NFL Update

After a somewhat uneventful divisional round weekend, the NFL has on paper at least, two compelling conference championship games.

In the earlier start, the AFC one seed, Denver Broncos have been established as four and a fraction favorites vs the New England Patriots. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. eastern time which I believe is 1 p.m. in Denver which is the venue.

Later in the day, the NFC one seed Seattle Seahawks are about a three and a fraction favorite vs the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title tilt. The game is scheduled for six thirty p.m. in Seattle (three thirty local time) on Sunday.

Both the 49ers and Patriots will be playing in their third straight conference title game. Each team is (1-1) in the previous two games. Neither team won the Super Bowl after its victory in the title game/semi final round.

In 2011, the Patriots won the AFC Title game vs the Baltimore Ravens but lost to the Ravens in last year’s game. After beating the Ravens in 2011, the New York Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

The Niners’ fortunes the last two years are similar. They lost to the Giants in the 2011 NFC championship before beating the Atlanta Falcons in last year’s game. However, as was the case with the Pats in 2011, the Niners were denied the big prize, losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl.