# NFL Conference Championships **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 13, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677 "2014-01-13T17:35:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/41 "2014-01-15T20:17:04Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > In past meetings I think Gore has out-rushed Lynch. Don’t have time to check the stats, but that’s what I recall. Which is why I said earlier the smart plan is to stop Gore and Kappy on the ground and make them beat you in the air. If they don’t stop Gore it’ll be a long day. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/42 "2014-01-15T21:45:40Z")
A lot of people seem to think that Wilson’s last outing was bad. Did anyone actually watch the game? Crazy wind and rain and he made no major mistakes by playing smart in those conditions and strong Saint’s defensive pressure. He had several off target passes, but a number of big ones that were well thrown but dropped. He played better than the “elite” Brees, and the exhalted Broncos scored just one more point against the Charger’s 23rd ranked defense. He’s had better stats than the auto-osculating Kaepernik has in their last three meetings. And they won. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/43 "2014-01-15T22:14:09Z")
The 49ers have multiple weapons in the passing game, while the Seahawks are thin there, even if Harvin plays. I have confidence in the Niners’ ability to keep balanced on offense. The big thing is getting 7 points and not 3 when they get into the Red Zone. If anything goes wrong early that sets off the crowd, it could get rough, but I seriously doubt either teams’s chances of getting a really big lead at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/44 "2014-01-15T22:43:12Z")
I bet the Seahawks feel good that the 49ers have had a total of five field goals and one touchdown against them in two games this year. Not great red zone production. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/45 "2014-01-16T17:20:30Z")
Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/46 "2014-01-16T17:26:11Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. Not sure, but 5 businesses in Omaha Nebraska are donating $500 to the Manning Foundation for each “Omaha!” call he makes in the AFC Championship game. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/47 "2014-01-16T21:29:01Z")
The Niners have been my second-favorite team since 1970 so I’m predicting they will beat Seattle 24-23. Denver will smoke New England 45-28 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/48 "2014-01-17T02:01:24Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Besides the fact that New England already beat the Broncos in week 12? This isn’t Week 12. They played well that week, all the more reason to think Denver will be well prepared. The Broncos are the superior team and have to be considered an enormous favourite. The Broncos line is apparently up to 5 or 6, and I’d take the Broncos and give six in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/49 "2014-01-17T02:17:31Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. He was asked this [in a press conference](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/peyton-manning-omaha-means_n_4604819.html?utm_hp_ref=sports) today. Basically means its a certain running play. Or a pass. Or something to do with the wind. Or the color of the jerseys they’re wearing. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/50 "2014-01-17T02:30:43Z")
One thing that could benefit the Broncos in a big way is that the Pats are depleted on the defensive line, and won’t have the luxury of rotating waves of linemen in and out. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/51 "2014-01-17T05:23:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. Here is Manning’s official explanation of what it means. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cFl7DHpab24?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/52 "2014-01-17T05:30:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. In the Lakota Sioux language, it means “Green 18.” ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/53 "2014-01-17T17:46:37Z")
Both NE/Den defenses - especially the secondaries - are depleted. Although NE will certainly try to keep the ball on the ground like they did last week, and keep Manning off the field. The only way to limit his points is to limit the number of times he has the ball. If the NE O-line plays as well as they have since Thanksgiving, the Pats will stay in it. I think that will happen. Plus Belicheck has a way of getting into Manning’s head. Denver deserves to be the favorite - they are the better team on paper and are at home, but I expect a close game. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/54 "2014-01-17T18:06:43Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > and keep Manning off the field. The only way to limit his points is to limit the number of times he has the ball. People often say this about Manning, but I’m not sure it’s always a good strategy. If you’re a big underdog, then reducing the number of possessions in a game can increase the variance and give you a better chance to win. But otherwise, you should just design your offensive game plan to improve your chances of scoring, rather than accepting smaller chances of scoring in exchange for reducing the number of possessions in the game. