{"id":2740,"date":"2017-01-22T08:43:36","date_gmt":"2017-01-22T13:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2740"},"modified":"2017-01-22T08:43:36","modified_gmt":"2017-01-22T13:43:36","slug":"nfc-conference-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2740","title":{"rendered":"NFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_2741\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2741\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2741\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta-1024x683.jpg?resize=584%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"It's go time!\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Atlanta.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s go time!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>While the AFC may be a foregone conclusion (Roid Rage does his best, but if even <a href=\"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2731\">he is picking the Patriots<\/a>, then it\u2019s a sure thing), the NFC is wide open.\u00a0 Both teams are playing top level football.\u00a0 The Falcons dismantled the Seahawks last week, and Green Bay won an instant classic against the Cowboys (thank you).\u00a0 Is there any doubt that kicker is the most intense, pressure-packed job in all of sports?<\/p>\n<p>Wait, can we talk about that Dallas\/Green Bay again for a second?\u00a0 That\u2019s everything you want in a game.\u00a0 Home team down 15 in the fourth quarter, they claw back, tie it up, and then Green Bay hits a pair of 50+ yarders.\u00a0 And that throw and catch.\u00a0 Hot damn.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2747\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2747\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2747\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook-1024x683.jpg?resize=584%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Damn.\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Jared-Cook.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2747\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Damn.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The best part? \u00a0All of these videos (and believe me, there are tons of them)<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bR0mvqpy5gM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Seriously, I could (and did) spend a whole day watching <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">the misery of others<\/span> passionate football fans commiserate a loss.\u00a0 What does that say about me?\u00a0 And then seeing this tweet from Skip Bayless, sad, sad, Cowboys homer.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Congratulations to Dak Prescott for again outplaying Aaron Rodgers, again holding off Romo and again performing like a clutch MVP.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RealSkipBayless\/status\/820799782629228545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 16, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Is there anything more annoying than a pompous sports writer who won\u2019t accept defeat?\u00a0 Joe Buck?\u00a0 Just kidding Joe, we love you.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2742\" style=\"width: 847px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Joe-Buck.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2742\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2742\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Joe-Buck.jpg?resize=584%2C670&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"We love you, Joe!\" width=\"584\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Joe-Buck.jpg?w=837&amp;ssl=1 837w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Joe-Buck.jpg?resize=262%2C300&amp;ssl=1 262w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Joe-Buck.jpg?resize=768%2C881&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2742\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We love you, Joe!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Anyway, let\u2019s get right to the matchup, which should be a good one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Green Bay at Atlanta (+6), Sunday 3:05 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Three words:\u00a0 Bet.\u00a0 The.\u00a0 Over.\u00a0 What\u2019s that, you say?\u00a0 The O\/U is 61?\u00a0 I don\u2019t care.\u00a0 Bet.\u00a0 The.\u00a0 Over.\u00a0 Need proof.\u00a0 In each of their last 5 games, Atlanta and Green Bay have scored at least 30 points (Atlanta topped 40 twice).\u00a0 Not surprisingly, the teams are a combined 10-0 over those games.<\/p>\n<p>And the scoring will not let up come game time.\u00a0 Forget what you\u2019ve heard that defense wins championships.\u00a0 Both teams are ranked in the 20\u2019s in overall defense.\u00a0 Sure, that\u2019s a risky strategy that\u2019s ultimately unsuccessful, regardless of the sport (see 2016 Golden State Warriors), but hey, it\u2019s worked so far for both teams.\u00a0 Why stop now?\u00a0 Ride that pony.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2743\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Matty-Ice.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2743\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2743\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Matty-Ice.jpg?resize=200%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Get it?\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Matty-Ice.jpg?w=200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Matty-Ice.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2743\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Get it?<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On paper, the edge goes to Atlanta.\u00a0 They have the most offensive balance (read:\u00a0 they actually have a running game).\u00a0 Don\u2019t call Devonta Freeman a change of pace back.\u00a0 He\u2019s a legit #1 back, and he and Tevin Coleman form the best 1-2 punch in the league.\u00a0 That keeps the defenses up front, which opens up the passing game for Matty Ice (it\u2019s cool to call him that again).\u00a0 And that passing game is more than just Julio Jones, although you don\u2019t really need much more.