WCG Picks the NFL Playoffs: Conference Championships

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 19, 2012 11:00 AM CST in Events

This little exercise in playoff predictions has taught me one thing; We might have the smartest link dump guy in all of SB Nation. Pete Dixon, who you'll find every morning dumping the finest Chicago Bears themed links in The Bears Den, is sitting at a cool 7-1 after 2 rounds of playoff action. Hit the jump to see how we're picking this Sunday's games.

Baltimore Ravens (13-4) @ New England Patriots (14-3) Sunday 2:00pm Central
This game will feature the offensive firepower of the Pats against the defensive tenacity of the Ravens. Strength vs. strength. But New England is too efficient in the passing game to be shut down. Tom Brady will be smart with the ball and work what ever's open. The key to the game will be if the Raven offense can score, and with the New England defense not being what it's been, Baltimore should be able to hang. But not hang enough, N.E. 31 Ravens 24.

New York Giants (11-7) @ San Francisco 49ers (15-3) Sunday 5:30pm Central
Did anyone except Pete expect this NFC Title game? He was the only one of us that picked San Fran, and only 1 of 4 of us went with N.Y. over the Packers. I've never been so happy to be wrong about a prediction. This is a rematch of the week 10, 27 to 20 49er win, but this is a different Giants team that will head to San Fran for the right to go to Indy. The N.Y. pass rush makes up for their less than stellar secondary, so if the Niners can slow down the Giant front four I think they'll find a way to win. The Giants won't be able to run the ball, and with Eli Manning playing so well right now that's probably a good thing. A wise man once said, never bet against a Manning on a roll... This game will come down to the wire, and could go either way, but my pick is the 49ers by a score of 24-21.

WCG EXPERT	Giants at 49ers	Ravens at Patriots	Record
Lester			(4-4)
Dane			(5-3)
Kev			(3-5)
Steven S.			(5-3)
TJ			(4-4)
Sam			(3-5)
Pete			(7-1)
Steve R.			(5-3)
David			(5-3)
Ashley			(3-5)

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NY and NE, for me.

by transylvanian bear on Jan 19, 2012 11:13 AM CST reply actions

How'd Ashley pick the games this week?

by Doshi on Jan 19, 2012 11:59 AM CST reply actions

She went scientific this week:

“I pick 49ers and Ravens… why? I don’t know … that’s just who I want! Haha”

I'm a ninja.

by Dane Noble on Jan 19, 2012 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

I might not have been too exciting with my picks this week...

… but just wait ’til the Superbowl picks! :]

P.S. I feel special that you cared how I chose. :]

"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton

Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com - Formally known as HoneyBear

by Ashley Czuba on Jan 20, 2012 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

Whoever Cloudy future bets on

or at least that’s who I’ll be cheering for. Cuz I don’t like any of these remaining teams too much, and I don’t hate any of them too much either.

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Jan 19, 2012 1:45 PM CST reply actions

rooting for BAL

I wouldnt mind see either team in the nfc make it to the big show

by TR MacReady on Jan 19, 2012 5:59 PM CST reply actions

This is tough

AFC: Baltimore hasnt been great on the road, but theyve won the big road games (and lost the "easy: ones). Brady is a well-oiled machine at home.
NFC: Giants-49ers is pretty even. I’d pick Eli because of experience…but Alex Smith looked like Joe Cool against the Saints…and the 49ers are home
Most interesting match-up?
SF-NE Juggernaut offense vs. Staunch defense, nd SF can put up points too
NY-NE is similar…
SF-BAL would be a defensive struggle like the Thurs nite game…
NYG-BAL would be weird.

I’ll just take the no. 1’s…

by BOBdaBEAR on Jan 19, 2012 10:52 PM CST reply actions

Pats fan here

I know a lot of my friends (Bear fans) in Chicago supporting the Patriots. Thank you! I am happy that Green Bay is out! Hope to see you again!

Would you guys prefer a Superbaugh or Supervenge?

NYG vs NE!
At least for me hahah!

by SparzWizard on Jan 20, 2012 12:58 AM CST reply actions

if it comes down to 49er’s against NE Tom Brady could just dissmantle them
if it comes down to NY against Ravens then i am afraid Manning would dissmantle them
why could it not have been NY against 9er’s this would have made a better match-up
last week both NFC games would have made a superbowl calibre on the edge of your seat game
out of all the games either 1 of the NFC teams against a Brady led Patriots team

by stepeo on Jan 20, 2012 5:20 AM CST reply actions