10 Bold Predictions for the NFL Conference Championships

When the 49ers took the lead against New Orleans with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter last week, the first thing that went through a lot of sports fans minds was that they gave Brees too much time. Even our waitress at Hooters said it.

Those people were right, as Brees drove down the field in under a minute and retook the lead.

However, I don't think many people thought Alex Smith would drive down the field again and score with just seconds remaining in order to defeat the Saints.

That was bold, so here are 10 bold predictions for the games this weekend.

1. Tom Brady Will Throw More Interceptions Than Joe Flacco

There definitely wasn't any Tebow magic in Foxboro last week, as Brady threw for over 350 yards and six touchdowns.

The Ravens will be a much tougher test and are coming off a game in which they picked off T.J. Yates three times, though Yates isn't even close to being on the same level as Brady.

The Ravens will run, run, and run some more, while the Patriots will be taking many more risks through the air.

I say Brady gets picked off at least twice, and Flacco either once or not at all.

2. Rob Gronkowski Won't Score

The last time a tight end scored three touchdowns in the first half of a playoff game? Well, last Saturday of course, when Gronk did it.

But before that? I have no clue, but I know I'm pretty sure it's never happened in my lifetime. I would call up Shannon Sharpe, but he sounds like he has a mouthful of peanut butter marbles in his mouth when he talks, and I can't understand anything he says. I would pay UFC pay-per-view money to watch him debate with Lou Holtz. 

Anyway, the Ravens are too good on defense and prepare too well to not find a way to keep him out of the end zone. He'll have an impact, but expect a Aaron Hernandez spike, not a Gronk spike this weekend. A lot of the pressure will be on Ed Reed to watch the middle of the field.

If he fails to score in the end zone however, I'm sure he'll settle with scoring with a porn star.

3. Tim Tebow Will Be Mentioned Less Than 5 Times During the Games

This is probably my boldest prediction. He lost, he's done, it's over. Please broadcasters, I am begging you: Stop talking about him.

He's being linked to Katy Perry now... I'm sure he'll be fine.

I'll have to make sure I don't go anywhere near a station with Skip Bayless in order for this to hold true.

4. The Patriots Will Have a Rushing Touchdown

The Ravens, who were second in rushing defense in the regular season, have given up 11 rushing touchdowns on the year, including one to Arian Foster last week in the Divisional Round.

In the red zone, Baltimore will be so focused on the passing game that a surprise run could trigger a big play. I can see it now, first and goal from the five, shotgun, draw play to Aaron Hernandez.

He did have five rushes for 61 yards last week.

5. Torrey Smith Will Have 100 Yards and a Touchdown

The Patriots defense has struggled against fast outside receivers all year, and Torrey Smith can absolutely fly.

I think the Ravens will try a big play on their first offensive drive, and I think that with most of the attention on Anquan Boldin, Smith will find single coverage down the seam and make a play.

That is if they don't drag him down by his dreads.

6. There Will Be 30 Points or Less in the 49ers/Giants Game

In the two playoff games these teams played last week, there was a combined 118 points. Both games were offensive shootouts, which will not be the case this time.

The 49er defense that was dominant in the regular season will come back to it's regular form and try to slow the game down by loading Frank Gore with carries.

I've got San Francisco winning 16-13. On a separate note, Patrick Willis is enormous.

7. Neither Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz Will Score a Touchdown

Neither will Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs. The one Giants touchdown will be a pass from Eli Manning to...Mario Manningham. FROM!?...The University of Michigan.

The 49er defense was scorched by Marques Colston last week, and will make the proper adjustments to double up on the Giants' two star receivers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Jake Ballard with the ball in the pay dirt either—Jimmy Graham was there twice last week.

8. The Giants Will Block a Crucial Field Goal

Akers has had arguably one of the greatest seasons in kicking history, and he holds the NFL record for consecutive field goals made in the playoffs with 19.

During a big game when he was with Philadelphia in December of 2008 he had two kicks blocked, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This was the only time in his career that he had two kicks blocked in the same game.

Who was it against? Why that would be the New York Giants.

9. Kendall Hunter Will Have More Rush Yards Than Brandon Jacobs

The 49ers are going to focus on the run, whereas the Giants are going to try to beat the 49ers through the air. The giants split carries pretty evenly, whereas the 49ers usually have about a 3:1 ratio between Gore and Hunter.

However, I think the 49ers will really emphasize the ground game to take some pressure off of Smith, and the Giants will fear away from what was the best rushing defense in the regular season.

Jacobs: 35 yards, Hunter: 43.

10. Both Games Will Go into Overtime

Because who wouldn't love to see that?

Okay to be honest, I just don't want to see the highlight of Tebow beating the Steelers in the first round 500 more times, and maybe a big overtime play this weekend will substantially decrease the play of that highlight.