Who do you like in the NFL Conference championship games? I like the Patriots and Vikings.
Even though the NFL is a quarterback-dominated league, football is a team game at its core. That was proven during Divisional weekend. I slumped to 1-3 thanks to performances by quarterbacks who played above their reputation.
For players like Blake Bortles, Case Keenum, and Nick Foles, the rubber really meets the road this week. For Tom Brady, it’s just another drive.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday, 3 p.m., CBS)
(1) New England 33, (3) Jacksonville 27: Along with many other observers I fully expected the Jaguars to give Pittsburgh a stern test in the Divisional round. But, as we know, they did more than that. The Jags are young, fast, and talented. Most of all, they aren’t afraid of any opponent–no matter how much better that foe might be.
Despite the league’s salary-cap system that promotes parity and teams going from good-to-bad and back again very quickly, Jacksonville is a team that could be around for a while. There’s just one problem: the Patriots have been the league’s reigning dynasty for nearly two full decades–unheard of even before the current system went into place. New England has a team and a philosophy that has proven to be resistant to player and coach changes, injuries, and occasional spotty play. I still think it’s not quite Jacksonville’s time… at least, not yet.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday, 6:40 p.m., Fox)
(2) Minnesota 17, (1) Philadelphia 13: The Vikings have already done something no potential Super Bowl host has ever done, that is, advance to the conference championship game. They now find themselves embroiled with the Eagles in what should be – as I tip my cap to the late Keith Jackson – a good, old-fashioned, slobber-knocking game between two outstanding defenses. But I also think those units will cancel each other out. One big play made by either Keenum or Foles will give one team the edge.
Why take the Vikings? Keenum has been starting since the beginning of the season, while Foles took over after Carson Wentz’ injury. Foles put on an admirable performance against Atlanta, but he’ll be hard-pressed to repeat that against Minnesota’s top-ranked defense.
