CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
New York Giants (9-7) at San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
Estimated Spread: 49ers by 5
No team has been able to knock the 49ers off their game. They have only turned the ball over 10 times and have forced 38. No team forced more than one turnover against the 49ers all season. The Giants could be the team to do that. In their first meeting, they accounted for one of Alex Smith's five INTs this season. That game also saw the 3rd quarter end with the score 12-6 San Francisco, with the two teams combining to muster just 6 field goals between them. There was a bit of a flurry after that, and San Fran ended up winning 27-20. The Giants failed to get to Smith very much in that game, managing just 2 sacks and only hitting Smith 4 times. They stopped the 49ers running game, but that was without Frank Gore, who left after with a knee injury after rushing 6 times for 0 yards. Eli ended up throwing 2 costly interceptions to lose a game the Giants definitely could have won. I see this one being a knockdown, drag out brawl with a bunch of short, punishing runs from Brandon Jacobs and Frank Gore. I see Eli having a better game than he had last game. I see Alex Smith finally realizing he's Alex Smith. I see Eli hitting Nicks in the back of the end zone.
*Upset Special*
Giants win 20-16
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) at New England Patriots (13-3)
Estimated Spread: Patriots by 4
The Giants prevailing the previous night will spare us one day of hearing about The Harbaugh Bowl. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, because the Ravens won't win this game. They can't win on the road, and even if they could, Joe Flacco can't take advantage of this Patriots D. The Ravens D is good, but no team can contain the Pats for 60 entire minutes. The Ravens will come close, but ultimately Flacco will turn the ball over deep in Ravens territory and screw his team.
Patriots win 34-23
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