Here we are, just one game away from the Super Bowl. Both matchups are that of No. 6 vs. No. 2 seeds. First, we have the NFC North Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears battling for the NFC title and a spot in the Jerry’s Bowl in Dallas. Then the New York Jets travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. Here’s how I see this weekend going:
No. 6 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears – Even as the 6th seed, Green Bay has plowed through this post season and has emerged as a Super Bowl favorite, according to many experts and even former QB Brett Favre. Yes, after being cast aside by his former team, Brett Favre says that the Packers are the team to beat. And I am starting to agree with him.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is the hottest quarterback among the remaining teams and numerous unknown players have thrust themselves onto the big playoff stage. RB James Starks had another good game on the ground, while WR Jordy Nelson became yet another target for Rodgers downfield. Veteran WRs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver proved, once again, they still have the ability to put up decent receiving numbers.
RB John Kuhn is also a dangerous running and receiving threat inside the red zone, scoring 2 TDs in the blowout win in Atlanta. Young CB Tramon Williams has been a spotlight on an already bright Green Bay defense. Mirroring Williams is former Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson. LBs Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk should get after Chicago QB Jay Cutler enough to force him into making some bad decisions.
On the other hand, Cutler had a good game against Seattle, throwing for 2 TDs, as well as 43 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Both of his passing TDs were from beyond 35 yards, which went to TEs Greg Olsen and Kellen Davis. Receiver and return man Devin Hester is a dangerous threat whenever he is on the field. Bears RB Matt Forte will eat up chunks of yards on the ground and also offers a great, short yardage receiver. The Bears have always and still rely on their strong defense. Defensive lineman Julius Peppers and Tommie Harris, along with LBs Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs provide the heart of the Bear’s defense.
The post season boils down to execution and the ability to capitalize on turnovers. Aaron Rodgers and the rolling Packers might be too much for Chicago to handle.
My prediction: 30-17, Green Bay
No 6. New York Jets at No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers – Ahh, the match up I love to hate. As you may have learned from previous posts, I’m not a Jets fan. They’ve proved me wrong in every game thus far, but I still can’t pick them for this one. I think Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is the far better quarterback. Both he and Jets QB Mark Sanchez have talent all around them, but it will come down to execution on their parts to walk away with a win.
Pittsburgh WRs Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, and TE Heath Miller give Big Ben great targets downfield, while RB Rashard Mendenhall will chew up yards and clock. Pittsburgh’s defense should give New York much more of a fight than any opponent they’ve faced thus far in the post season. LBs James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and James Harrison love to hit and hit hard. Sanchez doesn’t play well if he is continually pressured and hit, so look for the Steelers to haunt him early and often. The Pittsburgh secondary, led by Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor, like to play physical and take risks which could make life miserable for Sanchez and his receivers.
As much as I dislike the Jets, once again, I must acknowledge their talent. QB Mark Sanchez has proven he is a good NFL quarterback. He has a handful of receivers in Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, and Jerricho Cotchery, all of which can take advantage of 1-on-1 matchups and make big plays. RBs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson rotate in and out, and can pick up big chunks of yards. The majority of the defensive strength of New York lies in their secondary, with CBs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Veteran LB Jason Taylor is expected to be back after suffering a concussion in the second half of last weekend’s matchup with the Patriots. The Jets will have to put pressure on Big Ben and play aggressively or he will pick them apart.
My prediction: 27-24, Pittsburgh
To be honest, I never thought I’d be hoping for a Green Bay/Pittsburgh Super Bowl, but you have to work with what you have. This season has been full of surprises, so why would this weekend be any different? We’ve already seen huge blowouts and major upsets this post season, but that’s why they play the game. Any given Sunday…
No comments:
Post a Comment