Let's flashback to December 20th when the New York Jets played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a late-season game at Heinz Field.
The Jets earned a hard-fought victory on the road to help their case for a playoff spot. But what was more striking to me was the conversation that took place after the game. As the two coaches, Rex Ryan and Mike Tomlin, met up to shake hands, CBS microphones caught their brief conversation.
The Jets earned a hard-fought victory on the road to help their case for a playoff spot. But what was more striking to me was the conversation that took place after the game. As the two coaches, Rex Ryan and Mike Tomlin, met up to shake hands, CBS microphones caught their brief conversation.
Ryan told Tomlin "good game" and he also said "we'll see you in there" with "there" referring to the postseason.
Watching this live, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. First off, the Jets had yet to even clinch a playoff berth, so for Ryan to say that was pretty bold.
And second, a playoff matchup between these two teams was highly unlikely. I mean, at this point, the Indianapolis Colts getting hot at the right time, the Baltimore Ravens were their usual dangerous selves, and of course, the New England Patriots were unstoppable.
So a Steelers-Jets meeting in the postseason? No way!
But four weeks later, truer words could not have been spoken by Rex Ryan as the two teams, against all the odds, will meet for a berth in Super Bowl XLIV.
"Against all the odds"
Seems like a fitting description of the final four teams left in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.
We have the Jets, who rode the rollercoaster hard this year, having to come back from numerous deficits in games this year (Cleveland, Detroit, Houston) to somehow pull out wins.
The Bears were thought to have one of the worst teams in the NFC and little was expected from them.
The Steelers were without their star QB for the first 4 games of the season, and many experts anticipated a mediocre start and for the team to never recover.
And the Packers were destroyed by the injury bug, as their starting RB, TE, and many key defensive players were lost for the season.
Yet these four teams, who had to endure all these hardships, and find answers to all these problems, are the ones left standing.
Before we get to the picks, some thoughts from last week's NFL circus:
Watching this live, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. First off, the Jets had yet to even clinch a playoff berth, so for Ryan to say that was pretty bold.
And second, a playoff matchup between these two teams was highly unlikely. I mean, at this point, the Indianapolis Colts getting hot at the right time, the Baltimore Ravens were their usual dangerous selves, and of course, the New England Patriots were unstoppable.
So a Steelers-Jets meeting in the postseason? No way!
But four weeks later, truer words could not have been spoken by Rex Ryan as the two teams, against all the odds, will meet for a berth in Super Bowl XLIV.
"Against all the odds"
Seems like a fitting description of the final four teams left in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.
We have the Jets, who rode the rollercoaster hard this year, having to come back from numerous deficits in games this year (Cleveland, Detroit, Houston) to somehow pull out wins.
The Bears were thought to have one of the worst teams in the NFC and little was expected from them.
The Steelers were without their star QB for the first 4 games of the season, and many experts anticipated a mediocre start and for the team to never recover.
And the Packers were destroyed by the injury bug, as their starting RB, TE, and many key defensive players were lost for the season.
Yet these four teams, who had to endure all these hardships, and find answers to all these problems, are the ones left standing.
Before we get to the picks, some thoughts from last week's NFL circus:
The Curse
Another nice prediction showing from myself last week. 1-3. Brutal.
Another nice prediction showing from myself last week. 1-3. Brutal.
The Kevin Hirschfield Super Bowl curse also continued this week and it’s starting to get ridiculous.
For those of you who don’t remember the curse, any team that I pick to win or be in the Super Bowl usually loses in the wildcard or 2nd round. It’s been going on for the last couple of years, but this year the curse is going to a whole other level.
First, I picked the Eagles to win it all.
They were done.
Then I picked the Falcons to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Nope.
The whole time, though, I had the Pats representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
So what do they do in their playoff debut?
Exactly.
I don’t know why this curse has happened, but maybe it relates back to the time this year when the Chargers playoff hopes were dashed by the Bengals and I screamed out loud,
“I F------ING HATE THE NFL!!!”.
