Who’s going to the Super Bowl?

Last week, 3-1; for the playoffs, 5-3.I can live with the 3-1 record for this past week, but I must admit that taking the Broncos over the Colts was a bit shaky. I was fully aware of the drop off in play of Peyton Manning and the improved play of Andrew Luck, but I was a victim of pulling for the veteran to make one more run in the playoffs. Also, if by chance you happened to have wagered a couple of ducats based on my point predictions, you would have broken even.Now we’re off to the conference championships, which will decide who goes to the Super Bowl. Unlike last year when I thought the game between the Niners and the Seahawks matched the two best teams in the league, this year there is a great chance of the two teams that I think are the best to end up battling for the NFL’s biggest prize. Which teams do you think they are? You’ll have to read more to find out.Well, lets get right to it, and I’ll try to keep it short. Here’s how I see this week’s action, and as always, good luck with your picks.Sunday, Jan. 18Green Bay at SeattleI think this is the matchup everyone wants to see — the Packers and their potent offense against the dominating defense of the Seahawks. This game will showcase two of the best QBs in the league, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Most fans would agree that Rodgers is at this point regarded as the best QB in the game. However, Wilson, who may not be as prolific a passer as Rodgers, brings to the table the uncanny ability to run the ball if needed. This is not to say that Rodgers can’t do likewise, but he’s nursing a nagging calf injury and that may just well be a difference-maker in this game. Both of these teams have bruising runners: the Packers’ Eddie Lacey and the Seahawks’ Marshon Lynch. They’re both capable of making big plays, but Lynch is truly one of the best big-game runners in recent memory.It’s the other side of the line, however, that will decide this game, and that’s where the Seahawks have an advantage. Richard Hamilton and company lead what must be considered the best defense in the league and, while the Packers defense is solid, it is not on par with Seattle. In the end, big plays will decide this game for the Seahawks, and they may very well come from the defense. Rodgers will keep the Packers close, but in the end people might just be talking about the play of Russell Wilson. I like the Seahawks in this game by a score of 24-20, and if I had to choose I’d take the under.Indianapolis at New EnglandFirst off the QBs in this game are every bit as good as the ones in the first game. The “Young Gun,” Andrew Luck, vs. the perennial All-Pro, Tom Brady. This is a game where you could easily see 100 pass plays between the two teams.Both teams have more than capable receivers. The Colts rely on Dan Herron coming out of the backfield and wide-outs T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen and Hakeem Nicks. The Patriots will rely heavily on All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. Both teams are very capable throwing the ball, but at least on paper the Colts have enjoyed more success running the ball thus far into the playoffs. How much that will matter remains to be seen.Defensively, the Colts have been more consistent than the Pats, yet the memory of the Pats blowing out the Colts earlier in the year lingers to some degree in the Colts’ mindset as they prepare for this rematch. However, at this stage of the season you can usually throw out those earlier season stats because at this point it’s a matter of who has the momentum going into the game.What’s ironic is that both teams are on a roll, but for some unknown reason I feel as if the Colts are on a mission centered on their head coach Chuck Pagano. Having battled back from a bout with leukemia, his team would like nothing more than to win a championship for him and that gives the Colts a real chance to pull off an upset. I’d love to see it happen, but in the end Brady and company will find a way to score late and head to the Super Bowl following a 33-27 victory. I would, however, take the points.