Conference Championship Picks!

We have the reached Championship Sunday in the NFL. It is the last, really good Sunday of football until next September. Two games back-to-back with the right to go to the Super Bowl. We have two 2 seeds and two 6 seeds vying for a chance to head to Dallas and Super Bowl XLV. Also, we have both games being played in classic NFL cities, Chicago and Pittsburgh, where elements like cold, wind and snow will play a role in these contests. The NFL is happy because anyway you slice it, they will have an attractive matchup for Super Bowl. Onto to the picks for Championship Sunday........

Last Week's Record: 2-2
Overall Playoff Record: 3-5
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

NFC Championship: CHICAGO (+3) over Green Bay:
Why I like the Bears: Although Green Bay has looked really good the last month, no one is really picking the Bears at all. I just think that the Bears matchup very well with Green Bay. They beat them early in the season in Chicago, and they lost 10-3 to the Packers in Week 17 at Lambeau with absolutely nothing to play for. The Bears defense might be able to slowdown Aaron Rodgers. The homefield will play a role in this game. After watching Green Bay dismantle Atlanta last week in the Georgia Dome, many people think the Packers are a perfect dome team- and they are. Too bad this game isn't in a dome. The cold and the wind will take its toll on the Packers offense. I think it slows them down just a bit. The Bears offense has been more balanced and Jay Cutler hasn't made many mistakes lately. Think about it: The Bears have a good defense, a dangerous returner who controls field position, balance on offense, and a big-play quarterback. That is the recipe to get them to the Super Bowl and a get a victory over the Pack.

A Case for the Packers: The Packers are probably the better team, and Aaron Rodgers is playing at a Joe Montana-like level right now. Their offense is so explosive, and he spreads the ball to all different receivers. Their defense is very good, and Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and Tramon Williams make a few impact plays a game. You could just see them harrasing Cutler all day and forcing him into those two or three interceptions. This Packer team is hitting on all cylinders at the right time, and they just have that look of a Super Bowl team.

FINAL SCORE: I will be rooting for the Packers to win this game and they are the better team. I have nothing against them, and I feel they deserve vindication for going with Rodgers and divorcing Brett Favre. I hate Cutler and this Bears team does nothing for me. With that said, I think the Bears will win this game somehow. Maybe their defense forces an unexpected turnover, maybe Cutler makes a huge play, or maybe Soldier Field's sloppy track makes a difference. Somehow, I see the Bears winning and going to the Super Bowl.
Bears-24 Packers-17


AFC Championship: New York Jets (+3) over PITTSBURGH:
Why I like the Jets: Quite simply: It is their year. All year long they have escaped all of these close games: at Miami, at Denver, at Detroit, at Cleveland, vs. Houston, at Pittsburgh, Indy and New England in the playoffs. They just have that feel of a team that is going to the Super Bowl. All of those close games just add up to me feeling like it is their time. This Jets team reminds me of the 2005 Steelers. 11-5, six seed and on the road for the playoffs. Both made the AFC Championship with a rookie QB the year before. Steelers upset 14-2 Indy in Divisional Round. The Jets upset the 14-2 Pats in the Divisional Round. The Steelers went on the road and won an AFC Title Game. The Jets defense is playing lights out right now, and they will be able to handle the Steelers offense. Mark Sanchez will make three or four big plays in the passing game, and they will capitalize on turnovers. If the Jets get a lead, then this game is done. It is just their time.

A Case for the Steelers: They are at home and have Ben Roethlisberger, so that gives them a good shot. Troy Polamalu is playing this week, and he didn't play against the Jets in Week 15. He should be able to make a difference. The Steelers defense should be able to stop the Jets running game, and the Steelers could make some plays with Mike Wallace, Heath Miller, and Emmanuel Sanders. They have been to a Super Bowl before, and from a coaching standpoint, Mike Tomlin is a better in game coach then Rex Ryan.

FINAL SCORE: As much as I hate to admit it, the Jets are going to win this game. They are the better team, and they are playing so well right now, I just can't see the Steelers winning. It is amazing that the Jets are actually a three-point underdog because I view the Jets as the favorite. The Jets will get some turnovers, get a lead, and sit on it all game long. This one might not be as close as many people think. The Jets will win and head to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl III.
Jets-29 Steelers-13

SUPER BOWL XLV: Jets vs. Bears....a.k.a "My Worst Nightmare"