NFL Championship Round Predictions

Last weekend during the divisional round I went 2-2 on my predictions, and I was lucky to get that given the last second circus-like victory of Vikings over the Saints. I am now 4-4 for the NFL playoffs heading into today's championship round.

Television ratings were down again in the divisional round, something that can't in good faith be placed at the doorstep of player anthem protests since they have disappeared. But the NFL championship games are purported to be immune to ratings drops. The league can bank on between 45-50 million viewers. If ratings fall below this number commissioner Roger Goodell likely will not be able to collect his full $200 million salary; his recent contract extension was filled with language pegging his compensation to a variety of financial targets.

The line out of Las Vegas is Patriots by a touchdown; Minnesota by a field goal.

New England at New England is a tough draw for the young Jaguars. My analysis of this game boils down to this: If Ben Roethlisberger can put up 42 points on the vaunted Jacksonville defense, what do you think Tom Brady is going to do?

There is a chance that Sacksonville will have a better day against New England's O-line than they had in Pittsburgh, knocking Brady around. That's how you beat the Patriots. Hit Brady. Bring pressure up the middle.

I would love to see Jacksonville win this game. But I think it is an unreasonable expectation. Take the Patriots.

Minnesota at Philadelphia is a toss-up. Who could have foreseen that two Rams castoffs would be facing off at QB in the NFC Championship? I'm going with the Eagles because the Vikings defense was completely shredded in the second half of the game against the Saints. Michael Thomas was always open. Drew Brees connected at will. The Saints should have won that game. Philadelphia's defense never broke down against the Falcons.

Now you will say that Nick Foles is no Drew Brees. You are right; he isn't. But Foles beat Atlanta with a blistering second half running the RPO (run-pass option). Philadelphia has a deeper bench of running backs and receivers. Plus, the Eagles looked really loose at home, easily shrugging off first-half turnovers. Pick the Eagles.