Shawn Marosek's Conference Championship Picks

Chargers at Patriots

Even though I'll be rooting hard for the Chargers, I can't see going against the heavily favored New England Patriots. Many people think this game is going to be a blowout. Not me. The Chargers will be in it most of the way. I think they will be down 7-10 points the entire game. Their gutty win last week against the Indianapolis Colts showed what this team is all about. They woon't beat the Pats, but they will make a game out of it. And if the wind plays a big factor in this game, then I could see Tom Brady being affected by it. The last time the Patriots had a windy game in Foxboro, Brady had a very off day against the hapless Jets. The Patriots will more than likely be in the Super Bowl and the talk of being the first 19-0 team will continue for two more long weeks. Patriots 24 Chargers 17


Giants at Packers

This one will be a close game. Brett Favre is the feel good story of the year and I can see why so many people are rooting for him in this game. I probably won't have a rooting interest in this game, which makes me want a close game even more. My gut feeling is that the Giants will be right in this game toward the very end, but I think Eli comes up just short on the final drive. Favre won't have his greatest game, but I think it will be good enough to beat the Giants. New York's corners are a weak spot and I can see Favre putting up a couple fast scores with touchdown passes to Donald Driver or Greg Jennings. It looks like it will be a rematch of Super Bowl 31 as the Packers will meet the undefeated Patriots two weeks from now in Arizona. Packers 20 Giants 16

Shawn Marosek