AFC and NFC Championship-Injury updates and Picks

As we head into the Championship weekend of the NFL Playoffs, everybody has dissected and analyzed every aspect of these matchups. I’m just excited to see the games kickoff. The games begin tomorrow with Baltimore visiting Foxboro to take on the Patriots on CBS with kickoff scheduled for shortly after 3:00 ET. After that game wraps up everyone will direct their attention to the other end of the country where the San Francisco 49ers will host the NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants with kickoff at shortly after 6:30 ET.

Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed are ready to bring the pain to the Pats. What players might miss the game due to pain? Find out after the jump. (Patrick Semansky / AP)

They should be two compelling games with no clear favorite in either game. My picks for the weekend are at the bottom of this post, but no outcome would shock me since all four of these teams have flaws but all four of these teams have looked like champions at different times during their seasons. Let’s take a look at the latest on all the injuries these teams will have to deal with, and then my picks…

Injury updates:

Baltimore Ravens

Ed Reed-Had X-rays on his ankle after last week’s game but should be all set for this week. He’ll play, but ankles can get reinjured easily.

Jameel McClain-did not re-injure his knee last week and should be ready to roll against the Pats offense.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady-Not that there ever really was any concern, but Brady has been removed from the injury report.

Aaron Hernandez-listed as questionable (along with 13 other Patriots), but he’s fully expected to play Sunday.

Wes Welker-no danger of Wes missing this one.

New York Giants

Eli Manning-Manning practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is listed as “probable.” He seems to be over the flu that knocked him out of Wednesday’s practice.

Hakeem Nicks-Nicks was added to the injury report with an ankle issue that limited him in Friday’s practice. It’s not a concern for his availability Sunday.

Ahmad Bradshaw-returned to practice Friday and is listed probable. He’s missed mid-week practice all year.

Jake Ballard-Ballard has had knee issues and is officially “questionable.” He said he’ll be in there, and I’d be surprised if he isn’t although he’s likely to be a gametime decision.

San Francisco 49ers

Ted Ginn-Ginn is most likely to be a game-time decision. He “did some things” Friday in practice, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be full speed even if he goes. The local writers seem pretty pessimistic that he’ll be in there.

Delanie Walker-Walker hopes to return from his broken jaw against the team he had his best game against receivin, the Giants. He’s more of a blocking TE and could be a big help to Frank Gore if he’s in there. The Doctor’s will make the call probably around gametime.

Picks

AFC Championship: New England 34, Baltimore 20 -full analysis here

NFC Championship: San Francisco 23, New York 17 -full analysis here

Tags: AFC Championship, Championship Playoff Week, injury report, NFC Championship, NFL Picks, NFL playoffs