NFC Championship Game Preview

Seattle Seahawks Running Back Marshawn Lynch will need to dominate the 49ers defense like he did to the Saints for his team to win. 

San Francisco 49ers (14-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

This will be a rematch of the best rivalry in today's Football, the two teams played earlier this year in Seattle with the Seahawks stomping San Francisco 27-3, however, the Niners were missing their best pass-catcher, Michael Crabtree, the two teams played again in San Francisco (with Crabtree this time,) and the 49ers won that game 19-16. Both teams boast top-3 defenses, and both have had their struggles on offense. 

Here are 3 keys for each team:

3 keys to the game for Seattle 

1. Can Marshawn Lynch get something going against the San Francisco front 4? 

Seahawks Running Back Marshawn Lynch was absolutely unstoppable Saturday against the Saints, racking up 140 yards on 28 carries along with two touchdowns. However, the 49ers are one of the best run-stopping teams in Football. Lynch is the most important player in Seattle's offense, so it will be crucial to get him going early.

2. Get Percy Harvin involved 

Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin is one of the best Wide Receivers in the league when healthy, but he is very injury-prone, Harvin played in his first game since Week 11 of the regular season (and just his second game all year) in the teams 23-15 win over New Orleans, but he was more of a decoy than a play-maker, catching just 3 passes for 21 yards and taking 1 handoff on a trick play for 9 yards. Harvin did not look %100, more like 80-85, but I expect him to be a lot closer to %100 this week now that he has experience with Quarterback Russell Wilson, look for Wilson to target him a little more and for him (Harvin) to get involved in more running trick plays. 

3. Take away Colin Kaepernick's running lanes 

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick's running ability has been instrumental in his teams two playoff wins this year, and he is very hard to prepare for because he can beat with a 50-yard pas or a 50-yard run on any given play. Kaepernick's one flaw is that if you can put pressure on him he'll force a pass that can be easily intercepted, look for Seattle to attempt to blitz early to get Kaepernick out of rhythm.

Here are 3 keys to the game for San Francisco: 

1. Can the defense contain Marshawn Lynch?

As mentioned above Marshawn Lynch was unstoppable against the Saints, and he'll be looking to replicate that performance against San Francisco. So it's up to a defensive front four that includes both Justin Smith and Aldon Smith, to go with linebackers Patrick Willis NaVarro Bowman. With such an exceptional group of defensive players for San Francisco, it will be extremely difficult game for Lynch to dominate the game. 

2. Can Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman keep the defense guessing? 

It will be up to 49ers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman to use a wide variety of plays (run, pitch, draw, play action, read option etc.) to keep the Seattle defense guessing. If San Francisco can mix up offensive plays accordingly, it will give them a much better shot at pulling off the upset. 

3. Can Jim Harbaugh keep his cool?

Seriously, I'm wondering, if the teams Super Bowl hopes depended on it, could he? (Nope, as we witnessed in the form of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a close game last week against Carolina.)

The X Factor: Offense

While both teams are known for having top-tier defenses, who wins will likely boil down to who performs better on the offensive side of the ball. I think with a trio of Kaepernick, Frank Gore, and Michael Crabtree, the 49ers have the more, er, explosive offense, though neither is among the leagues best in that phase of the game.

The Verdict: 

Marshawn Lynch dominates early, and Seattle jumps out to a 13-6 halftime lead. Colin Kaepernick then shows why experience DOES matter in today's NFL and the Niners come back to win it.

Final Score: Seattle 16 San Francisco 20

Divisional Round Recap

Broncos receiver Wes Welker caught a touchdown pass in his first game since Week 11. 

I was 4-0 on my game picks this week giving me a 7-1 Playoff record this year. 

Tom Brady made and Peyton Manning both held off late comebacks to lead their respective teams to wins, while Power Running Backs Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch dominated their competition. 

Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker had 6 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown in his first game since Week 14. Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Percy Harvin also played in his first game since Week 11 and just his 2nd game of the season. Harvin caught 3 passes for 21 yards and had 1 carry on a trick play for 9 yards. 

The Sports Kid will also be providing you with a preview of each Conference Championship. 

Now, here are the players of the week:

Offense: WR Anqaun Boldin, San Francisco 49ers 8 catches 136 yards

Boldin was unstoppable Sunday against the Panthers, and was a huge part of why his team pulled off the road win against Carolina. 

Defense: CB Alfonzo Dennard, New England Patriots 2 tackles 2 interceptions 

Dennard intercepted Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck on Luck's first throw of the game, and Luck's final throw of the game. That's pretty remarkable coming from a guy who only had 1 interception all year coming into the game. 

Special Teams: K Steven Hauschka 3-3 field goals 2-2 extra points 11 points 

Hauschka had another nice performance this week and has quietly become one of the best kickers in the NFL. 

LeGarrette Blount was unstoppable Saturday Night against Indy. 

