2015 NFL playoff predictions (Part 3 - Championship)

Welcome to Part 3 of NFL playoff predictions by Thunderbirds101 and AT88TV! The Divisonal games have concluded, with home field advantage proving itself valuable, unlike the Wild Card round. The Broncos held strong to knock out the Steelers. The Patriots smothered the Chiefs and their winning streak. The Panthers narrowly escaped a relentless comeback by the Seahawks. Finally, the Cardinals broke the hearts of the Packers in an overtime thriller.

Here are our picks for the Championship games.

Thunderbirds101's picks

AFC

#2 New England Patriots vs #1 Denver Broncos
We've seen this duel before. The Patriots will be hungry for a chance to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, while Denver wants a chance to play in a Super Bowl and not end up annihilated 43-8. This will be a duel for the ages, much like the thriller between the Cardinals and the Packers. Still, there can be only one.

Prediction:
Patriots win, 38-31.

Result:
Broncos win, 20-18.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game

I'm delighted I predicted incorrectly. 

A number of disastrous misplays by the Patriots - including two interceptions and a missed PAT - allowed Peyton Manning to bring the Broncos back to the Super Bowl for the first time since they were annihilated two years ago by the Seahawks. Perhaps Manning may yet find redemption. The Broncos await the winner of the Panthers/Cardinals duel.

NFC

#2 Arizona Cardinals vs. #1 Carolina Panthers
The Cardinals are fresh off a thrilling overtime victory over the Packers, while the Panthers survived a relentless second-half comeback by the Seahawks. Both the Cardinals and Panthers still wish for their first Super Bowl victory. The Cardinals won't get the chance to the chance to exact revenge over the Steelers, but the Panthers still have a chance to exact revenge over the Patriots, who they fought - and lost - in Super Bowl 38. Again, there can be only one.

Prediction:
Panthers win, 34-28.

Result:
Panthers win, 49-15.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game

Cardinals fans as the team imploded.

Panthers fans as the thrashing intensified.

Unbelievable. Seven turnovers by the Cardinals allowed the Panthers to maul the Cardinals into humiliation; the Cardinals were unable to mount even a marginal comeback. The Panthers outplayed the Cardinals at every moment, mounting a relentless attack that refused to wane even as the lead continued to grow into double digits. The Cardinals return to the desert with their heads held low while the Panthers move on to face Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

AT88TV's picks

AFC

#2 New England Patriots vs #1 Denver Broncos

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Prediction:
Patriots win.

Result:
Broncos win.

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD

NFC

#2 Arizona Cardinals vs. #1 Carolina Panthers

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Prediction:
Panthers win.

Result:
Panthers win.

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD