I really like what
Case Keenum's been doing in Minnesota this season. Surrounded with talented playmakers and playing with a lot of confidence, Keenum's playing with house money at this point because this Minnesota team is the best opportunity he's going to get. It's been a lot of fun watch, and I hope it lasts a few more weeks.
Matt Ryan's
Falcons are well positioned to win because they are peaking at the right time.
The defense is starting to play at a high level and the offense is finally finding its identity under first-year coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Given that Ryan still has a connection with
Julio Jones and
Mohamed Sanu and is backed by a strong run game, I can see the
Falcons hoisting the Lombardi at the end of the tournament.
Seeing how
Blake Bortles did
against the Bills in the wild-card game (87 pass yards, 88 rush yards), you'd think he'd be a longshot. But Jacksonville's defense is good enough to carry him and the offense. The
Jaguars have allowed fewer than 10 points in eight games this season (including playoffs) -- four more than any other team -- and rank in the top two in almost every major category. A strong defensive performance plus a consistent run game led by rookie
Leonard Fournette could be the winning formula.
There's a lot of motivation to become the first home team at a
Super Bowl, and the
Vikings have all the tools. The offense is taking care of the ball and the defense is the best in the league. Minnesota has a really good chance to do something special as a team, so I'm taking Keenum on this one.
It's going to be
Matt Ryan who wins his first ring. This team is clicking and is tough to stop. Plus, the defense is playing lights out right now. The unit ranked eighth in the league in points allowed (19.7) and has given up only two offensive touchdowns in its last two games. Atlanta might have been the 6 seed, but it isn't playing like one.
