NFL Playoffs

Pats (-3) at Broncos
The Broncos have the #1 defense and the home field advantage. Unfortunately, they also have Peyton Manning. You'd love to think that Peyton can crank it up for 2 more games, then ride off into the sunset but I can't help remembering that John Wayne got killed in his last movie. Brady and Belichick will not be deterred by a #1 defense--shit, it'll keep 'em even more focused. Brady is machine-like these days, he knows exactly what he's doing with the ball as soon as he steps to the line of scrimmage, I can't see the Broncos slowing down that attack. Peyton is a crafty veteran, maybe he gets a coupla 1st downs that he shouldn't have gotten; that D is pretty good, maybe they can sneak a pick six or get a big critical stop; the Bronco special teams might push the Pats back or get a coupla big returns. Maybe. The Broncos might do some good things but I'm certain the Pats will. I'll say Pats 31-20.

Cards at Panthers (-3)
The Cards have a great D, solid running game, resurgent MVP-level QB and one of the great coaches in the league. They've been good-getting-better for almost a decade now and this feels like their moment. But I'm taking the Panthers. Cam Newton has redefined beast mode this year, Coach Rivera seems to have the magic touch and that D is wicked scary. Yes, they've been overacheiving all year long and this feels like the moment when they get their comeuppance but the Cards have a flaw: Carson Palmer is made of glass and quite capable of losing a fumble or two (or three or four). Throw in the wintery conditions and I've got to give all the intangibles to the Panthers. They're really quite similar teams but the Panthers are based on the dumb confidence of youth while the Cards are savvy veterans...but given the environment, I'll stick with the dumb confidence. I'll say Panthers 34-16.