Sadly for NFL fans, the season is almost over, the long hard slog that is the off-season is about to begin.
There are just three games remaining.
But those three games will be absolute crackers.
The first two of these are the conference championship games, which will take place Monday morning Australian time.
AFC Championship Game – New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos (7.05am AEDT)
The over-hyped umpteenth meeting of two of the greatest ever quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, in possibly the last meeting between the two with Manning expected to retire after this season.
Brady is at the top of his game, and his offensive pieces are finally healthy and firing. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski combined for 17 receptions, 183 yards and 2 touchdowns in the divsional round win over Kansas City.
This week they come against a Broncos team, much like the Chiefs, that has based it success on its defence, with an offense that can put up just enough points to win the game.
Last week the Broncos made hard work of disposing of a severely undermanned Pittsburgh team, winning with a late C.J Anderson rushing touchdown.
For mine, the key to this one lies with the ability of Denver to hang in there and limit mistakes on offense, keeping the ball away from the Patriots offence which is far superior. The Broncos have a good record against the Patriots at home, including a 30-24 win in Week 12 this season.
Prediction: Head = New England 23-16 Heart = Denver
NFC Championship Game – Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (7.05am AEDT)
The two best teams in the NFL through the regular season meet in what promises to be one of the best championship games in years.
Carolina have surprised many after spluttering into the playoffs last season, powering to a 15-1 record off the back of a great season by quarterback Cam Newton, running back Jonathon Stewart, tight end Greg Olson and cornerback Josh Norman.
They are undefeated at home, including a 31-24 win over Seattle, after jumping out to a 31-0 lead at the half.
A fade-out of this kind could be fatal against a Cardinal team that has probably the best all-round offense in the NFL.
Carson Palmer has had a career year, while the receiving corp of Larry Fitzgerald, Micheal Floyd and John Brown is a great mix of speed, agility and skill sets that will test the Panther defense which has given up some big scores this year, most notably to the New York Giants (35 points) in Week 15.
Arizona’s ability to overcome the travel east and not get off to a slow start like the Seahawks did last week is the key to this one. They had to come from behind themselves last over to defeat Green Bay, if they can keep it close in the first half they will back themselves to overrun the Panthers and advance.
Prediction: Carolina 24-23. The winner of this game will win the Superbowl.
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