There's only four teams left. Two teams go home today, and two teams advance to the most-iconic game in American professional sports. Let's check out today's match ups.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
PACKERS VS. SEAHAWKS
Aaron Rodgers leads a Green Bay offense into the most hostile venue in the entire NFL, and the Packers will try to defeat the defending champ in a tough road battle that holds both team's seasons at stake.
The Seahawks will be able to disrupt the Packers up front that'll limit Eddie Lacy and make Rodgers rush his reads and progressions. If there's a secondary that can cover the Packers' plethora of talented receivers, it's found in Seattle, where the Seahawks have taken pride the last few seasons being known as the "Legion of Boom." On offense, the Seahawks will be able to ride on the back of Marshawn Lynch, continuously pounding a weak Green Bay run defense. This will allow Russell Wilson to set up some long, vertical throws down the field that'll lead to big plays. Seattle wins big en route to another Super Bowl appearance.
The Prediction: Seattle 33 Green Bay 17
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
COLTS VS. PATRIOTS
Tom Brady looks to lead his New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012, but to get there, the Patriots will have to go through Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
Things were one-sided the last time these two teams met up in this year's regular season match up, where the Patriots dismantled the Colts defense on the ground on their way to a 42-20 victory in Lucas Oil Stadium. It was a day where Jonas Gray got the rock 37 times, rushing for 201 yards and four (yes, four) touchdowns.
Indianapolis will certainly beef up security at the line of scrimmage today, and Andrew Luck will finally put his name along in the hat of elite quarterbacks in the NFL. I was impressed by how much the Colts were able limit the Denver Broncos rushing attack last week, allowing the Broncos to rush for just 88 yards. Indianapolis also showed great physicality in their secondary, contesting the Broncos' short routes that incapacitated their passing attack with an injured Peyton Manning.
This game will be close, and could very easily become one of the greatest postseason match ups in NFL history. I'm taking the Colts getting their revenge in Foxboro.
The Prediction: Indianapolis 31 New England 30
Enjoy today's games and be sure to follow me on Twitter @griffaldo!
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