NFL playoff picks, predictions: NFC, AFC championship games against the spread

Welcome back for the conference championship round of the 2015 NFL playoffs! The final four features some high quality football teams, and we should have two excellent games on Sunday. The two games both go down on Sunday, kicking off at 12:05 p.m. PT, when the Seattle Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers on FOX. That game is followed by the New England Patriots hosting the Indianapolis Colts on CBS. That game kicks off at 3:40 p.m. PT.

Last week was not an inspiring performance for me, but I did show modest improvement. After a 1-3 wild card round, I was 2-2 against the spread in the divisional round. I hit on the Seahawks winning and covering, and I was correct on the Cowboys covering. I picked them in the upset, so no points in my straight up picks. I almost got the Patriots cover against the Ravens, but came up a couple points short.

No. 1 Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) over No. 2 Green Bay Packers: I was very tempted by the Packers in this one. I think that in spite of the ugly loss in Seattle to start the season, Green Bay could bounce back in this one. I don't think they get pounded, but I could see them eventually losing by low double digits. The Seahawks are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games, and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games. I am going to ride those streaks, and if they should be snapped, well, I think I'll find a way to survive. Particularly if the Packers can manage an outright win.

No. 4 Indianapolis Colts (+7) over No. 1 New England Patriots: The Colts are coming off a huge upset, and I think they can continue their run. I am picking the Patriots to win this game, but I think it's going to be real close. The Patriots are 2-4-1 ATS in their last seven games, but 5-2 ATS in their last seven against Indianapolis. It's not a huge streak by any means, but I'm ready to go against it anyway. I still think the Patriots win and we have a Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl.