AFC Championship

By Mike Platania

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? The NFL will find out Sunday when the New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

New England boasts a style of offense that the NFL has never seen before, and the Ravens are looking very similar to the same Baltimore team that won Super Bowl XXXV. Which future Hall of Famer will advance to the Super Bowl: Tom Brady or Ray Lewis?

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has built his offense by highlighting two very athletic tight ends, one shifty wide receiver and a Hall of Fame quarterback. This innovative style of offense has allowed the Pats to score over 30 points in 14 of their 17 games this season.

Rob Gronkowski exploded onto the scene this year, shattering the single-season touchdown records for tight ends, and often appearing impossible to cover as he’s built like a tight end, but dons the athleticism of a wide receiver. Playing opposite Gronkowski is Aaron Hernandez, who is slightly smaller, but considerably quicker. Tom Brady and Wes Welker are very familiar with one another, and each are in the top two for passing yards and receiving yards this season.

But it won’t be all fun and games for the Patriots, as they haven’t seen a defense as physical and disciplined as Baltimore’s since when they fell to the Steelers in week eight.

The Raven’s defense is loaded with playmakers at every level. Whether it’s Haloti Ngata pushing the pocket, Ray Lewis laying lumber in the midfield, or Ed Reed ball-hawking downfield, Baltimore has the ability to shut down any offense.

Led by elite pass-rusher Terrell Suggs, the Raven’s defense allows less than three hundred yards per game. The Ravens are known for their strong veteran presence and leadership, but there is still plenty of young talent on their roster as coach John Harbaugh has helped players like Lardarius Webb, Cary Williams and Terrence Cody develop into starters. Baltimore’s defense allows less than 17 points per game, but do they have the personnel to stop New England’s offense?

Baltimore’s defense and New England’s offense match up so well that this game may be settled when the Ravens are on offense. Both Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and the Patriots’ defense have been at the center of much criticism throughout the year, and it may come up to either to win the game for their team.

New England’s defense ranks 31st in the league and allows over 411 yards per game, with nearly 300 of those yards coming through the air. Baltimore’s offense has been erratic, often disappearing for stretches of games. Expect the Patriots to get a full dosage of Ray Rice, who will be looking to exploit the Patriots’ soft run defense.

If the Patriots are able to gain a quick lead, the Ravens will have to weather the storm quickly by responding with points of their own, and they have the potential to with the emergence of deep threat Torrey Smith and the sure-handed Anquan Boldin.

These two playoff regulars are no strangers to the big stage, and whoever wins will definitely have earned it. I have the Patriots reliving nightmares of the 2009 playoff match against the Ravens and losing, 27-24.

NFC Championship

By Zack Conway

This Sunday an old rivalry is renewed when the New York Giants travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers. The New York Giants are entering Sunday as the hottest team in the playoffs. The Giants had to win their last two games to just make the playoffs and now that they are in, they have been playing lights out on defense. They have shut out the Falcons and then held the explosive Packer offense to only 20 points. With out a doubt the defensive line for the Giants makes this team go, when they get after the quarterback they are one of the best defenses in the league. With Osi Umenyiora now healthy, Justin Tuck playing like a pro bowler and rookie pro bowler Jason Pierre-Paul on the D-line, the Giants can flat out get after it. The Giants rushing attack is also now just making noise with a two-headed attack in Bradshaw and Jacobs, and you now combine that with Eli, this can be a very dangerous team. Before the season many were questioning Eli Manning after his statement about being an elite quarterback. After this season, there should not be a doubt in anyone’s mind that Eli is an elite quarterback. Leading his team to six game winning or fourth quarter comebacks, Eli has with out a doubt played unbelievable this year.  With Eli at the helm and a defense backing him up, the Giants look to continue their amazing playoff run.

The 49ers, unlike the Giants have had a playoff spot clinched since week 13 when they dominated the Rams 26-0. The 49ers are entering with the best defense in the league and they compliment that with a great running game. Under rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh the 49ers are playing with excitement, passion and aggression. He has instilled a new mentality that has his players playing at levels they have never reached. The difference this year though has to be the play of Alex Smith, Smith is playing with confidence and with that he is not turning the ball over like he used to and he is completing the big time passes. To help Alex this year, Frank Gore has provided a very solid run game that can be relied to make plays. Gore has rushed for 1211 yards and 8 touchdowns, and with the combination of power and speed Gore is able to burn defenses every time he touches the ball. The story of the year for the 49ers has to be the play of their defense, they are playing on a completely different level and they have been shutting out and stifling offenses since week one.  The play of NaVorrow Bowman and Patrick Willis on the inside lead this defense in tackles and hold teams to a league low of just 77 rushing yards a game. However, not only is the rush defense playing outstanding, but also on the back end of the defense the 49ers are playing as a unit and leading the league in turnovers. With the play of their defense and Alex Smith leading the offense, the 49ers look to complete their remarkable turn around with a Super Bowl berth.

Both of these NFC teams are playing at extremely high levels and probably in any other year these teams would be favored, but because of how both teams are playing this NFC Championship game should be intense from the start. With that being said, the playoffs are usually dominated and won by the hottest team entering the playoffs. I like the Giants to win this Sunday over the 49ers. There is no doubt that the 49ers are a great team and have made an amazing run, but I do not think they have that last little bit to get over this last game. The Giants have all the experience and an elite quarterback that can take over a game and win it. Alex Smith has played very well this year, but I do not think he can make the big plays to match Eli and the Giants. This will be a very good game to watch, but in the end the Giants and Eli will prevail in a 27-17 win.