The football gods clearly didn’t take too kind to this verbal abuse of their league and now I have a picks curse.
First, I picked the Eagles to win it all.
They were done.
Then I picked the Falcons to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Nope.
The whole time, though, I had the Pats representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
So what do they do in their playoff debut?
Exactly.
I don’t know why this curse has happened, but maybe it relates back to the time this year when the Chargers playoff hopes were dashed by the Bengals and I screamed out loud,
“I F------ING HATE THE NFL!!!”.
The football gods clearly didn’t take too kind to this verbal abuse of their league and now I have a picks curse.
First round bye-bye?
Is there an advantage to having a first round bye? It sure doesn’t seem like it anymore. The 2 Number 1 seeds are gone this year and every year it seems we see teams with first round byes who get taken down in their first playoff game.
(Last Year: San Diego)
(2 years ago: NY Giants, Carolina, Tennessee)
(3 years ago: Indianapolis, Dallas)
Seriously, the teams who play in the wildcard games can easily have a super-inspiring performance that gives them tons of momentum heading into the second round game. That team with the bye has been sitting at home the last two weeks, with no sort of game action, and they more than not come out rusty in their first playoff game.
If having a first round bye is a disadvantage, then this raises the question, “Which seed would you rather be?”
The 3 seeds this year?
Both gone.
The 4 seeds?
Seahawks win a miracle, Chiefs get obliterated.
To me, the 5 seed seems to be the best place. OK, you’re playing on the road….but you get to play the worst division winner.
Is there an advantage to having a first round bye? It sure doesn’t seem like it anymore. The 2 Number 1 seeds are gone this year and every year it seems we see teams with first round byes who get taken down in their first playoff game.
(Last Year: San Diego)
(2 years ago: NY Giants, Carolina, Tennessee)
(3 years ago: Indianapolis, Dallas)
Seriously, the teams who play in the wildcard games can easily have a super-inspiring performance that gives them tons of momentum heading into the second round game. That team with the bye has been sitting at home the last two weeks, with no sort of game action, and they more than not come out rusty in their first playoff game.
If having a first round bye is a disadvantage, then this raises the question, “Which seed would you rather be?”
The 3 seeds this year?
Both gone.
The 4 seeds?
Seahawks win a miracle, Chiefs get obliterated.
To me, the 5 seed seems to be the best place. OK, you’re playing on the road….but you get to play the worst division winner.
The Chiefs and Seahawks were the worst division winners this year.
Not what you would call contenders.
The 5 seed Ravens easily won their game, while the Saints had a shocking meltdown and lost to the Seahawks.
But other than the fact you’re playing on the road, isn’t the 5 seed the position to be?
You get to go into the 2nd round with a lot of momentum from your big wildcard win playing a rusty team who just had the bye.
The Giants just won a Super Bowl as the 5 seed a few years back. And although the 5 seeds are gone this year…I think this whole 5 seed thing is going to catch on.
The 5 seed is the new 1 seed.
THE OT WAIT
The wait continues for the first playoff game that goes into overtime under the new rules. Steelers-Ravens looked headed that way and it’s only a matter of time before we see it. Can you say first Super Bowl OT Game ever?
THE PICKS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
But other than the fact you’re playing on the road, isn’t the 5 seed the position to be?
You get to go into the 2nd round with a lot of momentum from your big wildcard win playing a rusty team who just had the bye.
The Giants just won a Super Bowl as the 5 seed a few years back. And although the 5 seeds are gone this year…I think this whole 5 seed thing is going to catch on.
The 5 seed is the new 1 seed.
THE OT WAIT
The wait continues for the first playoff game that goes into overtime under the new rules. Steelers-Ravens looked headed that way and it’s only a matter of time before we see it. Can you say first Super Bowl OT Game ever?
