Varacchi’s NFL Playoff Preview 2017 – Conference Championship Weekend

I had a solid year predicting the three local teams, but my Wild Card weekend predictions stuck me at an even .500.  I redeemed myself for Divisional Weekend, picking every game correctly!

Any monetary losses you suffer are your own fault, but if you win, don’t forget about me.

Sunday, January 22

NFC Championship Game: (4) Green Bay Packers at (2) Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Dome, Atlanta; 3:05 p.m. (ET) on FOX

Like I said last week, I'm on the Falcons bandwagon. That doesn't mean I'm going to start wearing their gear or anything, it just means that of the teams left, I'm rooting for them. Even though I'm rooting for them, I'm picking against them. I know that "intangibles" are silly, but the Packers just seem to have some crazy special power that is getting them through. No matter what was happening last week against the Cowboys, I had zero doubt the Packers would come away winning that game. I think this game could be a shootout, and likely come down to the cliched "who has the ball last" ending, but I think the Packers outlast the Falcons.

Packers 42, Falcons 38

AFC Championship Game: (3) Pittsburgh Steelers at (1) New England Patriots

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro; 6:40 p.m. (ET) on CBS

When the playoffs started, I said I thought the only team that could knock off the Pats were the Steelers. The Texans/Raiders combo wasn't a threat; even if the Dolphins had squeaked past the Steelers & Chiefs, I wouldn't have given them a chance against New England; the Chiefs themselves would have been no match. All that said, as good as the Steelers have looked, the Pats always seem to be able to shut that sort of team down.

Patriots 20, Steelers 16

Remaining NFL Playoff Schedule

Super Bowl 51

Sunday, February 5
Super Bowl: AFC champion vs. NFC champion, NRG Stadium, Houston, TX; 6:30 p.m. (ET) on Fox