NFC and AFC Championships Preview 2018

NFC starting quarterbacks 

Case Keenum and Nick Foles 

are both former Rams

Minnesota (-3) @ Philadelphia - Both teams have had great seasons and have exceeded most people expectations after losing their starting quarterbacks.  The Vikings also lost their starting running back Dalvin Cook for the season but have rushed the ball well despite his absence.   

Minnesota been the more potent team on offense not only indicated by the heroics of Steffon Diggs in a buzzer beating win but Adam Thielen who always seems to find the openings which made him fifth in receiving yards in the 2017-18 regular season .  The Vikings may be a tougher test for the Eagles than the Falcons, who never seemed to find their consistency week to week after the departure of Kyle Shanahan.  The Vikings and Eagles both have both have good defenses and while the Eagles secondary isn't as stout, they do have the advantage of playing at home.

I am leaning more towards the Minnesota here because of what Case Keenum has done this season including a 12-3 record in games where he has more than 20 passing attempts.  Nick Foles in the meantime has a 3-1 record as a starter for Philadelphia but the sample size is smaller and the margin of wins have been relatively thin.

Jacksonville @ New England (-7.5) - Jacksonville looked formidable against Pittsburgh.  There is a roadmap for the Jaguars to win this game by pressuring Tom Brady into mistakes.  That being said, Tom Brady has been pretty mistake free this season compared to Big Ben and the Steelers.  Brady had less interceptions (4) the entire season then Ben Roethlisberger had against the Jaguars during the regular season (5).

The cold weather as well as Tom Brady's hand injury could have an effect but we should not forget that Leonard Fournette is also banged up and playing with an ankle injury.