\u00a0 Mohammed Sanu is a solid #2, and we love what Taylor Gabriel brings.\u00a0 He\u2019s the real X-factor in their offense, and he tied with Julio for most receiving touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>For Green Bay, it\u2019s all about Aaron Rodgers.\u00a0 Everyone wants to <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2017\/01\/18\/olivia-munn-reportedly-at-center-of-aaron-rodgers-family-feud\/\">talk about his home life<\/a>, and his estrangement from his parents (note:\u00a0 I\u2019d choose Olivia Munn over my family too), but Aaron Rodgers is the hottest quarterback in the game.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2744\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Olivia-Munn.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2744\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2744\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Olivia-Munn.jpg?resize=584%2C292&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Totally worth never talking to your parents anymore.\" width=\"584\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Olivia-Munn.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Olivia-Munn.jpg?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Olivia-Munn.jpg?resize=500%2C250&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2744\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Totally worth never talking to your parents anymore.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Packers are riding an 8-game winning streak, during which Rodgers has thrown 21 touchdowns passes and only 1 interception.\u00a0 Daddy may not love him anymore, but who needs your parent\u2019s approval with numbers like that.\u00a0 Papa don\u2019t preach!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2745\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cheesehead.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2745\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2745\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cheesehead.jpeg?resize=584%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Replacement Dad.\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cheesehead.jpeg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cheesehead.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cheesehead.jpeg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2745\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Replacement Dad.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Oh yeah, these two played each other, Week 8, in Atlanta.\u00a0 The Falcons won 33-32, on a late touchdown pass to Sanu.\u00a0 Green Bay was up for most of the game, but Atlanta scored with 31 seconds left to squeak out a one point victory.\u00a0 In that game, the Packers shut down Julio, who only had 3 catches for 29 yards.\u00a0 The Pack will have to contain Julio again.\u00a0 He\u2019s got to be doubled plus you got to keep Clay and linebackers up front to respect the run.\u00a0 That will leave lots of open space in the middle and one-on-one coverage for Sanu and Gabriel (nerd alert:\u00a0 I love the chess match aspect of the NFL).<\/p>\n<p>So who will win?\u00a0 This one is tough to call, but there\u2019s a reason we\u2019re paid the big bucks.\u00a0 To make these sorts of decisions.\u00a0 Because we\u2019re super reliable.\u00a0 Like, it\u2019s 3 in the morning.\u00a0 Do you know where our kids are?\u00a0 Probably at the neighbor\u2019s house.\u00a0 Anyway, we just can\u2019t trust the Falcons.\u00a0 Kyle Shanahan already has one foot in San Fran (good luck with that clusterfuck of an organization) and [NFL conspiracy theory alert] what better way to get ratings up than to have the Packers back in the Super Bowl, the beloved franchise from the heartland.\u00a0 The Machine\u2019s money is on Green Bay to win straight up.\u00a0 But if you want a real bet, keep reading.<\/p>\n<p>Bet of the Week [only true gamblers need read on]:\u00a0 Tease the Packers and the over.\u00a0 Then you get Green Bay +13 and O\/U 54.\u00a0 For the truly <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">degenerate<\/span> devoted, tease the Packers and the under too (+13 and O\/U of 68).\u00a0 Print that money, homie.\u00a0 Not to toot our own horn (read: totally tooting that shit) but if you\u2019ve been betting on our playoff picks, you\u2019ve been cleaning up (you\u2019re welcome).\u00a0 We were 2-0 last week ATS (and straight up).\u00a0 Time to start making that money!\u00a0 That deck ain\u2019t gonna pay for itself.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Final Score:\u00a0 Green Bay 34, Atlanta 30<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2746\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2746\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2746\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?resize=584%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Insert Farmer's daughter fantasy.\" width=\"584\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Green-Bay-Bikini-Girls.png?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2746\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Insert Farmer&#8217;s daughter fantasy.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While the AFC may be a foregone conclusion (Roid Rage does his best, but if even he is picking the Patriots, then it\u2019s a sure thing), the NFC is wide open.\u00a0 Both teams are playing top level football.\u00a0 The Falcons &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2740\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2740","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Bp3y-Ic","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2740","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2740"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2740\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2748,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2740\/revisions\/2748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2740"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2740"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2740"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}