Big time games kick off this weekend in the NFL, as we have BOTH the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday. We have to take a look at both of them, but we’ll start with the NFC that features two offenses that have recently shown that they can put some serious points on the board. This is the San Francisco 49ers, who are the second seed in the NFC, against the top seed in the Atlanta Falcons. There are some great match-ups to watch for in this one, but obviously one that catches my attention is the duel that we’ll have between quarterbacks, as Colin Kaepernick put up 181 rushing yards last week and has one heck of an arm, and Matt Ryan has led a great Falcons’ passing game so far this season. It’ll be a fun one, and kick off is set for 3:00pm EST on Sunday.

The Niners’ offense is just a completely different look and feel since Kaepernick took over for Alex Smith. He runs pretty much whenever he wants, but has shown the ability to hit open receivers consistently as well. I love the way this offense looks and it’s helped Frank Gore put up some big games as well. The 49ers defense is going to have a tough task though on Sunday as they are going to be up against this offense with Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, and Jacquizz Rodgers, who can all make plays in the passing game.

The Falcons on the other side are going to air it out, and they are going to do it often. I don’t think there’s much hiding that, and even though Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers are going to get some love in the running game, it’s going to be passing game vs. passing game in my opinion. Expect Atlanta to be able to put some points on the board, but to struggle a bit against that 49ers offense that has the ability to both run and pass the ball very well this season.

Odds and Sports Betting Line

• San Francisco 49ers: -4
• Atlanta Falcons: +4

Free Prediction and Pick

I love the NFC and AFC Championship games, but they can be tough calls in terms of betting. While the Falcons are the home team in this one, I think that they’ll get a bit of momentum out of the gate and probably use the crowd to take advantage of that home field advantage. I do NOT think that this will translate into a win though, as the 49ers offense can simply hit you from too many ways, and just has too many weapons right now. I’m going to go with the 49ers to get the win, but it’ll be in a close one and it will probably come late in the fourth quarter from a drive resulting in a big field goal. With that that being said though, I’m still going with the Atlanta Falcons to be able to cover the +4 on Sunday.

• Prediction: San Francisco 49ers- 27 Atlanta Falcons- 24
• Pick: Atlanta Falcons +4