Well, it's here, the final four teams, arguably the best four teams in the NFL. Any way you slice it, Super Bowl 48 is going to be one heck of a game. On one hand you have the greatest modern day sports rival in Tom Brady v. Peyton Manning. On the other hand you have the future of the NFL, the HYBRID quarterback matchup of Colin Kaepernick v. Russell Wilson. These games will all derive from the four quarterbacks and how the play. New School or Old School these two games are a football fan's wet dream.
AFC: (1) Peyton Manning's Dever Broncos vs. (2) Tom Brady's New England Patriots
Some are calling this the "Legacy Bowl" as it may be the final time that Manning goes against Brady. Make no mistake this is Peyton's year. Records broken, first seed and home advantage, he's played like an MVP all year and will probably win the award for a 5th time, but a loss against Brady would be tragic. He's (4-10) lifetime against him. On the other side of the field Tom Brady also deserves the MVP nod for what he has had to work with all year. The losses on offense were substantial and the defense is no Seahawks-like defense in which they can hold opponents to just 14 points. Some way Brady and Bill Belichick find a way to beat Manning again and again but this time there's one factor they've not dealt with. ALTITUDE.
3 Key Matchups:
1. Wes Welker vs. Who ever is covering him: The Patriots did a good job on shutting Welker down when these two teams met earlier. Welker will be looked on for all red-zone targets so who ever is covering him will have to be able to keep up with the shifty wide receiver.
2. Aqib Talib vs. Demaryius Thomas: Talib said that has career began in New England even though he began his career in Tampa Bay. "I've been in the NFL since '08," Talib said this week, per the Boston Herald. "But I've really been in the NFL since November of 2012." Since becoming a Patriot in the middle of last season, the team that's gone 20-6. He will have his hands full with Thomas who is a deep vertical threat and can cause havoc in the screen game.
3. Patriots running backs vs. Broncos linebackers: Without the likes of Gronkowski, Welker and Hernandez, Brady has had to rely on running backs Steven Ridley and Shane Vereen. Enter LeGarrette Blount. Blount brings a nice balance of speed, strength and quick feet. The former Oregon Duck set a Patriot record with 4-rushing Touchdowns against the Colts last weekend. Without Von Miller, guys like Wesley Woodward and Danny Trevathan will have to step up.
X-FACTOR: Julius Thomas
*He's a mismatch for every defender and has really blossomed this year to be one of the top tight ends in the game. Last week he made timely plays to help the Broncos beat the Chargers.
Prediction: Broncos 31 - Patriots 28
NFC: (1) Russell Wilson's Seattle Seahawks vs. (5) Colin Kaepernick's San Francisco 49ers
They are so many similarties between these two guys. It's even reported that they are friends off the field, however the 49ers were in this position last year and beat the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. It doesn't get any easier as they head to the 12th man and deal with the noise in Seattle. Wilson does not have the weapons that the 49ers possess, yet he finds ways to make plays to guys like Golden Tate and who can forget about Marshawn "Skittles" Lynch. Wilson doesn't need to be perfect, he just has to avoid the turnovers. Kaepernick willneed to make plays with his feet as much as his arm. He will be tested agains the "Legion of Boom".
3 Key Matchups:
1. Frank Gore vs. Marshawn Lynch: Both these guys are the heartbeat of their teams, they will only go as far as these guys take him. I doubt they're will be a 100-yard rusher in the game but both should come close. Gore has the advantage in the passing and screen game but Lynch is ferocious and besides Adrian Peterson the toughest halfback to take down.
2. 49ers wide recievers vs. Legion of Boom: For Kaepernick it's comforting knowing he can go to three targets that are all capable of making big plays. Vernon Davis is the key, as he's a matchup nightmare. Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree will garner a lot of attention, which will help Davis. For Seattle they're confident with Richard Sherman, Thomas and Kam Chancellor in the backfield.
3. Jim Harbaugh vs. Pete Carroll: These guys don't really enjoy each other as they square up against each other for the 3rd time this year. It's like a boxing match. Carroll won Round 1. Harbaugh snuck away with Round 2 and the final round will determine on who can knock the other one off and catch them by surprise. It may not be a knockout but one of these teams will be done after today.
X-Factor: Earl Thomas
* Earl Thomas is the best safety in the game and no pass seems to be out of his range. The guy makes big hits in the run game, if he's on then the Seahawks have a good chance at winning, but he can't afford plays to happen like he did against Drew Brees. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTpXN43TRGc)
Prediction: 49ers 27 - Seahawks 24
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