Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers are home favorites against the Arizona Cardinals next weekend. (Getty)
It’s difficult to believe that we actually get more playoff football in our lives after such an incredible gridiron weekend, but, sometimes the world is a wonderful place and there are more games.
After a incredible Divisional Round slate, we’ve got two games on the schedule this upcoming Sunday as four teams battle for a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
The AFC gets things started with the 17th matchup between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the first game of the day. Then, on the NFC side of things, the Arizona Cardinals head to the Carolina Panthers in another tilt between the top two seeds.
We’ve got a few days to prep ourselves for each matchup, so while we wait, check out the early-week odds for both games:
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
Spread: New England -3 via OddsShark
Prediction: Here’s something you’ve never heard before, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, facing off in the AFC Championship game. Actually, that’s something you’ve definitely heard before. Three times, in fact. The two quarterbacks will square off for the fourth time (and 17th time overall) in the championship game on Sunday. But while they’ll have to travel, it’s still difficult not to give the slim early-week pick to New England. The Patriots are, finally, starting to look a bit healthy and Brady is going to take serious advantage of it. This is, after all, the tenth AFC Championship game the QB has played in.
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Spread: Carolina -3 via OddsShark
Prediction: Home field advantage is important, but it may be particularly important in this game. Carolina has won a league-best 12 straight games at home, including last year’s 27-16 victory over the Cardinals in the playoffs. In their last four home games, the Panthers offense has been on a roll. They’ve averaged 39.2 points and opened Sunday’s Divisional Round by putting up 31 first half points on the Seattle Seahawks. So, sure, the Cardinals are riding some very serious OT momentum and Larry Fitzgerald is an absolute beast, but maybe it’s about time we also give Carolina some credit. If this offense gets going early, it’s going to be tough for another team to try and claw its way back in.