THE PICKS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Green Bay @ Chicago
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
That sound you hear is the ticking time bomb himself, Jay Cutler. And he still hasn't exploded. Will the bomb blowup during the NFC Championship with Green Bay freak LB Clay Mathews blitzing Cutler every second play?
Let's remember, this is virtually the same Packers team that picked off Cutler 5 times in Week 1 of last season. You could argue that Cutler has turned his game around since that horrific Bears debut, but take a look at what the Packer D just did to him in Week 17. They held Cutler and the Bears to just 3 points, and Cutler made some of his wildest throws of the season, eventually leading to a couple of interceptions and a 10-3 loss.
This Packers team is as hot as anyone has been at any point this year. They shut down Michael Vick. They scored 48 points on the best team in the NFC. What's next? The sky seems to be the limit for the Pack.
Chicago is clearly the weakest offense that the Packers have had to face in this year’s playoffs. Even though Cutler is firing on all cylinders right now, the Packers D is in a good frame of mind and for the Bears to put up more than 25 points, it might take a minor miracle.
And even if the Bears somehow light up the Soldier Field scoreboard, look who's behind centre for the Pack. Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off one of the best performances in NFL history against Atlanta. 31 for 36, 366 yards? Did the "legend" Brett Favre ever have a playoff game like this?
Rodgers will compete in a shootout if he has to.
Make no mistake about it, the Bears D is no slouch. And neither is the Packers D. So I have a new theory I’d like to introduce. In a playoff game with defenses that are both ranked in the top 10, always take the better QB.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
That sound you hear is the ticking time bomb himself, Jay Cutler. And he still hasn't exploded. Will the bomb blowup during the NFC Championship with Green Bay freak LB Clay Mathews blitzing Cutler every second play?
Let's remember, this is virtually the same Packers team that picked off Cutler 5 times in Week 1 of last season. You could argue that Cutler has turned his game around since that horrific Bears debut, but take a look at what the Packer D just did to him in Week 17. They held Cutler and the Bears to just 3 points, and Cutler made some of his wildest throws of the season, eventually leading to a couple of interceptions and a 10-3 loss.
This Packers team is as hot as anyone has been at any point this year. They shut down Michael Vick. They scored 48 points on the best team in the NFC. What's next? The sky seems to be the limit for the Pack.
Chicago is clearly the weakest offense that the Packers have had to face in this year’s playoffs. Even though Cutler is firing on all cylinders right now, the Packers D is in a good frame of mind and for the Bears to put up more than 25 points, it might take a minor miracle.
And even if the Bears somehow light up the Soldier Field scoreboard, look who's behind centre for the Pack. Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off one of the best performances in NFL history against Atlanta. 31 for 36, 366 yards? Did the "legend" Brett Favre ever have a playoff game like this?
Rodgers will compete in a shootout if he has to.
Make no mistake about it, the Bears D is no slouch. And neither is the Packers D. So I have a new theory I’d like to introduce. In a playoff game with defenses that are both ranked in the top 10, always take the better QB.
The Packers were the 5th ranked D this season, the Bears 9th.
(Side note: The Chargers were ranked 1st.)
Recent Example: Ravens/Steelers last week....two top 10 defences. Steelers 2nd, Ravens 10th.
(Side note: The Chargers were ranked 1st.)
Recent Example: Ravens/Steelers last week....two top 10 defences. Steelers 2nd, Ravens 10th.
Yet I chose to take Joe Flacco over 2-time Super Bowl Champion Ben Roethlisberger. Never again. And in this NFC showdown, it’s clear who the better QB is.
Rodgers over Cutler.
Green Bay 23 Chicago 20
Rodgers over Cutler.
Green Bay 23 Chicago 20
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
NY Jets @ Pittsburgh
So who do I cheer for here? A coach who has a foot fetish, or a quarterback who sexually assaults women?
That's the Jets vs. the Steelers for you. 2 teams who are very easy to hate.
