Being a huge football fan I absolutely LOVE this time of year! Every game is for “all the marbles!” Last weekend’s action certainly proved that this year has been the most unpredictable in the NFL in decades.
A week ago, I was fairly certain that the New England Patriots were on their way to a Super Bowl Championship. I thought that Rex Ryan was only adding fuel to their fire with all of his talk about it being “personal” between him and Bill Belichick. But the Jets’ defense came up big and sacked Tom Brady five times. On the other side of the ball, Mark Sanchez fired three touchdown passes and the Jets pulled off an improbable (and certainly unpredictable) 28-21 win over the Patriots.
The other AFC playoff game pitted two tough defenses as the Steelers welcomed their longtime division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. I personally thought young Joe Flacco would lead his team to victory. It certainly looked that way when they went up 21-7. But when your quarterback is Ben Roethlisberger you’ve always got a chance. Big Ben electrified the “terrible towel” waving faithful pulling off the 31-24 “come from behind” victory. Young Antonio Brown made the “biggest catch of his career” with about two minutes to go as he actually pinned the ball to his helmet with his right hand and tip- toed down to the Ravens’ three yard line to set up the final Pittsburgh touchdown.
The NFC playoff games were equally as thrilling. Jay Cutler did something only one other quarterback in history has accomplished as he ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more leading the Bears past the Seahawks at Soldier Field 35-24. You have to go way back to Otto Graham who is the only other one to do it. The Bears defense was more than solid shutting down a Seahawks’ offense that scored 41 points against the reigning Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
Finally, the Green Bay Packers have picked the right time to peak. They demolished a very good Atlanta Falcons team in the Georgia Dome on Saturday night by the score of 48-21. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played one of the best games of his life going 31 of 36 passing for 366 yards.
So the road to the Super Bowl goes through Chicago and Pittsburgh. The Packers and the Bears have played 182 times throughout history but Sunday will be the first time they have ever met for the NFC Title game and a ticket to the Super Bowl in Dallas. The New York Jets will find out just how tough their defense is when they visit Pittsburgh.
I would love to give you my prediction on the final scores of these games but this season the odds are against me (or anyone else for that matter!) But I can tell you this. These four teams all belong there. The Packers/Bears game will be intense and there will be some hard shots delivered from both sides at Soldier Field. The Jets at Pittsburgh will feature two great defenses against two great offenses. Anything can happen.
Remember to tune into QVC immediately following both games for the official AFC and NFC Championship merchandise. Then on February 6, I’ll be on QVC with all of your Super Bowl gear as soon as the Big Game is over.
Down, set……….here we go!
Dan
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