NFL picks: Conference Championships

PACKERS (-7) vs. Giants
Andy: Packers. I like the way the G-men have been playing, but the Pack have consistently shown that they can acquire and build a lead, especially at home, and especially in the cold. It seems that every time I picked against them I was wrong, so I'm riding the boys from Wisconsin.
Nick: Pack. The Packers are on fire ATS (against the spread), and like the Patriots and Brady, Favre and the Packers are nearly unbeatable at Lambeau when it's cold. I love this game, and it will set up a David and Goliath Super Bowl matchup that's certain to be the most-watched television event in United States history (your days in the top spot are numbered, M*A*S*H* finale).

PATRIOTS (-14) vs. Jaguars
Andy: This was -14 when I first posted it; it's since moved to -14.5. I find that a little odd - anyone I talk to is afraid to lay 14 in a championship game, and I thought maybe that would be the prevailing opinion and the line would drop to get more Patriots action. Nope. I'm still taking SD, banged-up or not.
Nick: Pats. I've been back and forth on this game all week, and it's too many points for me to feel comfortable putting money on it, but I'd take New England if I had a gun to my head. This would be a good line to buy down to -13.5, and alot of sportsbooks were giving -13.5 on Friday. The Brady-era Patriots are ridiculous in the playoffs, especially at home. Nobody's debating that the Patriots will win the game, it's just a question of how much they win by, and in the NFL, it's a bad idea to bet an underdog if you don't think they can win outright.