Predicting the 2 championship game winners

Rams-related notes: Championship round

By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15523/rams-related-notes-championship-round-2

EARTH CITY, Mo. — We are down to the Final Four, and once again, the NFC West division and a two-time St. Louis Rams opponent is still standing and the prohibitive favorite to win the whole thing.

This week brings us the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship, and the New England Patriots hosting the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC title. The Seahawks are the only team remaining that played the Rams in 2014 after the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos were eliminated last week.

There are still some other ties and notes related to the Rams as we head into the penultimate week of games:

The Rams were 1-1 against the Seahawks this season, with that victory being one of the high points of their season. That was the game that included what I think was the best play of the Rams’ season — “The Mountaineer” — the creative and deceptive punt return that turned into a 90-yard touchdown jaunt by Stedman Bailey. It also included a fake punt late in the game to seal the victory. The Rams fell in the regular-season finale against the Seahawks as they were unable to overcome late turnovers.

There are three players who used to be Rams still standing in the championship round — Indianapolis cornerback Josh Gordy, and New England tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and receiver Danny Amendola. Amendola, who was once the Rams’ best receiver, had a big game last week against the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 25 yards per return on five kick returns. Hoomanawanui also chipped in four catches for 43 yards.

The Patriots also boast special teams ace Matthew Slater, who didn’t play for the Rams but is the son of legendary Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater. The younger Slater is one of the best special teams performers in the league, and always worth watching when running down kicks and punts.

New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spent one miserable season in the same role with the Rams. He returned to the Patriots before that 2011 season was even over and ascended to his current position once again.
It’s not breaking any new ground to say the Rams need help at the quarterback position, but one need only to look at the four signal callers left standing to understand the importance of the position in this league. One could argue that Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady are among the five or six best quarterbacks in the league, and they are all still playing. Make no mistake, they have plenty of help, but when things break down, having a top quarterback is a cure for a lot of ills. The bad news for the Rams is there doesn’t appear to be a solution near that caliber available to them this offseason.

Here are this week’s predictions you didn’t ask for that are sure to be wrong:

Seattle over Green Bay: I offered further statistical explanation on this pick here, but I struggle to find ways for Green Bay to win this game barring a barrage of turnovers by the Seahawks. Nothing against Green Bay, as it is an excellent team, but Rodgers’ injury will just make it too difficult for him to have success against Seattle’s defense. At least not enough success to get a win. CenturyLink Field will be rocking, and the Seahawks will repeat as NFC champion.

New England over Indianapolis: It’s boring to go with both No. 1 seeds, but the Patriots also look like clear favorites here. Last week’s win against Denver was one of the few wins against a “good” opponent for the Colts this season, but even the Broncos didn’t look like a top team. The Colts should be able to put up a fight, and they have been playing better, but ultimately the Patriots’ ability to run the ball and stop the run will lead them back to the Super Bowl.