Of course most of us are aware of the National Football League (NFL). We all get hyped for our home teams, cheer on with friends, and enjoy the game. Obviously, our own New York teams were a bit horrific this year, but we still have four other teams in the playoffs to root for!

Each team left in the playoffs got to this point of the season because they are good, of course. Which teams are good enough to advance to the Super Bowl, the championship game of the NFL season? This year, the Super Bowl will be hosted at the University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1^st in Glendale, Arizona. The Indianapolis Colts take a trip to Foxborough, Massachusetts to compete against the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers booked tickets to visit the Seattle Seahawks. Neither of these games are easy decisions; so digging into the statistics for each team is essential for deciding the winners.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: 

Colts analysis: The Colts have one of the more efficient passing games in the league. Their quarterback, Andrew Luck, seems to be the franchise player for the team. He’s been looking good in the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. The biggest problem with Luck right now is the turnover rate. Luck will be facing an elite defense in Foxborough, and it is likely that Luck will give the ball back to the Patriot’s offense at least once. As far as the rushing game goes, Dan Herron needs to step up against a tough defensive line to be able to push out any affective plays. Defensively, the Colts will have to rely on their defensive backs and linebackers, due to the lack of elite players on the defensive line. The Patriots have said they are going to use their rushing game much more, so this could become a problem if the Colts don’t keep up with it, too.

Patriots analysis: There are three people that lead the offense for the Patriots: Tom Brady, Tom Brady, and Tom Brady (Did I forget to mention Tom Brady?). In all seriousness, the Patriots went clutch in the Divisional round of the playoffs by sweeping away a 14-point deficit to overcome the Baltimore Ravens and advance to the AFC Championship game. The passing attack is perfect and there is no doubt about it. Tom Brady still has the arm he has had since he became the head of the franchise, which will be key against a Colts defense led mostly by the defensive backs. The Patriots said that the rushing game will be brought back in, and the variety of running backs they have in their offense will serve as a major role. The Patriots defense is full of veteran players that are able to produce big plays. As long as the Patriots play like they usually are, they can easily take the game away.

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks:

Packers analysis: It’s hard to have an offense that is pretty much perfect. This regular season, the Packers even proved that they were too perfect. Aaron Rodgers was the representative of the Packers offense. With efficient wide receivers and an effective running back, the Packers could get a lot of points on the board if they bring the energy from Lambeu Field (the Packer’s home field, where they didn’t lose any games at the field this season) to Seattle. The only downside to the Packers would be their defensive disadvantages. Their defense is almost perfect, but the lack of an effective defensive line hurts the defensive running game. Linebackers will have to lead the defense to stop one of the NFL’s best running backs. In summary, the Packers need to be better than the best to win.

Seahawks analysis: The Seahawks have a complete team with several franchise players on both sides of the ball. On the offense, the running back and quarterback, Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson, lead the team to the elite group they are. Russell Wilson has been a playmaker all season, and Marshawn Lynch could bring down the Seattle Space Needle if he wanted to. The rushing game will be a priority over the Packers’ lack of a defensive line. On the defense, the four-man group known as the ‘Legion of Boom’ reign. Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas III, and Byron Maxwell are the biggest threat as far as pass defense goes. To get the football past the elite defensive backs would be a miracle. But what about their rushing defense? Actually, that’s near perfection as well. Unless the Packers use some clutch maneuvers, the Seahawks could have a very easy trip to their 2^nd consecutive Super Bowl visit.

Each of the teams in the AFC and NFC Championship games all have the ability to win these games. Unfortunately, only two of the four can proceed towards the greatest stage of them all. To decide who is going to win the championships is still a mystery. Both games will be played on January 18^th. The Packers and Seahawks will face off at 3:05pm on the FOX network, and the Colts and Patriots will battle at 6:40pm on the CBS network.