aggressive front 7 of the Ravens, the Patriots can easily negate those with a powerful screen game that they have either by using wide receivers or running backs. This going to be close for a while and then the Patriots will pull away late.

17 - 31 Patriots

Carolina at Seattle

Believe it or not I have the Panthers in this game. And if you've been watching them the last month,  you will start to understand why they are legitimate contenders. Jonathan Stewart is healthy and is providing the Panthers with a healthy run game averaging over 100 yards in his last 6 games. Their defense is starting to look a lot like the defense of last year when they were the No.2 seed. If there is a defense in the NFC that can stop the dual threat of the Seahawks offense, its these Carolina Panthers. However, in order for the Panthers to win Cam Newton must play the game of his life and he will. If they can get the run game going early the Panthers will win this game. On the other side, Russell Wilson is probably the NFL's most dangerous QB moving outside the pocket this year. If the Panthers do not contain him in the pocket it will look a lot like last year when they couldn't stop Caepernick. But I think the Panthers will contain Wilson, be stout versus the run, and win this game.

23 - 16 Panthers

Indianapolis at Denver

The big headline here: Legend versus former franchise. The headline should probably be the Denver Broncos defense. I have a feeling they will be ready for this game. Andrew Luck, a lot like last year's playoff game in New England, will turn the ball over at inopportune times. As big as a shootout this game might be hyped out to be, it will probably be the lowest scoring game this weekend. The key in this game is the running game of the Colts. If they can sustain a good enough run game to take time off the clock and move the ball, they can find a way late in the fourth to sneak out with a victory. However, if they do not find any running lanes early they might be in for a long long day.

13 - 17  Broncos

Dallas at Green Bay

All the talk is about 8-0 on the road versus 8-0 at home. The better question is about the running games. Who's is going to not necessarily start out stronger but finish the game in the second half. Last season when the Packers visited Dallas, Murray had almost 100 yards rushing in the first half and then almost none in the second half. Eddie Lacey started the second half with a 60 yard run and pinballed the Packers to a improbably comeback victory in Dallas. This game will come down to who gets their running games going and can move the ball without having the throw in the cold. Because the Packers are playing at home , because Aaron Rodgers is going to be limited, the Packers are probably game planning for Eddie Lacey to get 30 touches, 40 if the game is close. I believe he can be effective enough so that Aaron Rodgers can get a bit of a passing lane. Tony Romo is going to struggle in the cold and Jerry Jones is not going to be a happy man.

21 - 31 Packers