2013 NFC/AFC Championship Picks Against the Spread

Last week my Divisional Round picks went 2-2 ATS and my record in the playoff this season is 5-3 ATS. I hit on the Patriots and Seahawks, but missed on the Broncos and Packers. We start with the NFC Championship game at 3:00 PM EST and the AFC Championship game to follow at 6:30 PM EST. I’m hoping to watch a San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl come February 3rd.

San Francisco 49ers (-4) over ATLANTA FALCONS

After the 49ers kicked the Packers ass last week, I must admit that they are the real deal and feel confident in picking them to head to the Super Bowl to face the AFC Champion. The Falcons looked good last week, but they nearly blew a 20-0 lead by getting too conservative with their play calling and nursing a lead. I expect the 49ers defense to stymie the Falcons offense while Kaepernick plays like a stud once again. Based on the way these teams played last week, it’s clear that the 49ers are a far superior football team. I just hope that the long road trip to the east coast doesn’t mess with their groove.

PICK: 49ers -4 (Confidence: 8/10)

PREDICTION: 49ers 31 – Falcons 20

Baltimore Ravens (+8) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Ravens know how to play the Patriots.  I’ll gladly take the 8 points. I think there’s a good chance of the Ravens winning outright, but I’m just being overly optimistic since I love to hate on the Patriots and want to see the man Ray Lewis play in another Super Bowl to top off an amazing career. The Ravens lost the AFC Championship to the Patriots last year 23-20 in a heartbreaking loss where a touchdown pass was dropped and a field goal was missed. The Ravens were 7-point underdogs in that game. Earlier this season, the Ravens looked to get some revenge against the Patriots, which they did by winning 31-30 as a 2.5 point dog. Two straight games where the outcome was decided by a field goal or less. I’m expecting another razor-tight game despite the Patriots looking like a machine. The Broncos were supposed to be another machine and the Ravens did a fine job containing the Broncos offense. The Ravens hung in there  on the road just fine and that’s even after giving up 14 points on special teams. In what should be a tight game, I’ll take the Ravens +8.

PICK: Ravens +8 (Confidence: 8/10)

PREDICTION: Ravens 27 – Patriots 24