Overall: RB LeGerratte Blount, New England Patriots 24 carries 166 yards 4 touchdowns 

Who else? Blount was a human wrecking-ball Saturday and no one on the Colts porous defense could stop him. The Patriots scored 6 touchdowns last night, and how many were by Tom Brady? Zero, zip, none, 0! Now THAT'S crazy. 

Redskins hire Jay Gruden

The Redskins have hired Jay Gruden as their new Head Coach. 

The Washington Redskins have hired Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden, brother of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden, as their new Head Coach.

 Gruden will replace Mike Shanahan who was fired after Washington went just 3-13 this season. 

The team also shut down second-year Franchise Quarterback Robert Griffin III for the remainder of the season after a disappointing 3-10 start. 

As surprising as this may sound, the future is bright for RG3 and co. If Gruden can minimize Griffin's read-option runs, and get backs Alfred Morris and Roy Helu to buy into the power run scheme, coupled with superstar wideout Pierre Garćon and potential-bearing tight end Jordan Reed, the Redskins have playoff aspirations. 

That is, if Gruden can bring in a Defensive Coordinator that knows the game of Football and has coaching experience to help improve last years league-worst defense. 

While I don't think they have the pieces to make it back to the playoffs next year, I do believe they'll be back in the postseason picture in a few years. 

In other coaching news:

The Buccaneers have hired Lovie Smith as their new Head Coach and the Texans have hired Brian Kelly as their new Head Coach. 

How good can Andrew Luck be?

Andrew Luck has the potential to be an All-Time great.

Andrew Luck is already a Top-10 NFL Quarterback in the NFL and he is in just his second year in the NFL. 

He has lost top-targets Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen, and has one of the worst running games in the NFL in the form of Donald Brown and Trent Richardson. 

He has already met all expectations and has the potential to be a Top-5 Quarterback All-Time. Luck has already shown the ability to perform a late-game comeback, but his best feature: he's one of the most clutch Quarterbacks in the NFL, something his predecessor Peyton Manning never was. 

Luck can throw a sweet spiral and can throw it into the end zone from midfield. He has the speed of a power running back and the size of a fullback.

 He can not only beat you with his legs, he knows when to let the pigskin fly, and when to keep it himself. His two flaws are these:

1. He can't consistently deliver on his deep-ball

This was also a weak point in Manning's game, and it can be a fatal one at times. Such as third-and-long with his team needing a first down Luck will overthrow the receiver by a mile [or at least, it seems like a mile,] he needs to be able to refrain himself from using all his arm strength on a throw that requires using less than his maximum arm strength.

2. He can come out flat 
Luck also has been known to struggle in the 1st half of games and the Colts have a tendency to fall behind early in games. While part of this can be accounted to their weak defense, and mediocre running game. However, Luck doesn't help. His greatness is defined in the SECOND HALF, or more specifically, the 4th Quarter. 
While I expect the Colts to lose to the Patriots in the Divisional Round, with core players Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Allen, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Vick Ballard returning next year, they will be legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But to really be considered on the same level as Manning, Luck will need multiple MVP awards and Super Bowl rings.

NCAAB Power Rankings #1

1. Syracuse 15-0

Syracuse is undefeated and Senior Forward C.J. Fair is thriving in Coach Jim Boehim's 2-3 defense. Fair is a Player of the Year dark-horse. 

2. Arizona 15-0 

Arizona has possibly the most skilled big man in all of College Basketball in Freshman Forward Aaron Gordon and Arizona is off to it's best start in years.

3. Wisconsin 16-0

Wisconsin is off to a hot start but they will be tested when they start playing against the Big Ten's elite.

4. Michigan State 14-1

With a win over Ohio State Michigan State showed that they are legitimate national championship contenders.

5. Wichita State 16-0 

Wichita State is showing that last seasons trip to the Final Four was no fluke. They have every chance to repeat that feat this year, and should not be taken lightly just because they are in a weak Conference. 

6. Ohio State 15-1 

7. Oregon 13-1

8. Iowa State 14-0

9. Villanova 13-1

10. Baylor 12-1

11. San Diego State 13-1

12. Louisville 13-2

13. Pittsburgh 14-1 

14. Florida 12-2

15. Oklahoma State 13-2 

16. Cincinnati 14-2

17. UCLA 12-2 

18. Kentucky 11-3

19. Creighton 13-1 

20. Minnesota 13-3

21. Colorado 13-2

22. Connecticut 12-3

23. Kansas State 12-3

24. Harvard 13-2

25. Kansas 10-4

NBA Playoff Picture/Awards

EAST 

1. Miami Heat 

2. Indiana Pacers 

3. Toronto Raptors
4. Atlanta Hawks 

5. Washington Wizards
6. Brooklyn Nets 
7. New York Knicks 
8. Chicago Bulls 

Miami over Chicago 4-0
Indiana over New York 4-1
Toronto over Brooklyn 4-3
Washington over Atlanta 4-2

