Conference Championships

Who will advance to the title game

The AFC and NFC will determine their representatives for the 2017 Super Bowl on Sunday with conference championship matches in Atlanta and Foxboro. Once again perennial contenders Pittsburgh, New England and Green Bay are joined by seemingly on the verge Atlanta.

The Falcons have threatened greatness a few times....will they finally break through?

Ok, for the Conference Championships...let's pick 'em!

NFC

Green Bay @ Atlanta

Hmm, I had Seattle from this division at the start of the season, if I go with the Falcons and they make the Super Bowl...will we see them in another Super Bowl beat down? On the receiving end?? 

Green Bay has proven I must reluctantly admit that they are once again championship ready and have found ways to win since a mid season slump.

All of the above being said, this Falcons crew seems a bit more seasoned than the versions that faded in the past and come into the last game at the Georgia capable of beating anyone via air or ground.

After a 33-32 regular season win by Atlanta,this one could again boil down to who has the ball last wins and if the Packers have it...where there's a Rogers, there's a way....but..what if Atlanta finds themselves with the last possession....Matty Ice, Ice Baby.

Can't believe I'm going this way but....

Falcons 34-31

AFC

Pittsburgh @ New England

This one will be a cage match! There is no love lost between the two squads and well ... the Pats are the Pats...they're playing at home and anything, literally anything could happen!

The Pats took out their regular season meeting but all form is out of the window when you get to this point in the season.

Pittsburgh will need a better than average performance, they will have to get to Brady a few times and force him out of the pocket. On offense, they will have to limit mistakes and get a few big plays from the ground game.

Above all else the Steelers should be prepared for the bizarre with New England...check that appropriate air is in the balls, etc!

If they tick all of the boxes and keep Big Ben in the game, Pittsburgh should be in the Super Bowl as I predicted at the start of the season.

Steelers 30-24

Enjoy the games and good luck to all...

NFL playoff predictions

Divisional Round picks

The 2016-2017 NFL championship will be decided among eight teams of which only four will survive after this weekend's action all of which will be rematches from the regular season.

There are a few teams riding hot streaks but in the end some must win, some must go back to the drawing board to prepare for next season while thinking of what could have been.

Ok, let's pick 'em!

Seattle @ Atlanta

The Falcons have kept fans interested this season and have hopes of returning to the Superbowl....but...it's the Falcons, it's the postseason and they are hosting a rejuvenated Seattle outfit that is healthier than earlier in the season.

When the two teams met in Seattle, earlier in the season, the Seahawks came away with a narrow two point win. Look for another tense battle with the Seattle birds prevailing again in a close one.

Seahawks 27-21

Houston @ New England

If only the Texans could muster a little bit of offense, this one would be a lot tougher proposition for the Patriots.

While it may not be another shutout for New England, the Texans don't look to fare much better in Foxboro.

Patriots 28-6

Green Bay @ Dallas

Ghosts of playoff/championship games past come rushing forth with this pairing. The Packers have remained near the top for the last few years while Dallas has finally returned to the postseason and they are looking to make noise.

Aaron Rogers and Co seem to be nearly destined for glory after going on a six game tear to finish the season before disposing of Dallas' bogey team, the NY Giants last weekend.

Can two rookies, Prescott and Elliott step into the post season spotlight and lead the Cowboys to another victory? It may be a little tougher than their regular season win but gonna give the Cowboys a slight edge.

Cowboys 28-26

Pittsburgh @ Kansas City

This one will close out the divisional round of rematches from regular season games. It will be closer than the Steelers' 43-14 dismantling of the Chiefs but hey...I picked to Steelers to go all the way so will have to stick with them.

Is this the season where an Andy Reid team finally breaks the hoodoo and advances in the post season?

Hmm....will be closer but going with the Steelers.

Steelers 30-28

Back next week to see who advances to the Super Bowl...enjoy the games.

NCAA Titles and Wildcard weekend

Everything Matters this weekend

We have reached the time of the season where football gets that extra bit of anticipation and excitement stirring in fans.

On the NCAA side of things we have two national championship games and in the NFL, it's now win or go home time!

Ok....let's jump right in and pick 'em! Starting with the NCAA side of the equation.

NCAA FCS Championship

Youngstown State vs James Madison

The Dukes of James Madison have proven their worth this season in impressive fashion, conquering all before them with the exception of FBS bowl team North Carolina.

JMU ran up big numbers including scoring 80 points in a game to open the season and topping that with an 84 point performance against Rhode Island in late October.

Though Youngstown State had three losses, they were to FBS school West Virginia and FCS stalwarts South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Penguins impressed in the snow by pulling out a late game win over Eastern Washington on the road to reach the title game.

For this one, I think JMU will simply be too strong and will take the FCS title to Virginia.

