The dream has ended. Hopes of three consecutive Seattle Seahawk Super Bowls ended last Sunday when the Carolina Fig Newtons defeated my beloved Seahawks. Really, what more could any football fan want than two straight weeks of non-stop Marshawn Lynch coverage without Marshawn actually saying anything? It’s a tragedy for every person on the planet. Even Bangladeshis are stricken with grief.

My heartache pales in comparison to Packers fans. Consecutive Hail Mary passes moved Green Bay from their own end-zone into Arizona’s for possibly the most improbable game tying score in the history of football. All of Wisconsin celebrated in unison as their God-King Aaron Rodgers grasped immortality. Then they lost. Quickly… That has to hurt the old feelers.

If you’re one of those “NFL is so awesome because of parity” guys; Yeah, not so much. Brady vs. Manning again in the AFC Championship game. Is it Groundhogs Day?

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ Denver Broncos +3

It couldn’t play out any other way for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. His longtime nemesis, Tom Brady, will finally end Manning. For you video game fans, this is like the original Mortal Kombat and Brady is about to perform his finishing move on a wobbly Manning. Flawless victory! Brady is still at the height of his powers. Tom Terrific threw for 302 yards and two scores while dispatching a Chiefs team last weekend that had won 11 consecutive games. Manning was able to finish all four quarters without needing to take a pee break, which is considered a major accomplishment for the veteran passer. It’s too bad Denver didn’t have this year’s defense the last few seasons. The Broncos probably would have won a Super Bowl. Brady wins 24-10

Arizona Cardinals @
CAROLINA PANTHERS -3

I’m picking with my heart here. I don’t want to see the rival Desert Bats reach the Super Bowl. Although, if Arizona did reach the Super Bowl, it would mark four consecutive seasons a team from the NFC West reached the big game. Watch out for the Los Angeles Rams next year! Carolina jumped out to a shocking 31-0 lead last week before needing to recover an onside kick to seal a 31-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Cam Newton was less than stellar as expected, but when you’re 15-1 on the year, you find ways to win. Last week it was a solid rushing attack and a pair of first half interceptions which gave the Panthers the cushion they needed. I don’t know what it will be this week, but this Panthers team is starting to take on that “team of destiny” feel to it. Panthers win 27-24