Miami over Washington 4-1
Indiana over Toronto 4-1

Indiana over Miami 4-3

WEST 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 

2. San Antonio Spurs 

3. Golden State Warriors 

4. Portland Trailblazers 

5. Los Angeles Clippers 
6. Houston Rockets 
7. Memphis Grizzlies 
8. Dallas Mavericks 

Oklahoma City over Dallas 4-1
San Antonio over Memphis 4-2
Golden State over Houston 4-2
Los Angeles over Portland 4-2

Oklahoma City over Los Angeles 4-3
San Antonio over Golden State 4-2

Oklahoma City over San Antonio 4-3

NBA Finals 

Indiana Pacers over Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 

Finals MVP: Center Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers  

Awards 

League MVP: Small Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Defensive Player of the Year: Center Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Rookie of the Year: Point Guard Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

Most Improved Player: Point Guard Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

Coach of the Year: Gregg Poppovich, San Antonio Spurs

6th Man of the Year: Point Guard Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder 

NBA Power Rankings #5

Paul George and the Pacers are #1 in the latest Power Rankings

1. Indiana Pacers 27-6

The Pacers have the best defense in the NBA and is the obvious choice for no. 1 in the first Power Rankings edition of 2014. The immediate question for Indy is Point Guard George Hill's shaky ball-handling. 

Last Ranking: 1

2. Miami Heat 26-8

Lebron James has shown why he is the clear favorite for MVP thus far and has notched Miami into a top-two spot in the Power Rankings. But his supporting cast must step up of they want to three-peat. 

Last Ranking: 3

3. Oklahoma City Thunder 27-7

Kevin Durant is largely unappreciated because of the fact that he is second-best to Lebron James however, that doesn't change how great he is. Reggie Jackson is good, but he is more suited for a backup role. 

Last Ranking: 2

4. San Antonio Spurs 26-8

San Antonio has every chance to make another run to the NBA Finals but the question is whether or not their aging core can keep it up during the Playoffs.

Last Ranking: 4

5. Portland Trailblazers 26-8 

Trailblazers fans may not agree with this statement but I don't feel like Portland has the pieces to put it together and go all the way, at least, not THIS year. 

Last Ranking: 5

6. Golden State Warriors 23-13

The Warriors, are on a hot streak right with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both on shooting streaks.

Last Ranking: 8

7. Houston Rockets 22-13

The Rockets, as of right now, lack the consistency to make a run at an NBA Championship. This is something Head Coach Kevin McHale must look into. That, and the teams mediocre at best defense. 

Last Ranking: 7

8. Los Angeles Clippers 24-13 

Losing J.J. Redick for 6 weeks hurt. Losing Chris Paul for 6 weeks is a dagger. The Clips could fall as far as the no. 7 in the crowded West Playoff picture. It also greatly hurts their chances of hosting a First Round Playoff Series with the Warriors, Rockets, and Suns all right on their tail.

Last Ranking: 6

9. Phoenix Suns 20-12

Speaking of the Suns, who expected this? A high-flying offense with a backcourt duo of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. If you're saying that you did expect that then stop lying. 

Last Ranking: 9

10. Toronto Raptors 16-16 

The Raptors have been the third-best team in the East since trading ball-hog Rudy Gay who was shooting a horrid 38.3 percent from the field. This has opened up the lane for big man Jonas Valucinnes (or however you spell his last name.) 

Last Ranking: 11

11. Dallas Mavericks 19-15

Last Ranking: 10

12. Minnesota Timberwolves 17-17

Last Ranking: 12

13. Denver Nuggets 16-17

Last Ranking: 15

14. Atlanta Hawks 18-17

Last Ranking: 14

15. New Orleans Pelicans 15-17

Last Ranking: 13

16. Memphis Grizzlies 15-18

Last Ranking: 17

17. Washington Wizards 14-17 

Last Ranking: 16

18. Charlotte Bobcats 15-20

Last Ranking: 20

19. Detroit Pistons 14-20

Last Ranking: 18 

20. Chicago Bulls 14-18 

The Chicago Bulls have traded Small Forward Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Center Andrew Bynum and several draft picks.

Last Ranking: 22

21. Brooklyn Nets 13-21 

Last Ranking: 23

22. New York Knicks 11-21 

Last Ranking: 28

23. Boston Celtics 13-21 

Last Ranking: 18

24. Los Angeles Lakers 14-20 

Last Ranking: 21

25. Philadelphia 76ers 11-22 

Last Ranking: 29

26. Cleveland Cavaliers 11-23 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Center Andrew Bynum and several draft picks to the Chicago Bulls for Small Forward Luol Deng.

Last Ranking: 27

27. Utah Jazz 11-25 

Last Ranking: 26

28. Sacramento Kings 10-22

Last Ranking: 25

29. Orlando Magic 10-24 

Last Ranking: 24

30. Milwaukee Bucks 7-26

Last Ranking: 30

Biggest Jump: New York Knicks 28 to 22

Biggest Drop: Tie Between Boston Celtics (18 to 23) and Orlando Magic (24 to 29) 

please note: this article was written before any game on 1/7/13 and thus does not take those games into consideration in the Rankings.