2013 NFL Picks for Conference Championships

I redeemed myself at least a little bit last week, as I went 3-1 after a terrible 0-4 start to the playoffs. Once again, I can kick myself for going with an upset pick, as that was my only loss (San Fran beat Carolina on the road). Much like last year, all 4 games were entertaining. Now for the Conference Championship picks:

Sunday
AFC: New England Patriot at Denver Broncos
NFC: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

no upset picks this week


Previous Results
Week 1: 11-5
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 7-9
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-6
Week 7: 8-7
Week 8: 9-4
Week 9: 7-6
Week 10: 6-8
Week 11: 9-6
Week 12: 7-6-1
Week 13: 11-5
Week 14: 11-5
Week 15: 8-8
Week 16: 10-6
Week 17: 13-3
Season: 153-102-1 (60%)

Wild Card: 0-4
Divisional: 3-1
Playoffs: 3-5 (37.5%)

3 Eagles named Pro Bowl starters

Congrats to LeSean McCoy, Jason Peters, and Jason Babin, named Pro Bowl starters for the NFC as RB, T, and DE respectively.  At least we'll be able to watch some Eagles play football past January.

Also a congrats to 49ers Kicker David Akers for starting yet another Pro Bowl, and for breaking San Fran's single season points record as well as the NFL record for field goals made in a season.

Full NFC and AFC Pro Bowl rosters at CBS Sports.

What if the Eagles didn't blow those 4th quarter leads?

The NFC standings would be different, that's for sure.  As they are now:

NFC

East

• 6-3 NY Giants
• 5-4 Dallas Cowboys
• 3-6 Philadelphia Eagles
• 3-6 Washington Redskins

North

• 9-0 Green Bay Packers
• 6-3 Detroit Lions
• 6-3 Chicago Bears
• 2-7 Minnesota Vikings

South

• 7-3 New Orleans Saints
• 5-4 Atlanta Falcons
• 4-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2-7 Carolina Panthers

West

• 8-1 San Francisco 49ers
• 3-6 Seattle Seahawks
• 3-6 Arizona Cardinals
• 2-7 St. Louis Rams

The Eagles blew 4th quarter leads in 5 of their 6 losses, versus the Falcons, Giants, 49ers, Bears, and Cardinals.  I don't think it's unreasonable to assume the Eagles could have won each one of those games, considering the late blown leads.  Here's the updated standings had they won:

NFC

East

• 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles
• 5-4 NY Giants
• 5-4 Dallas Cowboys
• 3-6 Washington Redskins

North

• 9-0 Green Bay Packers
• 6-3 Detroit Lions
• 5-4 Chicago Bears
• 2-7 Minnesota Vikings

South

• 7-3 New Orleans Saints
• 4-5 Atlanta Falcons
• 4-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2-7 Carolina Panthers

West

• 7-2 San Francisco 49ers
• 3-6 Seattle Seahawks
• 2-7 Arizona Cardinals
• 2-7 St. Louis Rams

As you can see, the Eagles would have a commanding lead in the NFC East, with the Giants in the middle of the Wild Card hunt.  The Bears, who have recently had a resurgence, would also be in the middle of the Wild Card hunt and not leading it/favored to win.  The Falcons, who have stumbled as of late, would give the Saints control of the NFC South and be at the bottom of the possible Wild Card teams.  For the NFC West, the Cardinals would share the basement with the Rams instead of being a game up, so no significance there.  However, had the 49ers lost, they'd have been 2-2 at the time as opposed to the much better 3-1.  They've won several close games this season, and it's possible the Eagles game gave them some momentum (it certainly took away any the Eagles were hoping to gain).  They'd probably still be leading the West, but it would be a much different division.

If the Eagles continue to blow leads, I might have to do another one of theses "what ifs".  Stay tuned.