THE race to Super Bowl 50 is well under way and last week’s Wildcard weekend, the first round of the play-offs, threw up some surprises, with all four away teams winning for the first time in NFL history.

Each team was seeded at the end of the group stages, with week one of the play-offs seeing the lowest seeds - the Wildcards - travel to each group winner.

The NFL is split into two conferences; the NFC and the AFC. This week, there are four semi-finals to find out who will compete to win each conference. The winners will then go on to fight it out at Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7.

We’ve asked Swindon Storm trio (from left) Sean Harper, Dan Abrahams and Dan Thorne to make their predictions for this week’s games.

AFC PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ DENVER BRONCOS

Sean Harper: The beat-up Steelers team will snatch victory as bottom-seeded Pittsburgh beat the top-seeded Denver and quarterback Peyton Manning.

Steelers 24 Broncos 21

Dan Abrahams: Pittsburgh will fight hard to stay in the race but the injuries sustained against the Bengals will hold them from the win. Denver will replace their legendary quarterback Peyton Manning with upcoming star Brock Osweiler at some point during the game.

Steelers 20 Broncos 17

Dan Thorne: The Steelers just keep finding ways to win. Even with their growing injury list, I think they will gut out another tough win to beat a good Broncos team.

Steelers 10 Broncos 24

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

SH: The Patriots will see their healthy players return as Steven Jackson makes a big impact against a tough Chiefs defence.

Chiefs 17 Patriots 28

DA: The Patriots may have had a bye, but Kansas will keep their momentum since travelling to Wembley in the international game.

Chiefs 21 Patriots 17

DT: The Chiefs’ defence has been their strength but their offense won’t be able to keep up with the Patriots now that Tom Brady has his weapons back. The Pats know how to win in the play-offs and will stop the Chiefs’ hot streak.

Chiefs 17 Patriots 27

NFC SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS

SH: This is the battle of the mobile quarterbacks. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson will lead a late comeback in the fourth quarter, with running back Marshawn Lynch sticking it to the Panthers at their own ground.

Seahawks 17 Panthers 14

DA: Seattle showed their strength against Minnesota in the freezing temperatures but with Carolina coming off a bye week and Cam Newton at the helm, they will reach the next round.

Seahawks 14 Panthers 28

DT: The Seahawks have a very disciplined, aggressive defence that will stop Carolina quarterback Cam Newton from running game. I don’t think Newton can win through the air, whereas Seattle QB Russell Wilson can.

Seahawks 20 Panthers 14

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS 

SH: The Packers’ defence will hold veteran Cardinals quarterback Carlson Palmer for most of the game but ultimately lose to the multifaceted Arizona offence.

Packers 17 Cardinals 21

DA: Green Bay gathered some momentum last weekend but it won’t be enough to stop the Cardinals, who are looking to face off against the Panthers to win the NFC.

Packers 14 Cardinals 31

DT: Arizona will use all their weapons on offence to blow out the Packers, who haven’t been good for a few weeks now. Even Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t be able to work his magic against the Cardinal’s big defence.

Packers 17 Cardinals 31

  • SWINDON Storm, the town’s own American Football team, are hosting a Super Bowl party at Longs Bar, Old Town, on Sunday, February 7.

The event starts at 11.30pm and lasts until the early hours of the morning. Entry costs £5 and there will be unlimited Chicken Wings, Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Nachos all night.

  •  DO YOU have what it takes to play for the Storm? Player trials for the senior team (over 18s) will be held on Monday, February 8, at Kingsdown School from 6.45pm. All equipment is supplied. Visit www.swindonstorm.org to find out more .

Younger players over the age of 14 can also join the club’s youth and Under 21 teams. For more information, visit www.swindonstormjv.org.