Conference Championships

Wow, what a great slate of games last weekend! We can only look forward to more action this weekend as the conference championships have a tendency to be a lot more exciting sometimes than the Super Bowl, so off we go:

San Diego @ New England: San Diego pulled off the shocker and beat the Colts at home last weekend, and they did it with their back-up QB and no LT most of the game. Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman are absolute beasts on defense and will constantly bring the pressure to Brady on Sunday. They have one of the best CB in the league in Antonio Cromartie and anytime he gets his hands on the ball he can take it to the house. But last weekend Jacksonville executed a picture-perfect game plan on defense against the Pats and all Brady did was go 26-28 for 261 yds. Hard to beat a team when they execute the way New England did last weekend. They are expected to win this game and THEY expect to win this game. The weather shouldn't be a big factor on Sunday as temperatures are expected to be around 25 degrees with some snow flurries but we shall see how the warm-weather Chargers can adapt. A lot points are on the board here so I'm going to go with the underdog in this one. San Diego +13 1/2.

NY Giants @ Green Bay: What else can you say about the Packers? After falling behind 14-0 in the first five minutes of the game due to two Ryan Grant fumbles, the Pack never lost their composure and came back to outscore the Seahawks 42-6 for the rest of the game. Ryan Grant more than redeemed himself with a 201 yd., 3 TD performance. The Packers have all the weapons on offense. Donald Driver is playing his usual, tough physical over-the-middle game and standout WR Greg Jennings have given Favre the deep threat that the Packers have been missing the last few years. Not to mention Grant has established himself as a legitimate running threat. But Green Bay's defense is underrated. Aaron Kampman has had a spectacular year, Linebacker A.J. Hawk is starting to come into his own and the Packer DB's, in particular Al Harris and Atari Bigby are among the hardest-hitting backs in the league. The Giants pulled off the upset of Dallas at home last week and they are playing their best football of the year. Eli Manning is starting to show signs of poise and maturity as a leader and RB Brandon Jacobs will be a load and a half for Green Bay all day. WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer have stepped up their game in the later part of the season. The forecast for Green Bay is calling for snow on Friday and a high temperature on Sunday of 5 degrees. The cold will probably not affect the Giants like it might some other teams. But the Packers are too tough, too strong and they want that trip to the Super Bowl. I'm taking Green Bay -7.

Good luck and enjoy the games!!