NFL Conference Championships Preview

The NFL Conference Championships open this upcoming weekend with 2 Games on tap. These third round games should be very interesting and entertaining. The first 3 round of playoff games were full of suspense and intrigue so this round should even be better. The carousel of Head Coaching vacancies have finally been filled and as teams not in the playoffs are looking towards the NFL Draft and also potential Free Agents. All 4 Home teams won last weekend after all 4 Road teams won in the Wild Card weekend.  Here is a quick breakdown of the games this weekend.
     In the first game Sunday, it is the New England Patriots at the  Denver Broncos. The Patriots are coming off a win over the Chiefs in a game the Pats almost gave away at the end. The Patriots who are pretty much a one dimensional team passing, couldn't be stopped and look again to do the same against a much better Broncos defense. On a sour note, Patriots WR Danny Amendola deliberately was involved in a blatant illegal hit on a defenseless Chief player and the NFL should suspend him for a game or 2 but in all reality the spineless NFL will sit back and do nothing for it is the Patriots that are the team involved. The Broncos beat the Steelers in an up and down very physical game last weekend. QB Peyton Manning had a good game except the continued dropped passes by Broncos receivers is a big concern going into this game. Weather doesn't look like an issue but special teams and not giving the ball away will be very important factors in who will win this game and onto the Super Bowl 50.
     The second game on Sunday  features the Arizona Cardinals at the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers coming off a win against the Seahawks will need to put together a whole 60 minute game to beat the Cardinals. Carolina is a very bruising physical team who if they play their style of game will give the Cardinals a very tough game.  The Cardinals coming off an OT thrilling win over the Packers need to go back to the style of play that had them winning in mid to late season.  The defense has been scorched allot lately and the OL needs to do a better job of protecting QB Carson Palmer.  Palmer coming off his worst performance of the year needs to re group and take what the Carolina defense gives him. Not turning the ball over will be pivotal in this game as will the weather which looks like it will play a big part in the game as a snow/rain/sleet storm will push through the south east this weekend. The winner of this game will play the AFC Championship Game winner in 2 weeks in Glendale, Arizona. 
   
     Cooper the #NFL Analyst was 188-58 in his picks during the season, he was 3-1 in the Wild Card games and also 3-1 in the Divisional Games and is 6-2 overall. We will record his picks and how He does throughout the NFL playoffs.   @cupofjoeintheD

Cooper NFL Analyst relaxing after making his NFL Conference Championship Picks

 

			NFL Playoffs -Conference Championships
						CupofJoe		Cooper
Arizona at Carolina						Carolina		Carolina
New England at Denver						Denver		Denver