NFC
Arizona Cardinals (13-3) @ Carolina Panthers (15-1) – Sunday Jan. 24 @ 5:40 p.m.
Tyler’s Pick: Carolina Panthers
Why: Carolina has been dominant on both sides of the ball this year. Arizona is coming off of a shaky victory over Green Bay, and quarterback Carson Palmer was abysmal. Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald carried Arizona’s offense against Green Bay but Carolina’s all-world cornerback Josh Norman should be able to limit his impact. Arizona’s defense was stingy against the Packers but that was a team missing its top 4 receivers. Cam Newton is the MVP front-runner and has the ability to evade Arizona’s deadly pass rush. No one on Arizona can match up well with Carolina tight end Greg Olsen, and Ted Ginn has been on fire the last few weeks. Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart has had a great season thus far, and he should be able to generate yardage even against Arizona’s tough front seven after demolishing the renowned Seattle defense.
Charlie’s Pick: Carolina Panthers
Why: The Panther’s defense is one of the best defenses in the league and should be able to shut down a Cardinal’s passing attack that looked very poor against the Packers. Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart has been better than average all year and should be able to provide Carolina with a constant ground game. Combine that with a passing attack led by MVP-frontrunner Cam Newton, and the Panthers are one of the hardest offenses to slow, even by a stingy Arizona front seven. Most of Arizona’s effectiveness comes from a dominant pass rush, but Cam Newton is likely the best quarterback in the NFL to handle the rush.
AFC
New England Patriots (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (12-4) – Sunday Jan. 24 @ 2:05 p.m.
Tyler’s Pick: New England Patriots
Why: There’s a lot of bad blood coming into this matchup, and both teams are very well-matched. Denver’s defense is elite, but their offense is extremely limited by Peyton Manning’s inability to throw the ball beyond 30 or so yards. CJ Anderson gouged New England’s defense last time they matched up, but the Patriots have done a great job limiting opponents on the ground since that game. Last time these teams faced off, New England was hobbled on offense, with Julian Edelman missing the game, and Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola leaving with injuries midway through the game. All 3 are back and looked good against Kansas City, a team with a defense that’s almost as good as Denver. The Patriots are a tough team to beat in the playoffs and they’re going to be out for blood after Denver ended their undefeated season. Unless Manning suddenly turns back the clock 2 or 3 years, New England should be able to make it to their 2nd straight Super Bowl.
Charlie’s Pick: New England Patriots
Why: The New England Patriots will make it to a second-straight super bowl, after they dismiss a Denver Broncos team that struggled to take out a severely-injured Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver is also in the midst of it’s own injury woes, with quarterback Peyton Manning not at 100 percent. On the other hand, the Patriot’s receivers have all returned and looked very good against Kansas City. In their previous matchup, C.J. Anderson had the best game of his season and the Patriots had the worst rushing defensive performance of their season. Since then, the Patriots Rushing defense has been solid. Expect the Patriots to win this one unless the Peyton Manning of old somehow makes a miraculous second coming.