The journey to the Super Bowl will either end here for a team in the conference championship or continue on to Dallas. Both games will be a defensive battle and will test a few quarterbacks to whether or not they can keep their composure or crack under pressure in the playoffs. Today is the day to watch seven hours of football, even if your team isn't in the playoff race. Below you can read my predictions and reas0ns why I think those two teams will move on to Super Bowl XLV.
Game 1: NFC Championship- Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
In a game that features one of the greatest NFL rivalries since the beginning of the league, this game will test the two quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Jay Cutler (Bears) to who will show up on Soldier Field. Less than a four hour drive between the two stadiums, Packer nation will bring the green and yellow, but the Bears will still have home-field advantage. Last weekend, Rodgers ran his offense to perfection against the Falcons and they looked unstoppable, but similar game with Cutler against a weaker Seahawks defense. Most people would say Rodgers is the better quarterback, including me and I just see him getting it done again in Chicago. If the game is high scoring, then it will be in favor of the Packers. The Packers defense is more powerful and hard hitting, especially at the linebacker position. With all that said, I see Packers going to the Super Bowl after a 14 year drought.
Packers 41- Bears 31
Game 2: AFC Championship- New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Black and Gold will be in full force today to try and make their third Super Bowl appearance in the past six years. But, will the New York Jets come into Heinz Field and ruin the "party". Intresting statistic, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has won both AFC Championship games he has played in and eventually won both Super Bowl games as well. Last weekend, the Jets secondary looked like one of the best in the league as they shut down the Patriots pass game. Big Ben and the Steelers will figure out a way to cut up this defense with the slashing abilities of wide receiver Mike Wallace and the playoff experience of Hines Ward. On the other end, Jets QB Mark Sanchez has not looked accurate all season except last week, when OC Brian Schottenheimer called the right plays at the right time. I picked the Steelers last week and will pick them again because of their defense will put pressure on Sanchez and the reliability of Roethlisberger in the playoffs is hard to go against.
Steelers 34- Jets 24
Unless, the Jets or Bears win, I see the Steelers and Packers playing against each other in Super Bowl XLV. Today is a great day for football, as millions across America will be watching these two games to see what happens and who wins.
