by KC James
Independent Sports
My favorite Sunday in the NFL is coming up this Sunday I actually enjoy more than "Super Sunday" You can't get to the BIG Game if you don't win your conference championship first. After a four month lockout and a wild regular season the final four Sunday is coming with the NFC and AFC championship games this Sunday. The Patriots are hosting the Ravens and the Giants go to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. If styles make fights they also make these two match-ups very interesting. In the AFC it's the Patriots and the leagues 2nd ranked offense against the Ravens and the 3rd ranked defense. The key to this game will be weather or not the Ravens and that physical, hard hitting "D" can pressure Tom Brady make him uncomfortable in the pocket and get him out of his rhythm. If they can't do that it will be a long afternoon for B'More. Brady will perform surgery in that defense. In "09" when the Ravens went into Foxborough and beat New England in the wildcard game they ran the ball Ray Rice scored on the first play from scrimmage on a 75 yard run. The Ravens "D" pinned back their ears went after Brady smacked him around and the Patriots never recovered. That's the same formula they'll need to win Sunday along with Joe Flacco (who's taken a lot of FLACK-O ) making some key throws and not turning the ball over. I like the Ravens defense to contain the Pat's offense Ravens 23-17.
The NFC is a renewal of one of the best rivalries from the 80's and 90's when both the 49ers and Giants were winning Superbowls. With HOF players like Montana, Rice, Young, Taylor and Simms. The roles are now reversed however. It's the 49ers who are known for their tough physical defense they're #1 against the run giving up a measly 37 YPG and Giants are #3 in offense averaging 431 YPG and have been in must win mode for a month. The Giants are playing their best football since "07" when they upset the undefeated Patriots to win the Superbowl XXXXII and the 49ers have been the most consistent team all season and have done a complete 360 under coach Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers beat the Giants in week 10 at the stick 27-20 so besides the past they have recent history. The team that wins this game will be the the team that wins the turnover battle SF was #1 in that category +28 and the team that's able to run the ball, stop the run and protect the QB. Eli Manning is one of the elite QB's in the game and Alex Smith has quieted most of his critics after his spectacular performance in the Niners come from behind 36-32 win against the Saints last week. This is a pick-em a toss up a dead heat and I think it will be a a classic and go down to the wire. I like 49ers 21-20.
It's going to be a great final four and this Sunday as I mentioned before is the Real "Super Sunday"
Sunday's Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers is truly a game for the ages. It matches the two most storied franchises in NFL History. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls and were one of the first real sports dynasties. That's the reason the championship trophy is named after their former coach the legendary Vince Lombardi. Pittsburgh is appearing in a record 8th SB and has won more Lombardi's than any other franchise (6). It's only fitting that these two teams are playing for the right to be crowned champion and be known as the best football team on the planet for one year. The Packers and Steelers are rich in tradition and both literally have their own wings in the Hall of Fame. Some of the names are Starr, Bradshaw, Nitschke, Green, Horning, Harris, Davis, Lambert, Kramer, Swann, White, Blunt and so many more which are part of the HOF fraternity. Great coaches like Curly Lambeau (The man the Packers home field was named after), Chuck Knoll (4 championships with the Steelers), Holmgren, Cowher and Lombardi. You now can add Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy to that list. It is a testament to the sustained excellence of both franchises that after Sunday they would have played in a combined 13 Super Bowls. The Steelers and the Packers are the two class organizations of the NFL and it's only right that they will finally meet with the the Lombardi Trophy on the line. After 44 years Pro Football fans truly get to see a "Super Match-Up"
The Saints winning Superbowl XXXXIV was no surprise. The teams were evenly matched ( the Colts should have been 3 pt favorites not 4.5-5) but how they won was a surpise. They won because they exceuted better on both sides of the ball. That's because they were better coached, better prepared and just better. The other Peyton New Orleans Head Coach Shawn Peyton was the reason. He had an aggressive game plan and unlike is counterpart Jim Caldwell he played to WIN the game rather than not to loose. He trusted and showed confidence in his team on offense by going for it on 4 and goal from the Colts 2 just before the half. Eventhough they didn't make it the tone was set. And his call (Ambush) the onside kick to start the 2nd half was gutsy and the key to the game. He sent a message to he's team that we're going after the championship with everything we've got and his players responded in a big way. At the most criticle point in the game with the Colts driving for the tying TD the Saint defense did what they've been doing all season and showed why they led the NFL in TO's and scoring defense. They blitzed Manning into a quick throw that turned into a Tracy Porter pick six game over. Drew Brees was the MVP but the most important man on the field didn't make a takle, catch a pass or score a touchdown. Shawn Peyton was the differerence he was the MVC (Most Valueble Coach) and the main reason the Saints went marching back to New Orleans with the Lombardi Trophy.
He's had thee game winning buzzer beaters in 29 days. He's averaging 37 points in his last 10 games. He's leading the league in scoring. His team has the best record and he's playing the best basketball of his spectaular 14yr career. Ok Stevie Wonder could see I'm talking about Kobe Bryant. The question is he the "Best Ever"
I know I'm not the only one who figured the Bears wouldn't bother to show up for Monday nights game against the Vikings right? I mean they stoped showing up a month ago and had all but quit on Head Coach Lovie Smith. Jay Cutler who claims to have a stronger arm than John Elway has thrown most of passes to the other teams leading the league in interceptions. The other problem with the Bears has been the defense which has played more like Bear Cubs since Brian Urlacker's season ending injury in the opening game of the season. So this all meant that Monday's game would be a dumper right? Wrong! Cutler showed Bear fans what they've been missing all season by doing his best Elway impression and out dueling Bret Farve leading Chicago to a 36-30 dramatic overtime win. He was what he thought he was for one game anyway going 20-35 for 273 yds 4 Tds and 1 int.
After shutting at the Viks and leading 16-0 at halftime the 2nd half was the best of the Season in the NFL . Frave woke up the Minnesota offense throwing for 285 of his 321 yds and 2 Td's as both teams came out blazing. This was a good old fasion shoot-out between 2 gunslingers with Cutler and the Bears left standing. Minnesota after going 10-1 have lost 3 of their last 4 and are reeling going into the playoffs. We saw what Jay Cutler could do he just needs to do it more often. Bear fans are asking will the real Jay Cutler please stand up. Maybe he finally has.