Last week, 1-3, playoff record, 5-3
It’s easier than one might think to go from champ to chump when it comes to picking winners in the NFL playoffs. After all, I was a perfect 4-0 after the first week and I was thinking of possibly renaming my weekly “Pink’s NFL Picks” to something more profound, like “Pink the Perfect Playoff Prognosticator.” Needless to say, following my record of 1-3 for the second week’s games, I gave up on that idea rather quickly.
I still can’t get over a couple of my losses last week. In the first game, with less than a minute left in the game, the Broncos did the unthinkable. They let a Raven receiver get behind the defense and score the winning touchdown.
It was one of the biggest defensive blunders in the history of the playoffs. Then, in the second game, the Seahawks came roaring back with 21 unanswered points in the fourth period to take the lead, only to see the Falcons get into position with under a minute to go and kick the winning field goal. Those two losses were tough to take; but, enough said about last week.
Now we move on to the two Conference finals with the winners moving on to play for the league championship in the Super Bowl.
Who will it be? Can the ‘49ers and the Ravens win on the road? The popular opinion is yes and no. San Francisco may very well be the best team left in the playoffs and are favored to win in Atlanta. The Ravens, however, are clear underdogs to the New England Patriots in Foxboro. I pretty much agree with both of those scenarios but stranger things have happened than an upset in the Conference Championships. With that said, this is how I see this week’s semi-final games.
Good luck with your picks and don’t forget to start your plans for the Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 20th
San Francisco at Atlanta
The Falcons put to rest their inability to win a playoff game, but just barely. QB Matt Ryan is a gamer during the regular season, but he has yet to impress anyone with his performances in the playoffs. That will have to change if the Falcons expect to beat the Niners.
Atlanta’s defense was impressive for three quarters against the Seahawks but could not stop rookie QB Russell Wilson in the 4th period. That will not be good enough against the rough and tumble 49ers.
First, they too have a rookie QB who is turning heads with both his passing and running exploits. Colin Kaepernick has been nothing short of sensational since being inserted into the starting lineup. Combined with the running of Frank Gore, the Niners will present a multitude of problems for the Atlanta defense.
Can Atlanta win this game? Yes, they can, but defense and the ability to run the ball are key to winning big games and that’s why I like the ‘49ers to move on to the Super Bowl following a decisive 33-20 victory.
Baltimore at New England
Neither of these teams set the world on fire with their defense, but both teams are capable of keeping the other team out of the end zone. Raven QB Joe Flacco has been outstanding up to this point, and the Ravens also get plenty of quality offense from RB Ray Rice.
On the other side of the ball, the soon-to-be-retired Ray Lewis has been successful in inspiring the Raven defense to play up a notch. Is the defense good enough to stop the Patriots? It just may be.
The Patriots, on the other hand, are led by QB Tom Brady, have an improved running game that features Stevan Ridley and a solid if not outstanding group of receivers in Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and Aaron Hernandez.
If not for the injury to TE Rob Gronkowski, this group would be labeled super. I know that the Patriots are big favorites in this game, but Joe Flacco has a history of playing big games when matched up against Tom Brady. So, I’m going with the shocker in this one, Ravens win 34-31 and move on to the Super Bowl.
Classic styles, bold colors, and creative concerts make up the “Imaginary Concerts” line at Peggy Mercury.Provided
Shirts from Peggy Mercury’s first fashion line, “Imaginary Concerts,” hang on display.Provided
