The NFL playoffs are always known for being the best time of the year for football fans. The best teams that the league has to offer are all battling for a shot to win the Super Bowl. Divisional weekend has passed us, and there were definitely some great games, including one instant classic. I predicted three of the four games correctly last week, so there are definitely two great matchups set up for this weekend’s conference championship round. The four best teams in the NFL will battle to represent their conference in the Super Bowl, and no team has an easy matchup to get there.

NFC Championship Game – Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan proved every doubter wrong (including me) last week as he put on a tremendous showing against the Seattle Seahawks. He put up MVP caliber numbers against one of the league’s best defenses. He threw for over 300 yards and recorded 3 touchdowns. Coming off of their bye, Atlanta looked like a true Super Bowl contender. The whole team, both offense and defense, came together to advance the Falcons to the NFC Championship. This team will be tough to beat, especially at home. But if anyone in the NFC can do it, it would be the quarterback that they are going up against…

Aaron Rodgers continued his streak of dominance through Dallas last week. He also threw for 300 yards plus and had two touchdowns. He also hit Jared Cook with a laser with just seconds left that set up a 52 yard Mason Crosby field goal to win the game. In an instant classic, the Packers won and are looking great going into this game against Atlanta. They just have to stick with what works if they want to be able to defeat the Falcons in Atlanta. Getting receiver Jordy Nelson back will be helpful, but will it be enough? Can the Packers pull together a team effort to down the Falcons?

Predicted Winner: Green Bay

Don’t get me wrong, I am no longer doubting Matt Ryan in the playoffs. He proved to the world that his is capable to lead his team to the Super Bowl. But I said it last week, and he proved me right so I’ll say it again, it’s hard to bet against a team led by Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs. He may very well be the best quarterback in football at this juncture, and it is possible for the Packers to go to Atlanta and beat the Falcons. If the Packers secondary can contain Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, Aaron Rodgers will find a way to win.

AFC Championship Game – Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots

This game should be an offensive shootout for the ages. Two of the most storied teams in NFL history led by two of the greatest quarterbacks the game has ever seen. This should be a good one. Let’s start with New England. The obviously have quarterback Tom Brady at the helm, which is never a good sign for the opposing team. However, last week he looked a bit off against the Texans as he threw two interceptions. It is important for the Patriots that Brady limits his mistakes this week if they want to be victorious. The defense of New England also is no slouch, but will they be able to keep up with the offensive fire power of the Steelers? New England, led by Brady and coach Bill Belichick, have always been successful in the playoffs, but will that remain true with yet another trip to the Super Bowl?

If there is any team in the AFC that can beat New England, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense has been playing great as of late, but they will have one of their toughest challenges of the year when they go up against Tom Brady. The ageless wonder known as James Harrison has led the new version of the Steel Curtain, but some young players such as Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree have made the defense a threat. As for the offense, what much more is there to say? Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell have been unstoppable all season, and they look to stay that way. However, they were halted by the Kansas City red zone defense last week, not scoring a single touchdown. Instead, kicker Chris Boswell set an NFL postseason record of six field goals to lead them to victory. If the offense can get in the end zone this week, they will be hard to beat.

Predicted Winner: Pittsburgh

Yes, it’s a bias pick, but can you blame me? The Steelers are the hottest team in football right now, winners of nine straight games. The offense just needs to start getting six points instead of three, and they will definitely do that more than once this week. The Patriots are an amazing football team, but they haven’t had much competition all season. Pittsburgh will be their first true test, and it’s quite possible that they will fail.