Mike’s pigskin picks

This Sunday we have the pleasure of enjoying the best day of the football season. That of course would be Championship Sunday. Last week there was plenty of talk about how each road team had a legitimate shot at pulling the upset. A $10 parlay taking all four road teams would have won you close to $900. Ultimately, that didn’t happen. Chalk across the board pins both #1 seeds against the #2 seeds. Boring in some aspects, yet also exciting because the four best teams will be playing this weekend. Let’s break these games down.

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Rams @ Saints

Two teams that lost in the Divisional Round last year got over the hump, and are one win away from the Super Bowl. The Rams looked much more impressive last week, (they beat a better team in the Cowboys than the Saints did against the Eagles). The Rams’ major weakness all season was their inability to stop the run. At least on Saturday they finally proved they could contain an elite running game by limiting Zeke Elliot to less than two yards a carry. If they have similar success against the two-headed monster Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram they will win. The Rams will also need to take away Michael Thomas, as he is really the only elite talent the Saints have at wide receiver. They need to jam him at the line, double and bracket him. They cannot let this guy get free releases or he will have a field day. Todd Gurley will need to be the focal point of the offense so Jared Goff can take advantage of the play action game. I believe Sean Mcvay will have this game plan in place ultimately leading them to a win.

Rams 27 Saints 23

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Patriots @ Chiefs

This game is going to be so awesome. The old goat against the hot-shot MVP. Patrick Mahomes has been the best and most exciting player in football this season. He makes jaw dropping throws every week and legitimately might be the most talented quarterback to ever set foot on the field. Combine that with an innovative offensive mind like Andy Reid, the fact that the Chiefs having the best offensive weapons in football and you have an offense that is quite literally impossible to stop. However, this is Bill Belichick and Tom Brady’s eighth consecutive AFC Championship game. Belichick will have a plan that keeps them in this game despite the discrepancy in talent. Ultimately, this will be the passing of the torch from Brady to Mahomes. The Patriots have not won an AFC Championship game on the road since 2004. Brady has been no better than average in road games throughout his career. This will be the difference in a close home win by the Chiefs.

Patriots 31 Chiefs 34