NFL Playoffs Conference Championship Picks

NFL Playoffs Conference Championship Picks

Baltimore Ravens (12-6) at New England Patriots (13-4)

New England 35, Baltimore 31.

Can Baltimore's emotional high last them an entire game against New England? Baltimore is feeding off the emotions of Ray Lewis' retirement announcement and they also have the football gods on their side. If I told you that down seven points with less then forty seconds left that Joe Flacco will hit Jacoby Jones on a seventy plus yard pass to tie the game, would you believe me? Nothing is certain in the playoffs and this year in particular, has been a wild one. How do I see this one ending? Whoever has the ball last, will win the game and I believe Tom Brady will throw the game winning touchdown pass and advance to the Super Bowl with a 35-31 win over Baltimore.

San Francisco 49ers (12-4-1) at Atlanta Falcons (14-3)

San Francisco 49ers 28, Atlanta Falcons 20

I won't doubt Colin Kaepernick ever again after last week's performance. Bad news for the Falcons, their best pass rusher, John Abraham will be very limited with an ankle injury. So with no edge rushers to force Kaepernick to step up in the pocket and throw, he could have a field day against this Falcons defense that hasn't been great at stopping the run. I think Kaepernick makes enough plays to help San Francisco sneak out the Georgia Dome with a 28-20 win and roll into New Orleans.