The NFL’s version of the “Final Four’ gets underway Sunday with the NFC and AFC Conference championship games. The two winners will have their tickets punched to Super Bowl 47.
Sunday at 12:00 PM ET at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the NFC South champion Falcons (13-3 SU, 9-6-1 ATS) play host to the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1 SU, 9-7 ATS). The Niners are favored by -5 at Bovada but are mostly -3.5 to -4.5 points elsewhere. The total is holding steady at 49.
In Foxbourough, the Patriots (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS) and Ravens (10-6 SU, 6-9-1 ATS) will determine the second participant in Super Bowl 47. Game is time is 3:30 PM ET at Gillette Stadium where New England is a -9.5 point favorite with the total at 51.
Spotty Record
The Falcons finished with the best record in the NFC at 13-3 and disposed of one of the hottest teams in the NFL last week. But, there are still a lot of question marks with this team. All three of their opponents in the NFC South finished below .500, meaning that six divisional games against below .500 teams. The Falcons went through the last 11 games of their schedule without playing a single team that made the playoffs.
San Francisco is a lot like Seattle, only more experienced.
While Russell Wilson had his way against the Falcons, another read option quarterback Colin Kaepernick was busy dismantling Green Bay’s defense. In last week’s divisional round, Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 45-31 sack of the Pack. He gained a playoff record 181 yards rushing including two long TD runs and also passed for 263 yards and two more touchdowns. Overall the 49ers amassed 579 yards in total offense.
Another Go Round
The Ravens and Patriots meet in a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game. This will be the sixth overall meeting in four years with the last three games decided by a combined seven points
Last week, the Ravens handed the Broncos a bitter 38-35 overtime loss. With the Ravens out of timeouts and only 31 seconds remaining, Joe Flacco threw a 70 yard touchdown pass as Baltimore tied the game at 35. Baltimore would go to win it in OT 38-35.
The Patriots had their NFL best offense hitting on all gears as they rolled to an easy 41-28 win over the Texans. Tom Brady had 344 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Stevan Ridley rushed for 1,263 yards this season giving Brady his best RB since Corey Dillon in 2004.
If you bet on sports, you have got two pretty good options this weekend. The 49ers after last year’s NFC title game loss look ready to take the next step. The Ravens and Ray Lewis might be the sentimental choice in the AFC and could surprise New England.
Do not be surprised if the 2013 Super Bowl is a family favor. The Harbaugh’s are planning on it.