Matchups to Watch for NFL Conference Championship Weekend

The NFL is a beautiful game—a dance and chess match all rolled up into one. The moves in the battle of wits on the sidelines and between the chess pieces on the field will provide dramatic theater in the conference championship games this weekend.

Which matchups will go the longest way toward deciding this weekend's games, based on each team's respective strengths and weaknesses? Bleacher Report breaks down the marquee ones with a fine-tooth comb right here.

We get to see the one-year difference between the New England Patriots having Aqib Talib get knocked out of an AFC Championship Game (by Wes Welker last year) versus having one of the best shutdown corners of all time, Darrelle Revis. A Hilton will visit Revis Island—the Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton, that is.

There is a rematch between the bouncer Rob Gronkowski and the man he "threw out of the club," Sergio Brown. The way the last one turned out, the Colts might want to get Brown's back in that nightclub fight.

We will see how the Seattle Seahawks defense tests the mobility of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his calf injury. It will be much better for Rodgers to have right-side pass-protector Bryan Bulaga healthy this go-around.

And, like every week, seeing how opposing teams try to attack the Seahawks' Legion of Boom with their set of wide receivers is always dramatic. We will see if Richard Sherman gets another NFC championship opportunity to call out "a sorry receiver" like he did with Michael Crabtree a year ago. Be careful of getting put on blast, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.

Finally, who can stop Beast Mode, other than the media, which have him verbally clammed up? Clay Matthews is the name brand who will try. We cannot wait to watch that one.



Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330734-matchups-to-watch-for-nfl-conference-championship-weekend