Picks and predictions for this weeks NFL games.
Artwork by Hayden Johnson
After two weeks of nail-biting, exciting, and action-packed National Football League competition, the semi-finals are finally here and the remaining four teams are looking to claim the stage as their conference’s representative in the Super Bowl. For the AFC championship, the New York Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. As far as the NFC Championship Game goes, the Green Bay Packers will be taking on the Chicago Bears in a conference grudge match on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Steelers vs. Jets
Both of these teams are very deserving of being in the position they are in, as they are only one step away from booking their trip to Arlington, Texas for the Super Bowl. After the Jets’ surprise wins against the Colts and the Patriots, it is difficult to pick against such a team. They will be the underdogs of this game, but they seem to be comfortable in this position, as they have won both times in this playoff series while being the underdog team coming into the games. However, the Steelers might just be a team with enough power to end the Jets’ Cinderella story to the Super Bowl. The Steelers had the #1 ranked defense in the NFL during the regular season. Their defensive line is an absolute nightmare for opposing offense lines and quarterbacks, which was evident in their last game against the Ravens when Pittsburgh had four sacks (three of which by James Harrison) and three total turnovers recovered. The Steelers are also #1 in the league against the run and I think they will completely shut down that portion of the Jets offense and will yet again diminish LaDanian Tomlinson’s aspirations to finally make it to a Super Bowl. The Steeler defense will be the story of this game, and if they can put pressure on a young quarterback in Mark Sanchez they will force him into poor decisions, which will lead to many turnovers. I think the Steelers will win this one and send the Jets packing back to New York with a final score of Pittsburgh 24 – New York 12.
Packers vs. Bears
It is appropriate that a grudge match between these two rivals – one of the longest lived rivalries in sports – will be the determiner of who will punch their ticket to the NFL Super Bowl. The Packers and Bears have already met twice this season, with the bears winning the first meeting and the packers winning the second, so it is fitting that the NFC Championship game will be the tie breaker between the two teams. The Bears are known for being a very explosive team, with weapons like Devin Hester, who broke the NFL record this year for most total kick returns, and Jay Cutler who can go on a 3rd & 10 and chuck the ball down field for 60 yards with just the flick of a wrist. Being this type of team, they can swing the momentum of a game in just one play, which is a very valuable attribute. The Packers are also a very talented team and can take control of a game with their dynamic offense and powerful defense. The Packers are known for being able to throw the ball downfield to their many deep threats in veterans Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, and also have dominated on the ground in the past few playoff games with their newly acquired rushing attack. With a backfield that has been plagued by injuries, newcomer RB James Starks has been an eternal spark to Green Bay’s offense and has made the Packers a very unpredictable team. I think the Packers will continue their winning run through the playoffs and will earn for themselves a Super Bowl appearance for the first time since the absence of former quarterback Bret Favre. The Packers win this one Green Bay 28 – Chicago 20.