James Madison 41-26

CFP National Championship

Clemson (2) vs Alabama (1)

Firstly, we have the rematch that everyone was looking forward too. There were times in the season where Clemson looked shaky but the Tigers came good when it counted and put themselves back in a position to take the title.

This season, the roles have been reversed, Clemson came into the Football Four as a one loss number two seed and Alabama as the undefeated number one seed. In the national semi finals, Alabama put on a solid, strong performance to beat Washington while Clemson made Ohio State re-think being there by shutting them out easily.

Will freshman jitters finally hit 'Bama QB Jalen Hurts? The question may be moot if Clemson signal caller Deshaun Watson has the game some are thinking he will against the the defense of the Crimson Tide.

While much is said about the Tide defense, it could well be the Clemson "D" that turns the game. ACC...ACC...ACC!!

Clemson 30-24

NFL Wildcards

Oakland @ Houston

Untimely injuries have seen the Raiders go from possible number one seed in the AFC to possible elimination this weekend. They face the leagues toughest defense on the road in a game that could be an ugly ground and pound affair. Sad to see a good season go to waste.

Texans 27-14

Detroit @ Seattle

The Lions have had their best season in a while but good things sometimes end abruptly. Going to Seattle on a three game losing streak does not bode well for the visitors!

Seahawks 30-21

Miami @ Pittsburgh

The Dolphins quietly went about their business to put together a ten win season but now must step into the spotlight in Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be eager to reverse a 30-15 regular season loss and the weather won't do Miami any favours.

Steelers 28-23

NY Giants @ Green Bay

Eli and Co fell just short in Titletown earlier in the season so they will be looking for a different ending this time around.The Packers have peaked after a four game slup, going on a division winning run to end the season. 

This one could come down to a game winning drive at the end which either squad is capable of. 

The weather will not adversely affect the Giants and they have been slightly better defensively  so calling a road win for the G-Men

Giants 31-27

Enjoy, and I'll be back next week with continued NFL picks...

Final Weekend for NFL teams

Still something to play for on last weekend

NFL teams in the AFC will be sorting out who finishes where for playoff seeds while there are spots up fro grabs in the NFC so it should lead to a good Sunday of football. Throw in a few NCAA bowl games and it will be a full day for sure!

Ok, let's sort through it with this week's picks...

As for last week's record....worst of my picking career 4-12 for Week 16 so need to bounce back this week as I'm sitting at 145-94 on the season, trying to avoid a 100 loss tipping record for the regular season!

Baltimore @ Cincinnati

Divisional pride on the line, nothing else!

Ravens 30-20

Houston @ Tennessee

Titans looking forward to next season, Texans tuning up for playoffs.

Texans 20-13

Carolina @ Tampa Bay

The Bucs simply need to win and let the rest sort itself out.

Bucs 27-23

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

Colts 31-21

New England @ Miami

Pats will be playing for First Round bye, Dolphins will be looking to build for playoffs...a mild surprise as New England may not risk some players and get healthy.

Dolphins 23-21

Chicago @ Minnesota

Vikings 34-23

Buffalo @ NY Jets

Bills 35-27

Dallas @ Philadelphia

The Eagles would love to finish on a high not and Dallas may rest a few.

Eagles 28-27

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh

Steelers 38-21

New Orleans @ Atlanta 

Falcons 34-30

New York @ Washington

Washington needs a win...period...but G-Men are looking to builf for post season.

Giants 27-22

Arizona @ Los Angeles

Cardinals 31-23

Oakland @ Denver

Raiders will be testing new QB for playoffs against a tough defense.

Broncs 20-14

Kansas City @ San Diego

Chiefs could improve their seed with a win

Chiefs 35-31

Seattle @ San Francisco

Seahawks want to solidify themselves for playoff run.

Seahawks 27-23

Green Bay @ Detroit

These two will know what they need to do before game time, especially in the event of a Washington loss but they Packers may still need to win or else depending on the Bucs. Going with the home team.

Lions 31-28

Enjoy...wildcard picks next week!!

NCAA Bowls

Outback Bowl

Florida vs Iowa

The Gators should close out the season with an in state win.

Florida 23-20

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Western Michigan (15) vs Wisconsin (8)

Western Michigan wants to finish off a perfect season with a big scalp and the Badgers may be still reeling from Penn State loss....maybe not!

Wisconsin 23-19

Rose Bowl

USC (9) vs Penn State (5)

This one oozes tradition and class of the past. Penn State feels they should have been in the playoffs instead of Ohio State...hmm....discussion for next year and off season.

The Trojans are looking to make a statement for the future...

USC 28-24

AllState Sugar Bowl

Auburn (14) vs (7) Oklahoma (7)

Sooners are looking to gain a bit of Big 12 revenge on the SEC Tigers.

Oklahoma 38-22

In with my championship picks next week....enjoy the games.