2012 NFL PLAYOFFS---CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

And then there were four.

Of the teams remaining, New England and New York have the two best offenses. Baltimore and San Francisco have the two best defenses. In other words, expect to see the Patriots and the Giants in the Superbowl.

Baltimore + 7 ½ @ New England

This is the “easy” one, of course. Nobody really thinks the Ravens can win this, especially in New England. The question is whether it is wise to lay the 7 ½.

I think it is. While this game may not be the rout that Denver – New England turned out to be, the Patriots still boast the best yards/pass numbers in the AFC, by a large margin, so you have to expect they will score 30+ in this one. The issue then becomes: can Joe Flacco keep his team close if the contest is a shootout.

Joe Flacco? Take the Patriots. Lay the points.

New York + 2 ½ @ San Francisco

This is much closer. On balance, the yards/pass numbers favor New York, but only slightly. And of course, the game is in San Francisco.

Neither one of them had anything to be ashamed of last week---that much is clear. Both these teams are smokin', and feeling pretty darn good about themselves. The Giants may not be a juggernaut (like the Pats), but they beat the bejesus out of the mighty Packers. Similarly, if there were some doubts about the 49ers being “just a good defense,” the last five minutes of the New Orleans game probably opened some eyes. It looks like a good game.

I think New York merits a small edge, but if you want to claim it's a toss-up, I wouldn't argue. However, if you're giving me 2 ½ points, I take the Giants.

Copyright2012MichaelKubacki