4. Denver Broncos
Denver has one of the best offenses of all time and their special teams crew is also great, but a suspect defense that is now without Von Miller is a major concern.
Denver has one of the best offenses of all time and their special teams crew is also great, but a suspect defense that is now without Von Miller is a major concern.
The Seahawks are a great team with a decent argument as the best of these four teams, but these are power rankings which have a "what have you done for me lately?" aspect to them. The Seahawks lost two of their last four regular season games, including a loss at home to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Patriots are the only team that really put a beating on their playoff opponent with a 43-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. They look ready for a good shootout with Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
The 49ers are the hottest team left with eight straight victories, including two playoff wins on the road. With Michael Crabtree and Aldon Smith back in the lineup, this team has been firing on all cylinders.
The last time these teams met in Seattle, the Seahawks won in a blowout, but that was back in Week 2. The 49ers are not the same team they were early in the season. They are playing with all the confidence in the world and with all of their key players in the lineup. This is going to be a great game between two very well-rounded teams, but somebody from the Wild Card round has to make the Super Bowl, right?
Prediction: 49ers 20 -- Seahawks 13
Bill Belichick is one of the best at slowing down Manning with a record of 11-6 against him as the head coach of the Patriots. The other factor that I believe gives New England the edge can be illustrated with a question. Who would you rather have in a huge game, Tom Brady or Manning?
Prediction: Patriots 38 -- Broncos 30
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