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/55 "2014-01-17T19:45:21Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Patriots 38, Broncos 31 > [@RickJay](#): > > Denver 45, New England 35 > [@echo7tango](#): > > Patriots 31 - Broncos 30 > [@picker](#): > > DEN over NE, 35-31 > [@Bellhorn](#): > > Patriots: 41 > Denver: 38 > [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > A fired-up Broncos wins this one at home. Bailey picks Brady like he’s Romo, 38-28. > [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](#): > > Denver will smoke New England 45-28 I know the talking heads have commented on this ad nauseum all season but look at the expected score totals for New England. An expectant 4-5 TDs with the skill players that they have? The Broncos aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut but still, we shouldn’t take Brady for granted. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Any official word on what Peyton Manning’s call of “Omaha” means? Seemed like he audibled that at least half the time against the Chargers. Omaha, from what I’ve heard from various “insider” pundits and my own paltry experiences with organized football, Omaha could mean an “over” call because of the “O”, which just mirrors the play to the other side. However, with the frequency that Peyton calls it, it’s probably just a dummy call or a flag call signaling that there is an audible, but the play that’s being audible-d to will be referenced by a follow up call. Football play calls aren’t inherently hard. The key, as with all codes, is having the codex. They could be organized by starting letter (Sam and Will backers being Strong and Weak), by number (800, 801, and 802 Eagle has option routes for the x, y, and z receivers respectively), Color (Red plays have the TE as the primary receiver, Blue goes to the slot, Gold goes deep) and of course - a combination of whatever established code you have (Red 200 is a play-action to the left, looking for the tight end, Gold 301 is a 3 step drop quick slant to the Z receiver with an Omaha call flips it to a quick slant to the X receiver)… ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/56 "2014-01-17T20:56:10Z")
[Omaha](http://www.omaha.com/article/20140116/NEWS/140119042/1685#kelly-omaha-calls-could-add-up-for-peyton-manning) > [@](#): > > Responding to Peyton Manning’s frequent “Omaha! Omaha!” calls before the ball is snapped, five Omaha corporations say they will collectively donate $500 to his Peyback Foundation for every time he says “Omaha” during Sunday’s nationally televised playoff game. ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/57 "2014-01-17T21:17:34Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > I know the talking heads have commented on this ad nauseum all season but look at the expected score totals for New England. An expectant 4-5 TDs with the skill players that they have? The Broncos aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut but still, we shouldn’t take Brady for granted. > > … Again, in Week 12 vs the Broncos, the Patriots put up 28 points in the first 17 minutes of the 2nd half. Gronkowski is gone from the team, but the Patriots havew averaged 33 points per game since week 12. Good, dry weather predicted against an injury-ridden defense and I do expect Brady to excel. Manning as well. And knowing that Manning will be difficult to stop, I’m also expecting that the Patriots will be pretty aggressive. You don’t sit on a lead vs Manning. And, in week 12, Manning learned you don’t sit on a lead vs NE. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/58 "2014-01-17T21:58:45Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > [Omaha](http://www.omaha.com/article/20140116/NEWS/140119042/1685#kelly-omaha-calls-could-add-up-for-peyton-manning) Already mentioned in post #46. Omaha! Linda! ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/59 "2014-01-17T22:14:44Z")
These are some amazing matchups. If Brady wins the SB, he’ll have the most SB wins ever (tied with Montana and Bradshaw), plus an undefeated regular season, making him probably the best to ever play. If Manning wins, he’ll suddenly have a winning record in the playoffs and in the SB (currently neither are above .500) to go along with 2 SB rings and regular season dominance. If the 49ers win, they’ll have the most SB wins of any team (tied with the Steelers). And yet, I still think the Seahawks should be considered the favorite to win it all. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/60 "2014-01-17T22:30:50Z")
Percy Harvin [officially out](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000314505/article/percy-harvin-declared-out-for-seattle-seahawks) for Sunday. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677.md?page=4)