The NFL’s version of the Final Four is upon us.
The four teams left standing will do battle Sunday on opposite coasts, with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake. The New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers are so close to Arizona they can taste it, but there’s still work to be done.
In the AFC, the Colts ruined the party for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, denying fans a chance to see another matchup between the legendary quarterback and longtime rival Tom Brady. Indianapolis and New England squared off in Week 11m with the Patriots running all over the Colts and winning going away. Las Vegas likes the Patriots to defend home-field advantage this weekend as New England is favored by 6 1/2 points.
On the other side of the bracket, the Packers are faced with the unenviable task of having to go to Seattle and take on the red-hot Seahawks. Seattle is one of the best home teams in the league, and that defense likely smells blood in the water with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers dealing with a calf injury. The Seahawks rolled to a 20-point win over the Packers in Week 1, and Vegas sees Seattle as more than a touchdown favorite Sunday.
With that in mind, here are this week’s NESN.com picks. See those below, with NESN.com’s Mike Cole and Darren Hartwell explaining their picks in the video above.
LAST WEEK
Darren Hartwell: 3-1 (170-76-1). Won’t apologize for trying to pick winners.
Mike Cole: 3-1 (170-76-1). Not so secretly hoping his Seahawks pick is a jinx, allowing his beloved Packers to reach the Super Bowl.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET
Darren: Seahawks
Mike: Seahawks
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots, Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET
Darren: Patriots
Mike: Patriots
