By Zach Waltz
Sports Assignment Editor
The National Football League playoffs are proving to be the most entertaining in recent years.
With myriad intense play-in games, the playoffs seemed to start a week early this season. Next, the wildcard round provided matchups like the Chiefs against the Colts and the 49ers against the Packers. Last week, four teams made another step toward the Super Bowl by winning their divisional round games, knocking out the Panthers, Saints, Colts and Chargers.
With the conference championships this weekend, it looks like no matter what way the chips fall, Super Bowl XLVIII will be a quality matchup.
The NFC Championship between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers features two teams with high-powered offenses and suffocating defenses. Taking place in Seattle on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., the Seahawks have a distinct advantage because CenturyLink Field is well known for its deafening crowds.
The two teams have become rivals over the past few seasons with the arrival of break-out quarterbacks Russell Wilson in Seattle and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. Both teams feature a strong running attack with Marshawn Lynch for Seattle and Frank Gore for San Francisco.
They met twice this year in the regular season, splitting the matchups. Seattle’s defense, lined with superstars like safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, has been the stingiest defense in the league this year, averaging 14.47 points per game and only allowing 179.97 passing yards per game. The 49ers’ defense, led by stud linebackers Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman, finished third in the league in points per game, allowing only 16.78.
The key to the game for the Seahawks will be picking apart San Francisco’s tough defense with a good combination of passing and rushing plays. The 49ers, on the other hand, will look to slow down Russell Wilson and his offense while establishing a steady rushing game with Gore to keep Wilson off the field.
I predict the Seahawks will be victorious in this matchup. Their home field advantage and excellent offensive execution this season have carried them this far, and it will take them to the promised land. They have worked very hard the past couple of seasons to build this team into a Super Bowl contender, and I think this year is the year they make it to the big game
The AFC Championship is headlined by yet another playoff matchup between two legendary quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The game will take place on Sunday in Denver at Sports Authority Field at 3 p.m.
The last time these two teams met in week 12, the Patriots won in overtime. Brady will be working with his usual hodge-podge of receivers and backs as he has been the entire season, making him a leader in the MVP voting. On the other hand, Manning has put together one of the best seasons for a quarterback in NFL history, throwing more than 10 touchdowns to four receivers and setting multiple throwing records. In all, Manning finished the regular season with 55 touchdowns and more than 5,500 passing yards.
Denver’s defense has been lacking all year, depending on the offense to put up big numbers. Another factor in the game is the ACL injury to Denver cornerback Chris Harris, the team’s best at that position, which will keep him out for the game. Harris is a big loss for the Broncos, as their secondary has been a particular weakness for them. Despite the hole in Denver’s secondary, the key to the game for the Pats will be maintaining a consistent running attack to compliment Brady’s passing game.
By establishing a run game, the Patriots will be able to keep the Broncos already weak defense on its heels. In their last game against New England, the Broncos had four turnovers, including three fumbles and an interception. Because of this, Denver’s key to the game will be to take better care of the ball.
I think Denver’s offense will just be too much for New England’s defense. In a legendary season like this year, Manning won’t take anything less than a championship to complete this season.
The Super Bowl is set to take place in New York at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2.
No matter what possible Super Bowl matchup comes into fruition, these playoffs have been the most entertaining in recent memory, and this year’s Super Bowl will be the perfect culmination. All four teams have been among the most exciting to watch all season. Basically as a football fan, you just can’t go wrong no matter who wins or loses.
Zach Waltz is the sports assignment editor of the
Bona Venture. His email is waltzzd12@bonaventure.edu.
