Battle-hardened Pittsburgh have momentum behind them, plus three other teams who can continue on the road to Super Bowl 50 this weekend
5/2 – Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Denver Broncos
After a rough affair in Ohio last week, the Steelers head into their game against the Broncos a little bruised but certainly battle-hardened.
They just scraped past the Cincinnati Bengals late on Saturday evening but, with that momentum behind them, they can get a result at Mile High.
Their high-powered attack, fuelled by the likes of Antonio Brown and Martavius Bryant, should have enough to beat a defence that have looked a little tired in the last few weeks.
That side of the ball has been the backbone of Denver this season as their offence has stuttered under both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler.
It will be the former starting this one and although he is a sure-fire hall-of-famer, Peyton cannot carry the offence anymore and without much of a run game that is a real worry.
With the Steelers showing their defence is not the pushover that many expected, their championship pedigree and the enduring high from last week should see them through in this one.
19/10 – Kansas City Chiefs to beat New England Patriots
The Chiefs finally ended their play-off heartache last week as they ran straight through the Houston Texans in a blow-out victory.
While their offence did not quite click as they hoped, their defence really stepped it up by completely nullifying their opponents and creating plenty of turnovers.
That means they can only improve – which is worrying after a terrific result that saw them extend their run to 11 straight victories.
The Patriots really stuttered across the line in the end as they failed to seal the top seed and look very ordinary on offence, which sounds strange to say.
It will be their defence that they will lean on – which has been superb this season – but if they fail to get their playmakers back on offence then it could be a long night.
Kansas City will not be as afraid of travelling to Foxborough having won there last season, and must feel that this could be a golden chance to make the Super Bowl.
10/31 – Arizona Cardinals to beat Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers appeared to finally rediscover their offence against the Redskins on Sunday as they stormed past the NFC East champions.
While their defence played a decent game, it was Aaron Rodgers that pushed them to the next level and, against an average opponent, they eventually got over the line.
However, they will not be afforded the same luxuries they faced in Washington against an impressive Arizona Cardinals defence.
Despite losing their potential defensive MVP Tyrann Mathieu, that unit is still stacked with impressive players and veterans putting it all on the line for the team.
Bruce Arians has done a terrific job – they are dangerous on both sides of the ball and, having battered Green Bay a few weeks ago, they will fancy their chances of repeating the feat.
In the end, while the Packers should put up more of a challenge, Arizona are just too good to be denied the chance to fight in the NFC Championship game.
5/6 – Carolina Panthers to beat the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks had a close shave last week after the kicking gods shined on them with Blair Walsh fluffing the potential game-winner for the Minnesota Vikings last week.
Their offence really struggled in incredibly cold conditions Minneapolis – with temperatures dipping below -21 degrees – but they still managed to grind out a result right at the death.
They have that championship pedigree and have been here before but their next hurdle could be just a bridge too far for last year’s Super Bowl runners-up.
The Panthers have been nothing short of sensational this season and despite the one loss blemishing their record, they have been by far the most consistent team in the entire NFL.
Cam Newton is an almost certain league MVP turning unheard of receivers into household names and their defence is impressive – both in the front seven and in the secondary.
Carolina know that they can beat the Seahawks having done it in the regular season, when they even came from behind to clinch victory, and that belief will help them march into the next round.
A £10 bet on this four-fold accumulator returns 246.11*.
*Odds and amounts correct at time of publication but subject to change. See site for latest.
