Only four teams remain in the hunt for a Super Bowl Championship and after tonight, the stage will be set for the best day of the sports year. On one side stand the Ravens and the Patriots and on the other, the Giants and the 49ers. All four teams have won Super Bowls, but it has been a few years since they have competed.

The first game of the day features the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. Joe Flacco has done a great job in recent years of leading the Ravens to playoff berths and some decent playoff runs, but this year the Baltimore faithful want him to take it to the next level. This Sunday, he has the chance to do just that. The Patriot’s pass defense is one of the worst in the league. Though Flacco isn’t the best passer, he will be able to do a great job against this defense. With over 3,000 yards this season, Flacco will be able to add at least 300 more to that total. His only downside has been his inability to take care of the football. The 12 interceptions and the 9 fumbles have been killing the Ravens all year and the Patriot’s defense will be able to take advantage. Ray Rice will be the Raven’s X factor. He couldn’t get started against the Texans and the stout Pat’s D has the ability to stop him again. If Rice can get going, it will change the whole attitude of the game.

The Patriot’s offense has the same spark as it did back in ’07. Tom Brady looks better than ever and would have the MVP award in hand if only Drew Brees didn’t play so well this year. Brady’s 5,235 yards through the air this season have been the best part of the offense. They average over 300 yards a game through the air which is second best in the league. The running game isn’t the best, but it gets the job done when it needs to. The X factor will be Rob Gronkowski. His size is a terrible mismatch for the Raven’s defense and quite frankly, Gronk has been on fire all season. He will be able to take advantage of the defense and make huge gains.

                Who wins? This will be a close one for a very long time. If the Raven’s defense stops the Pat’s offense, there could be blood in the water. The Patriots are on a roll that doesn’t look like it will ever end. I got the Pats 31-20.

                The late game has the Giants taking on the 49ers in Candlestick. The 49ers have not been in this position for years and if you would have told me Alex Smith would lead a team to the NFC Championship a few years ago, I would have called you crazy. Believe it folks, Alex Smith has turned into a clutch QB who has the ability to possibly win it all. The offense lives and dies by him. If he doesn’t have a good game, the Niners could be in trouble. Frank Gore will need to have a big game as well. He is the only 49er that could take the game over if Alex Smith fails. The X factor has to be the 49er offensive line. They have the challenge of stopping the tough Giants front four. A good game from them could be what puts them in the Super Bowl.

                The Giants are looking like the Packers did last year. They were on the brink of elimination long before the playoffs started. Eli Manning has had his men rolling and he looks like the man that took down everyone back in 2007. The key to this game will be the Giant’s running game. They need Bradshaw and Jacobs to step up and have a big game. The X factor will be the secondary. If the Giant’s cornerbacks have a bad day, it could be the end of the road for the G-men.

                Who wins? I think the key to this game will be the experience. The 49ers have never been in this position. Many Giants players have been to a Super Bowl and won it. I got the New York Football Giants in a 24-10 game.