WINNEMUCCA - With the regular season coming to an end in the NFL on Sunday, its time to look into the crystal ball and pick a Super Bowl winner.
First of all, sorry Pittsburgh Steelers fans you got the short end of the stick. Not only did Kansas City sit all of its starters against San Diego, the Chiefs kicker misses a chip shot of a field goal.
Turns out he should have gotten another attempt, since the Chargers broke the rules. A team can not have more than six players on one side of the ball and San Diego had seven on that play.
As we moved into overtime, it appeared that Kansas City stripped the ball on a fake punt by the Chargers and scored a touchdown. However, the officials deemed the San Diego runner had his progressed stopped. It is what it is and San Diego will not be in the playoffs very long.
We will start in the first round of the NFC with San Francisco traveling to Green Bay. Thanks to a horrible defense by Chicago, Green Bay sneaked its way into the playoffs on a 48-yard pass play from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb.
The 49ers finished the year 12-4, while the Packers were 8-7-1. The 49ers beat the Packers head-to-head but are the No. 5 seed and have to travel to Green Bay. Something not right with that, but San Francisco finds a way to get the job done.
In the other NFC Wild Card matchup, New Orleans has to travel to Philadelphia. The Saints are a totally different team when they leave the Superdome. I would have picked them if they were playing in Dallas, but they are not. The conditions in Philadelphia could be dicey and the Eagles win.
As we move into the NFC Divisional Round, San Francisco heads to Seattle in a battle of NFC West rivals. When the two teams met in the Great Northwest in the second week of the season, the Seahawks ran away from the 49ers. With the game in Seattle, I just don't see San Francisco winning unless everything goes right.
After starting 1-3, Carolina has produced a nice season but it ends with Philadelphia coming down and upsetting the No. 2 Panthers. It has been a good ride for Cam Newton and the Panthers defense, but the Eagles stay hot and pull the upset.
That leads us to the NFC Championship, where Seattle will use its homefield advantage to go to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are not playing the greatest on offense right now, but staying at home will make a big difference and the cross-country flight will hurt the Eagles. Seattle 23, Philadelphia 17.
In the AFC Wild Card Round, it is a toss up between Kansas City and Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Chiefs a few weeks ago in Kansas City. The Chiefs started off hot but have cooled off since. Indianapolis doesn't scare you on offense, but has a stout defense. I say Kansas City goes and grabs the win.
While the Steelers were probably throwing different things at the TV during the San Diego and Kansas City game, the Cincinnati Bengals were jumping for joy. There is no way on earth that the Bengals wanted to play the Steelers in the playoffs. I would have picked the Steelers to win that game.
However, San Diego pulled off the win and travels to Cincinnati, where the Bengals should cruise to a victory. Cincinnati has not lost at home this year and that trend will continue this weekend.
In the AFC Divisional Round, Cincinnati will travel to New England to face the Patriots. For everything New England has been through this year and to be 12-4 and the No. 2 seed is anything short of amazing. Cincinnati was the pick of may to reach the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season, but I don't think they are ready for prime time yet. Tom Brady and his band of no names makes it to the AFC Championship.
It's tough to say, but Denver choked in its loss to Baltimore a season ago. The Broncos defeated Kansas City twice this season and to beat a team a third time is a tall task. It comes down to this, Denver has Peyton Manning and Kansas City has Alex Smith. Manning is on a mission and Denver doesn't choke this year.
Denver will play host to New England in the AFC Championship and will get its revenge against Tom Brady. We are going to here a week of Manning and Brady talk that will border on being annoying. The Broncos have the better weapons and Wes Welker doesn't drop a punt at the 10-yard line and let New England win. Denver 34, New England 30.
I am hoping for a blizzard for the Super Bowl in New Jersey (not New York). As much as it pains me I have to say Denver knocks off Seattle. The Seahawks just don't have the firepower to stay with the Broncos. Denver 27, Seattle 17.
Winnemucca Publishing sports editor Tony Erquiaga can be reached via email at t.erquiaga@winnemuccapublishing.net.
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