Speaking of hatred, I'd personally like to thank LaDainian Tomlinson, who when in San Diego, used the playoffs as a time to disappear, and cost my team from making the Super Bowl. Now LT has 3 touchdowns in 2 playoff games and is a far cry away from last year’s LT who basically dropped to the ground after 2 yards a carry.
LT should face a reality check this week though against a defense that NEVER lets a running back run wild against them. Old man Tomlinson and the overrated Shonn Greene are not going to change that.
The Jets D, however, shut down the formerly unstoppable Tom Brady and the Pats last week.
NY Jets @ Pittsburgh
So who do I cheer for here? A coach who has a foot fetish, or a quarterback who sexually assaults women?
That's the Jets vs. the Steelers for you. 2 teams who are very easy to hate.
Speaking of hatred, I'd personally like to thank LaDainian Tomlinson, who when in San Diego, used the playoffs as a time to disappear, and cost my team from making the Super Bowl. Now LT has 3 touchdowns in 2 playoff games and is a far cry away from last year’s LT who basically dropped to the ground after 2 yards a carry.
LT should face a reality check this week though against a defense that NEVER lets a running back run wild against them. Old man Tomlinson and the overrated Shonn Greene are not going to change that.
The Jets D, however, shut down the formerly unstoppable Tom Brady and the Pats last week.
Ridiculous defences all around.
Which got me thinking...when was the last time we’ve seen a Conference Championship weekend with 4 teams that have defences ranked in the top 10?
And don’t say I put no effort into this blog, because I went and researched this stat.
And the last time that this happened was in 1997-98 when the Steelers, Broncos, Packers, and Niners were all in the top 10 in defence.
In fact since 1976, this has happened only twice!
The other time was in 1990-91, when the Bills, Raiders, Niners, and Giants were in the top 10.
So to recap, this is only the third time in the last 35 years that this has happened.
Recently, there’s always been those one or two offensive powers( last year..Indy and New Orleans) who have absolutely no defence. But this year....defence reigns supreme.
And here we are again, in a game similar to Green Bay/Chicago, with 2 superb defences.
Which got me thinking...when was the last time we’ve seen a Conference Championship weekend with 4 teams that have defences ranked in the top 10?
And don’t say I put no effort into this blog, because I went and researched this stat.
And the last time that this happened was in 1997-98 when the Steelers, Broncos, Packers, and Niners were all in the top 10 in defence.
In fact since 1976, this has happened only twice!
The other time was in 1990-91, when the Bills, Raiders, Niners, and Giants were in the top 10.
So to recap, this is only the third time in the last 35 years that this has happened.
Recently, there’s always been those one or two offensive powers( last year..Indy and New Orleans) who have absolutely no defence. But this year....defence reigns supreme.
And here we are again, in a game similar to Green Bay/Chicago, with 2 superb defences.
The Steelers ranked 2nd, the Jets 3rd.
And remember my newest theory...in a defensive standstill, pick the better QB.
Roethlisberger over Sanchez.
Pittsburgh 20 NY Jets 17
So if my predictions are correct, and more than likely they won’t be, we would see a pretty intriguing Super Bowl matchup between two of the NFL’s most legendary franchises, the Packers and the Steelers.
Roethlisberger over Sanchez.
Pittsburgh 20 NY Jets 17
So if my predictions are correct, and more than likely they won’t be, we would see a pretty intriguing Super Bowl matchup between two of the NFL’s most legendary franchises, the Packers and the Steelers.
The fans want Packers/Steelers, Super Bowl broadcaster FOX wants Packers/Steelers, but are the football gods going to give us Packers/Steelers?
In a season that’s been dubbed (by me…) as “against the odds”, we should expect the unexpected.
Can you say Jay Cutler vs Mark Sanchez in the Super Bowl?
Yikes.
In a season that’s been dubbed (by me…) as “against the odds”, we should expect the unexpected.
Can you say Jay Cutler vs Mark Sanchez in the Super Bowl?
Yikes.
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