***SWAMPALA NFL CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND***
Two great Championship matchups on deck today ladies and gents as we get ready to see which two franchises are launched into the Super Bowl. The Swamp is locked in and ready for war as these two games should be some classic battles for the ages. Four of the best Quaterbacks will take the stage today to try and lead their teams to the promised land, who will emerge victorious?! Only time will tell, however the Swamp is cooking up some predictions and I am here to share them with you....
***NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - GREEN BAY @ SEATTLE***
Green Bay heads into the dreaded stadium for visiting teams that is Seattle and try to do what seems to be at the moment, impossible. The Seahawks are rolling on all cylinders as of late and have won their last seven games. However, today they face a great QB in Aaron Rodgers who is unlike any other one of those during that winning streak. Let's quickly take a looksee at who those QBs were; Seattle faced Kaepernick twice who clearly was not his best this year, the two backup QBs of the Cardinals which is all that needs to be said there, Rams QB Shaun Hill who is nothing more than a solid backup QB, the bad version of Mark Sanchez, and Cam Newton who I have not personally been high on this year when throwing the ball because of his inaccuracy and lack of weapons. It is also important to note the success Cam had last weekend in Seattle despite the big 'pick-6' that he threw at the end of the game to freak saftey Kam Chancellor. With the success of the running game, Cam was able to put up points against Seattle, which I believe carries more weight than one may think when analyzing this game. Aaron Rodgers is arguaby the best QB in the NFL, he is the total package. I know he is injured and that we saw just how much it limited him last weekend. He was unable to scramble at times and forced to take a sack when he normally would probably scoot for 15-20 yards or throw on the run just as accurate then if under no pressure in the pocket. This could spell trouble today against a much tougher defense in Seattle than they faced last weekend against Dallas. All I'm going to say is in the words of Rodgers earlier this season, "R-E-L-A-X." The man still has his arm and in my eyes one of the best RBs in the league in Eddie Lacy. I think Lacy is highly underrated and when has a head of steam, there is very few linebackers and defensive backs who can bring him down on the first hit. I think Green Bay tries to establish the running game early and will have success doing so with the Lacy and Starks combination. This will also open up the passing game which I think Rodgers will utilize short slant type routes and let his quick WRs do the work with their tremendous ability to YAC it up (yards after catch).
On the other side of the ball I think the Seahawks will try and do the same with BEASTMODE AKA RB Marshawn Lynch in the rainy weather. The Packers have had lots of success on defense since moving their stud Clay Matthews to the Inside Linebacker position. I think Matthews and Lynch go head on today and that the Pack has a gameplan to slow him down. Wilson is a magician in the pocket and has amazing ability to ad-lib and make things happen in his favor when under duress. However I think the Packers will have success pressuring him today and this is why they got the man they did last offseason in veteran Defensive End, Julius Peppers. Pepp will surely crank his game up today and I think is a big factor in causing the young QB to make a HUGE turnover that will establish momentum and control for the Pack sometime in the second half. Green Bay also has some underrated ballhawks in their secondary that always seem to be in the right place at the right time when they need it most. I like the Cheddar points in this one, maybe even a Cheesey heroic win as we witness NFL greatness at its finest when Rodgers gets it done somehow, someway today on one leg. Can't ya just read the headlines now?!
***CHEEEEESE +8.5***
***AFC CHAMPIONSHIP - INDIANAPOLIS @ NEW ENGLAND***
The Colts have really impressed me so far this postseason. Their defense has upped their game to another level. Their secondary led by Vontae Davis have been lightsout covering some very tough opponents. Today I believe they hang tough in New England against the mighty Patriots. Tom Brady is one of the best QBs to ever lace 'em up. I do think he may get just one more ring before it is all said and done and it is now or never. That being said, I like the Pats to get the job done here tonight but covering the steep spread is another story. I think Brady suprisingly will struggle against these Colt DBs and this may frustrate him a bit as the pressure reaches him into the pocket. Colts QB Andrew Luck is truly a phenom and in my eyes a top MVP canidate this season as he continues to put his team on his back and lead them to win after win making them believe they are worthy enough to be where they are. The GEICO caveman just like his beard is a BEAST and is on a mission. The way they put a beatdown on Denver last week was a message to the rest of the league. I do think that Broncos QB Peyton Manning was not himself and that definitely had something to do with their production on offense. His throws seemed to have very little 'zip' on them and were probably somewhat easy for Indy to defend. However this does not dismiss the fact that Luck was able to impose his will on a very legit Denver defense consisting of many veterans and studs. Luck has a plethora of weapons at his disposal so it is nearly impossible to slow him down when he has time in the pocket because he is so accurate. WRs Hilton and now Nicks have elevated their games to help make up for the injured veteran WR Reggie Wayne. I also see the Colt Tight Ends in Fleener and Allen being big factors tonight as well in the middle of the Patriot's secondary. It has also been a HUGE help to Indy since their running game led by Herron has been very effective as of late. If he can continue this today and manage to hold onto the ball, it can be the key to their success against the tough Patriot defense. The cherry on top is that when Luck decides to take off and run, he turns into a damn minotaur and is deceivingly fast and dangerous.
I seemed to have given the Patriot defense too much credit last week. Joe Flacco was able to find success throwing the ball against them, so that being said I think Luck can do the same. It might be another rainy one here and I can see the Pats looking to pound the rock with Blount and Kicker Adam Vinatieri being a huge factor in this one like he has always been in the postseason during his career. I wouldn't be suprised to see him kick one for the win at the end of a classic shootout between two future HOF QBs. Or will Andy Luck defeat and send another top QB home to watch the Super Bowl on the couch as he continues his quest for his first Precious? (Schmiegal voice) Either way, I like this one to be closer than the points predict, therefore I will try my Luck and take the Pony Points in this one!
*** INDIANAPOLIS COLTS +7 ***
Enjoy the games today everyone, and remember Swampy Loves YA!
