AFC/NFC Conference Championship Picks: What of the Cinderella Story?

We are now nearing the weekend some believe will go down in NFL history.

I am one of those believers.

Teams in Conference Title games are likely to have played each other in the regular season.  Having real field experience with their respective opponents, as opposed to simply studying film, each team will have profound understanding of the other's weaknesses.

And when teams manifest a Cinderella story and come to the Conference Title game only to lose, we still have that one last week to root for the underdog.

Last season, the Title games turned out to be much more exciting than the Super Bowl.  The Bears vs. Saints match-up was the last hurrah for the Cinderella Saints who seemed to be America's team.  Unfortunately they were ripped to shreds by the ferocious Bears—who were picked by a few early in the season to go undefeated.

The AFC Championship game was an epic battle that saw Peyton Manning finally get the monkey off his back and beat the New England Patriots in the playoffs.  A late push made for an exciting game that nobody could turn off.

Again this year we have two great games that could turn out to be more exciting than the Super Bowl.

So let's get to the predictions.

New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers

Tom Brady will lead the Pats into Gillette Stadium on the hunt for Charger blood.  You can hate both teams in this match-up: the Patriots for their greatness, and the Chargers for their cockiness.                                                      

But wouldn't it be a treat if back-up quarterback Billy Volek were to lead his team to victory as underdogs?  It would be a fantastic and truly enjoyable upset, the Patriots' grand prospects dashed once again.  Not even Dr. Seuss with all his crazy, made-up, imaginary words could dream up that scenario. 

Unfortunately, I don't see that happening this week.  The Patriots are just too good and will inevitably have us questioning, "Who was that other team again?  Oh well, just forget it, I'll never remember."

Patriots 38 Chargers 13 

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

Brett Farve will lead the Pack onto Lambeau Field ready to take on the Giants.  You can   love both teams in this match-up: the Packers for Brett Farve's almost

grandfatherly charm, and the Giants for getting within three points of stopping the Patriots' undefeated season.

The Giants weren't even supposed to get past the first round before they defeated the Buccaneers and followed that up by reducing Terrell Owens to tears in a victory over the Cowboys.  And wouldn't it be something to see the Giants demolish the American heroes and continue their own Cinderella run into the Super Bowl?

Unfortunately for the Giants, they are to be considered this year's Saints and will not make it to the big dance. 

Anyway it would be heartwarming to see the joy in that old man's face as he runs around and celebrates his victory.

Packers 31 Giants 24