Both NFL Championship games are likely to be played in the rain so I’m guessing the passing game will be adversely affected. That should hurt the Parkers and Aaron Rodgers and the Colts and Andrew Luck. I’m picking the Seahawks (-7 1/2 points) and the Patiots (-6 points). Who do you think will win?
I agree. Luck may do better in the rain statistically than Brady (a little) but the horrible weather in New England tonight should help the Patriots. I still think the Seahawks have looked better than any other team in the last month.
We should be in the hotel by mid-afternoon in time for the game. We’ll be watching the Super Bowl from warm, sunny (I hope – there is rain coming this week) Florida.
Jeff, the teams with the better running games today will have a great advantage in the rain. Have fun in Florida!
I don’t follow sports at all, George, but my New England sensibilities have me rooting for the Patriots.
Jerry, your instincts are sound.
I agree: Seahawks and Patriots; and I’m guessing both winning teams will beat the spread.
Deb, the rain will complicate things. I’m looking for a few turnovers to really skew the games.
I’m not sure that rain affects pro football as much these days as it did a decade or two ago, and these teams should be able to handle it. I agree the running game will be important, as much for clock management as anything. If the Seahawks can play as well this week as last, they will win. The other game will probably be a Patriots win, I don’t think Indy is a complete enough team year, especially pass rush, in spite of some stats.
It rained here hard last night, and is expected to continue, if less hard, today and it’s quite windy. Same conditions appear to hold in Seattle. The open stadium allows swirling winds, so that may be what affects passing and kicking (a Seahawks weakness).
Rick, I totally agree with your analysis. Yesterday, we woke up to -3 degrees. This morning: 40 degrees! The temps will slide during the day and we’ll be in the 20s tonight. Yo-yo weather.
…and then there are the 5 turnovers, the lousy O-line blocking, the defense blowing up. Groan. 16-0 GB at half, I can hardly bear to watch. I haven’t seen Seattle look this bad since Pete Carroll took over. I don’t understand.
Rick, the turnovers are killing the Seahawks!
What’s up with Seattle? They look like crap in the first half. Keep pouring it on Packers.
Randy, the Packers have gone to sleep in the Second Half. They need more points!
I switched it off at the two minute warning before the half. There’s only so much a man can take. The Hawks look like crap.
Bob, Russell Wilson’s four interceptions have been devastating!
Boy, was I wrong. Not only will Seattle not be the spread, they’re not even going to win the game!
Let’s see how Patriots-Colts goes.
Oooops! I may have spoken too soon.
Deb, I thought Green Bay was on their way to the Super Bowl. Oops, indeed.
You sure did, Deb. I take personal credit for the Seahawk win. If I hadn’t turned off the TV and not watched the second half they would have been doomed. It was a huge sacrifice, but I was willing to do it for the team. Thank you one and all.
And to everyone who predicted a Green Bay win, neener-neener!
Bob, I salute your sacrifice for the Seahawk win. Impressive comeback!
Incredible. I doubt there’s been a playoff game, let alone a Conference Championship game, like that one before. We watched it all, as difficult as that was at times. They must play better in two weeks. I haven’t heard a medical report on Sherman yet, I hope he’s okay.
Rick, Sherman really looked like he was in pain. The Seahawks came back under difficult circumstances. They deserve a lot of respect for not giving up.
Because the ice storm made them close all the bridges between Staten Island and New Jersey on Sunday morning we weren’t able to leave until noon and had heavy rain most of the way to the bottom of New Jersey. But, traffic was very light, there was no ice and no accidents and we made it to Bethesda without a problem. And the good part was, we missed seeing Seattle go down 16-0! Still, until the last five minutes it looked hopeless. What a finish!
Indy looked totally overmatched.