NFL Conference Championship Picks
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (3:05 pm)
Definitely an interesting match up, and not the one most expected. Vegas has the Patriots as a favorite by more than a touchdown, but some consider the Jags to be the best overall team in the NFL aside from the quarterback position. Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles has struggled mightily at times, although he did play one of his best games of the season last week.
While Bortles' ability to be effective against the Patriots is seriously in question, a lot of mystery also surrounds the health of New England QB Tom Brady. Apparently Brady hit his throwing hand on a Patriots player's helmet during practice earlier this week. Brady has since worn gloves to cover the injury, but reports have surfaced that he needed stitches in his right thumb. How effective he is able to play thru the injury will greatly impact today's game.
The Jaguars have an excellent defense, especially against the pass. They are probably the league's best defense and are loaded with playmakers who create turnovers and defensive scoring opportunities. The Jags will likely need a few big plays today, and the effectiveness of RB Leonard Fournette, who looked every bit the once in a generation talent I believe him to be last week before tweaking an ankle injury that has plagued him for a lot of the season, will also be key.
Im in the minority but I really believe that if Bortles can be reasonably effective (which the Jags coaches can help him with by making sure the right plays are called) and if Fournette can play near his best, I see Jacksonville winning this game.
Final score: Jaguars 24 Patriots 20
-While many analysts still are not giving Case Keenum the credit he deserves, he has the opportunity to help his team to a conference championship and a trip to the Super Bowl today (image from SB Nation).
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (6:40 pm)
All week long, commentators have complained about the lack of elite QBs left in the playoffs, but I think this is a wonderful matchup. It puts two excellent defenses against one another, and it should be a hard fought, physical game played in the elements outdoors, which is something the average football fan once enjoyed before so many became obsessed with offense. I love a good defensive game personally. And these QBs are nothing to be upset about. Minnesota's Case Keenum has had an amazing year and has played consistently at a very high level. While it is unfortunate for Philadelphia that their QB Carson Wentz got injured for the season weeks back, backup Nick Foles is competent and even took the Eagles to the playoffs as their starter back in 2013.
I believe this game will be rather low scoring and very competitive, but I believe the difference will be the superiority of the Vikings passing attack. Both defenses will be physical and will make things difficult for the offenses they are going against, but despite the Eagles home field advantage Keenum will be more effective than Foles, and the Vikings WRs Stephon Diggs (last week's hero) and Adam Thielen will out perform the Philadelphia WRs. Diggs and Thielen are both capable of being the go to WR on a lot of teams, and paired together they are quite valuable to the Vikings. This game will probably be close into the 4th quarter, and maybe all the way to the end, but the Vikings pull it out and become the first team to host the Super Bowl.
Final score: Vikings 20 Eagles 12
IDK about you, but a Jaguars-Vikings Super Bowl sounds pretty good to me.
Good post and interesting predictions. I think the Patriots will win but not because I don’t believe in the Jags ... more just how do you pick against the patriots. They have been the team to beat for more than a decade. It will be interesting to see if Brady is able to play or if he can, how effective he is. I think a 10% Brady is just as good as the Jags QB who has struggled like you said. It will be close, unless the Patriots are just messing with us and Brady is healthy.
I guess I am banking on that thumb injury being rather serious. However, I do think the Jags have more talent overall. But New England has Belichick, which accounts for so much (hes definitely the greatest coach ever imo). If I am being perfectly honest about it, I just really dont like the Patriots and Id have to feel like the other team had almost no chance if I were to pick them to go to the SB. I will say though that if Brady's passes are affected too much by the injury, the Jags defenders could capitalize with some INTs.
I don’t like the Patriots either, but I have to respect them as one of the greatest dynasties of all time. Probably the best. Their run has been incredible. Tough for me to admit that. The fact that Tom Brady is 40 and doing what he is doing is just crazy to me.
I definitely have respect for what theyve been able to achieve over the past 16 years. I just dont like their style. Im all about being extremely competitive but I also like for sports to be fun and filled with personalities and emotions. The Patriots give us nothing. I dont think their teams are as good as the 90s Cowboys or the 80s 49ers, but they are getting it done with less raw talent, which is the due to the genius of Belichick.
Wow! You were very close on the first game. 24-20 Patriots. That was fun to watch. Somehow Brady comes through again. I hate to say it but he is the GOAT.
At least I got the score right, I guess. And I guess Brady is the GOAT. It sure is getting harder to argue for Montana and Elway. He certainly is great. I thought the Patriots o-line got away with a lot of holding. Im just wondering if anyone else saw it cause I know thats something people tend to dream up as an excuse when a game doesnt go their way.
I thought it all game though, like even when the Jags were winning. I remember specific plays being like, "I cant believe theyre not gonna call that." I could be wrong, but the refs sure seem to like them.
Wow! Who could have seen this beating that the eagles are giving the Vikings. At the moment the score is 38-7 in the 4th so the game is over. Thst is a very disappointing way to end the season for the Vikings. So close to playing a Super Bowl in your home stadium. Would have been special. Pats vs Eagles will be a good game. Can’t wait for the super bowl. Hope it is as good as it was last year.
I would have liked to have seen the Vikings play the SB in their home too, and I sure would have never expected them to get beat like this. Whats crazy is they seemed to have the momentum before that pick 6 and then fumble. After that Foles was just on fire.
Nice to see you're getting your football fix! ;~P
Oh, and you've been tagged...
Not a sportsfan but interesting post nevertheless :)
Thank you!
Also noteworthy is that Tom Coughlin runs the Jaguars. He is kryptonite for the Patriots. The d line of the Jags will dominate. The only way the Pats ever lose is when Brady is hit and pressured relentlessly. By the way I totally agree with your picks. To be honest I don’t think the Eagles will even be able to score 12 points.
Thats an excellent point about Coughlin. I wish Id thought to include it. Hope the Jags can keep this up. Whether or not they can contain Gronkowski should be important. But I think the Jags play calling has been excellent so far.
Thanks. Yes the Jags game plan sure is brilliant.