2013 NFL Playoffs: Championship Sunday Picks

Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback

(18) throws against the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

One day away from the final step. The “Road to Met Life Stadium” comes to an end tomorrow evening. Championship Sunday is finally almost here. It’s a little bit bittersweet, as this is the final “real” football weekend of the season. Super Bowl weekend is great, but the day of the game is so different from a regular football weekend, with the extended pregame, the late kickoff..etc. So, let’s enjoy it.

We have two games on tap, Denver vs. New England, and Seattle vs. San Francisco. Who is going to make the final step to MetLife Stadium? Here is how I see it:

GAME ONE: NEW ENGLAND AT DENVER: It may be the first game of the day, but it is the one I can’t wait for. Yes, part of it is that I am, and always will be, an AFC fan. But, whenever two legends of the game get together, it’s exciting to me. And when Tom Brady and Peyton Manning get together, that is exactly what you have. Two faces that have defined a generation of quarterbacks will do battle once again.

Frankly, as much as I hate to say it, New England was scary last week. The fact that they could put up over 40 points, without Tom Brady throwing a touchdown, is frightening. LeGarrette Blount has never looked that good. If he performs that well again, the Broncos don’t stand a chance.

I don’t see Blount playing that well. Ultimately, I see this game coming down to the marquee matchup, Brady vs. Manning. And I believe that Manning will be taking a trip to New York following this one. So I am taking the Broncos.

GAME TWO: SAN FRANCISCO AT SEATTLE: Now this one is going to be interesting. These are two teams that are almost identical. Both of them play great defense, both of them have great running games in Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch. Both have quarterbacks that can use their legs in Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.

How to decide this one? Well, you know how I feel about this type of quarterback. A quarterback that runs a lot is a gimmick, the game is still won from the pocket, making throws. With that being said, the team that is going to win is the team that has the better quarterback when he is called upon to make throws from the pocket.

Who is that? It’s Russell Wilson, and that is why I am taking the Seahawks.

That’s how I see it. What do you think?