# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/61 "2014-01-17T22:36:21Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Percy Harvin [officially out](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000314505/article/percy-harvin-declared-out-for-seattle-seahawks) for Sunday. Not a problem. Would have been nice to have him, but the Seahawks are ready to roll! ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/62 "2014-01-17T23:00:27Z")
If New England runs the football like they did against the Indianapolis Colts they will wear down Denver’s defense and if the game is close the Patriot’s will be able to come back in the fourth quarter the same way the Chargers did, but New England is good enough to tie any game in the last 2 minutes. Denver by three points in overtime vs New England Remember Denver holds the kicking edge in Denver depending on the wind of course The only reason I pick the Denver Broncos is because of this being Manning’s last AFC championship game and therefore I think he will go on to win the Super Bowl for MVP and retire at 39. I can’t even pick Seattle or the 49ers just too close to call ---
**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, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/63 "2014-01-17T23:10:13Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > If New England runs the football like they did against the Indianapolis Colts they will wear down Denver’s defense and if the game is close the Patriot’s will be able to come back in the fourth quarter the same way the Chargers did, but **New England is good enough to tie any game in the last 2 minutes.** > … Are you saying ANY game, or any game vs the Broncos in Denver? Pats scored 13 points in last 30 seconds to beat the Browns in December… they scored, they scored a TD with 10 seconds left to beat the Saints by 3. The 2013 version of the Patriots may not be the most consistent team, but they certainly are good enough to come back at the end of the game. Brady is pretty good at that. Manning almost as good. ---
**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, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/64 "2014-01-17T23:24:03Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Already mentioned in post #46. > > Omaha! > > Linda! _Checks the defense_ Omaha! Omaha! audible don’t seem to work here. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/65 "2014-01-17T23:32:32Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > In the Lakota Sioux language, it means “Green 18.” So you’re saying that Manning is stealing Andy Dalton’s audibles? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/66 "2014-01-17T23:41:05Z")
> [@Bellhorn](#): > > Are you saying ANY game, or any game vs the Broncos in Denver? > > Pats scored 13 points in last 30 seconds to beat the Browns in December… they scored, they scored a TD with 10 seconds left to beat the Saints by 3. > > The 2013 version of the Patriots may not be the most consistent team, but they certainly are good enough to come back at the end of the game. Brady is pretty good at that. Manning almost as good. In Denver I say New England is good enough to tie, but winning is not going to happen due to this is the Broncos back yard. That’s all I am saying, plus don’t forget the New England choke game with Miami? ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/67 "2014-01-18T00:05:49Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > In Denver I say New England is good enough to tie, but winning is not going to happen due to this is the Broncos back yard. That’s all I am saying, plus don’t forget the New England choke game with Miami? Either of these teams are good enough to win anywhere. And yet, both are flawed and capable of losing anywhere. This is not a match up between two great teams. Their respective defenses are incapable of holding up against either of the opposing QBs. I like the Pats only because Belichick is better at exploiting flaws better than anyone. Definitive statements like “not going to happen” is only asking for trouble. Flacco and the Ravens took out the Broncos last year in Mile High… the Broncos were 9+ point favorites. Patriots said the same thing before the Ravens took them down in Foxboro a week later. So, sh\*t does happen even in one’s own backyard. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/68 "2014-01-18T06:01:50Z")
Yeah, I cannot nor will not predict a definitive win for either team as they are both situated to beat one another given past history with the QB’s, but I do think this game favors Denver. Not so much because they are at home but because NE’s offense is literally crippled by a dearth of talent and Denver’s defense is not terrible. I’m going to go with Manning riding off into the sunset with a 35-31 victory. Denver builds an early lead and withstands a furious comeback at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/69 "2014-01-18T20:08:14Z")
