On Feb. 7, 2016, Santa Clara, Calif. will be the host to one of the biggest events in America. As of Sunday, Jan. 17, there are four remaining teams eligible for the Super Bowl title.
The Carolina Panthers (16-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals (14-3) this Sunday. Both teams have high hopes to step foot in Levi’s Stadium as each have only one Super Bowl appearance and no rings to show for it.
This season, the Panthers were 15-0 before they saw their first loss. Quarterback Cam Newton credits it to, “Momentum. We can’t wait for no one to make plays for us.”
As each respective team has proved to be more impressive than their track record, it will come down to who wants it more. A leader and star for the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald will definitely be a huge factor against Carolina’s defense. Coming off the touchdown that won them the NFC divisional game after a Green Bay Hail Mary to force overtime, locking up Fitzgerald will be imperative to the Panther’s success. Carson Palmer will be another asset to Arizona, holding the No. 4 spot for passing yards all season averaging 292 yards per game.
As Carolina is not pegged as a “big name” team, their almost perfect season surprised many. My prediction has Newton, backed up by leaders Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman winning by three to see their second Super Bowl in history.
As for the AFC Championship game, the Denver Broncos (13-4) and the New England Patriots (13-4) are fighting for their second and fourth championships.
Although the Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in the divisional game, the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger outshined the Broncos’ Peyton Manning in terms of passing yards. With Pittsburgh stars Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown out due to injuries, it wasn’t predicted to be as close. Rushing and receiving leader Martavis Bryant proved to be a threat to Denver’s defense.
Tom Brady, who holds the No. 3 spot between Quarterbacks, is averaging 298 yards per game. Wide Receiver Julian Edelman is also credited as Brady’s top target, whose foot injury is near full recovery. As seen in the divisional game, Edelman is taking advantage of his ability to move without restriction. Tight End Rob Gronkowski, who scored twice last game, will also need to be taken care of if the Broncos want to lock up the Patriots’ offense.
My prediction for the AFC game – Patriots win by 13. Although Denver has been steady, their lack of ability to hold the Steelers to a larger margin without two of their best players tells me New England has the edge and will see their ninth Super Bowl.
If it comes down to the Panthers and Patriots, I have the Panthers on top by three taking home their first championship, simply because they have proven to be relentless this season. The pre-season game between the two ended in a 17-16 decision in New England’s favor.
