Here are my picks for Sunday's games.
San Francisco 49ers AT Carolina Panthers(12-4) (12-4)
Rematch Sunday starts with the 49ers traveling to Carolina to face the Panthers. The Niners come into town with their number one receiver in the lineup, as Michael Crabtree has returned since these two teams last played, and his play is trending up with every week. This is game between two teams who mirror each others in many aspects. The Niners defense shows up every week without question, so the key to victory for San Francisco will be Frank Gore. Coach Harbaugh must establish Frank Gore as a runner in order to open the middle of the field up for tight end Vernon Davis and the aforementioned Crabtree. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick flatly stated "we owe them", referring to the 10-9 lost they suffered at the hands of the Panthers early this season. Kap needs to be efficient throwing and running the ball to escape Carolina with a win as turnovers against a team like the Panthers will certainly put you in a hole.
Cam Newton has lead the Panthers to the NFC South crown and the playoffs for the first time in his three year career and this is just the beginning of things to come for the young star quarterback. He is the most important key to winning for the Panthers as they need him to stay the course of this season and not feel as he has to win big on every play in order to secure victory for his team. This Panthers team is different, armed with a top ranked , opportunistic defense. The same unit that cost the team numerous wins in Newton's first two seasons has now become a strength. The Panthers must protect the ball and connect on the big plays that will be available to them against one of the top defenses over the past three years.
Prediction: Panthers 17 49ers 16
San Diego Chargers AT Denver Broncos (9-7) (13-3)
Fear the bolo! That seems to be the key to the Chargers late season run to make the playoffs for the first time in three years. Truthfully, Phillip Rivers and the Chargers have been playing pretty good football for the majority of the season and hit their stride late after a small midseason slump. Phillip Rivers looks like the elite quarterback he was three years ago and has shown more restraint and maturity in the office, which his lead to a decrease in turnovers and rise in efficiency. They found a gem to replace Vincent Jackson in rookie wide out Keenan Allen, the two headed monster at running back between Woodhead and Matthews is one of the best in the league, along with the aging but steady Antonio Gates. The key to victory for San Diego remains however, their defense, one that has forever brought the worst out of Peyton Manning and the return of Melvin Ingram makes that defense even tougher. San Diego's coaches are one of the best at disguising their defenses in order to confuse Manning at the line. Theses two AFC West rivals split their matchups this year and both were tightly contested, expect the same this time around as well.
Peyton Manning and the Bronco offense set all types of records this years but had some of their tougher games against the Chargers. The last time these two teams met, the Broncos were without wide receiver Wes Welker and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They both will be ready to play Sunday and I expect both to have a major impact on the game, especially Welker. With Welker working the slot, he will open the field up for Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker outside the numbers. The hard running of Knowshon Moreno gives a little balance to the offense and rooking Monte Ball has been more effective over the second half of the season. Look for Manning and the Broncos to be well prepared for some of the wrinkles that the Chargers through at them on defense, but I'm sure there will be a few additional ones thrown into the mix. Can Peyton conquer a defense that has routinely given him fits throughout his career? I believe so.
Prediction: Broncos 30 San Diego 20
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