24 hours till kick off for the AFC game between Denver and New England Here’s some news for NFC fans still too close to call for me:[http://blogs.seattletimes.com/take2/2014/01/17/seahawks-49ers-most-of-national-media-picks-seattle-barely/](http://blogs.seattletimes.com/take2/2014/01/17/seahawks-49ers-most-of-national-media-picks-seattle-barely/) > [@](#): > > NFL reporters, analysts and columnists from around the country are predicting the outcome of Sunday’s Seahawks-49ers game. The one thing that comes across again and again is that it will a very close, low-scoring game. > > The majority of experts pick the Seahawks because they’re playing at home – 47 of 67 that I found, 70 percent. The Seattle Times’ reporters and columnists favor Seattle, 3-1. > > But no one seems to think it will be a blowout. Many are choosing Seattle to advance to Super Bowl but not to cover the 3.5-point spread. That means the Seahawks would win by one, two or three points. > > That’s agonizingly close. A field goal, safety or missed extra point could be the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Steely\_Dan\_Fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@Steely\_Dan\_Fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steely_Dan_Fan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/70 "2014-01-19T00:06:56Z")
This: > [@](#): > > making him probably the best to ever play. Does not follow from this: > [@](#): > > If Brady wins the SB, he’ll have the most SB wins ever (tied with Montana and Bradshaw), plus an undefeated regular season, ---
**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 19, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/71 "2014-01-19T17:48:42Z")
Oh, it’s going to be a good day of football today. I might as well make predictions like everybody else. The first game, on the AFC side, is going to be lower scoring than everybody expects. The Broncos will win 27-23. It will be back and forth, but Denver will build an early lead, then match New England score for score. Peyton Manning will yell, “Omaha” before each of three kneeldowns. In the real championship game, the 49ers will beat the Seahawks in a classic just as knockdown dragout as everyonee has predicted, but with a few more points than expected. San Francisco will temper the crowd noise with some early touchdowns, but will lose the lead in the fourth quarter before kicking a field goal late to win by two, 26-24. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/72 "2014-01-19T19:09:01Z")
I’m pulling for Denver, because Manning deserves another trip to the Super Bowl. In the NFC, I’ve got to go with the Seahawks at home. Apparently the league has instructed the officials to [set the tone](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000314924/article/league-asks-refs-to-set-tone-early-in-nfc-title-game?campaign=Twitter_atl)early in the 49ers-Seahawks game. Wonder if that means we might see somebody get ejected this week… ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/73 "2014-01-19T19:35:07Z")
Does anyone have stats on home teams in conference championships, esp. against the spread? It seems to me that home teams, as a whole, underperform in these games, at least in the last decade. It could also be selective memory on my part. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/74 "2014-01-19T19:40:29Z")
Might as well put my 2 cents in. Denver to win 38-3, San Fransisco wins 24-21. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/75 "2014-01-19T19:44:00Z")
Sure, why not? Patriots 30-24 Niners 17-16 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/76 "2014-01-19T19:44:31Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I’m pulling for Denver, because Manning deserves another trip to the Super Bowl. > > . Why “deserves?” Doesn’t Brady deserve another trip to the Super Bowl? [Just trying to understand, I don’t have a favorite between these two teams and would happily watch the Seahawks beat either one in two weeks.] ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/77 "2014-01-19T19:53:02Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Does anyone have stats on home teams in conference championships, esp. against the spread? It seems to me that home teams, as a whole, underperform in these games, at least in the last decade. > > It could also be selective memory on my part. Can’t answer the spread question, but the straight results are easy enough to find. In the [AFC](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afc_championship), the home team is 7-3 over the last ten years. In the [NFC](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFC_Championship), they’re 5-5 and the visitors have won the last 3. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/78 "2014-01-19T20:01:45Z")
Broncos 35-28 Seahawks 20-13 ---
**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 19, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/79 "2014-01-19T20:07:16Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Why “deserves?” Doesn’t Brady deserve another trip to the Super Bowl? > … Absolutely not. (Not the Peyton necessarily does, but Brady has played in enough Super Bowls to fill any player’s bucket list twice over.) ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/678677/80 "2014-01-19T20:21:55Z")
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