NFL Conference Championships Set

Some big messages were sent this weekend in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.  Now the Steelers, Jets, Bears and Packers move one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Another wild week in the NFL playoffs is in the books and 4 teams are moving on.  It was a very exciting round with 3 of the 4 games being very close right up until the end.

In the AFC the NY Jets will be moving on after defeating the heavily favored New England Patriots 28-21.  This was a big statement for the Jets because most people had the Patriots winning it all.  It appeared yesterday in Foxboro, that Brady and his "well oiled machine" had ran out of gas.  The Jets D forced Brady's first interception since week 6 against Baltimore.  Mark Sanchez looked like a different Quarterback in yesterdays meeting between the 2 rivals.  In week 13 the Patriots grabbed 3 interceptions form Sanchez, yesterday, he tossed 3 TDs instead.

The Jets will be meeting another hard hitter, The Pittsburgh Steelers who beat up on their division rival Baltimore Ravens for a 31-24 win on Saturday.  The Ravens looked dominant in the 1st half of the game but fell apart in the second half.  Some big dropped passes including Anquan Boldin who dropped on in the end zone and TJ Houshmandzadeh who dropped one that would of been a big 4th down conversion to keep Baltimore driving down the field at the end of the fourth quarter.  That pass ended the game.  Have to give credit where Credit is due, Pittsburgh made the adjustment and came out ready to play in the 2nd half put up 24 points, 21 of those unanswered by the Ravens.

In the NFC we had the Green Bay Packers coming off a big win in Philly, going into Atlanta to take on Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.  Now I assumed this would be a Packers win, but I had no idea that Aaron Rodgers was going to turn into Superman.  The Packers trash the Falcons 48-21.

Rodgers throws near 400 yards, 3 TD passes and rushed for a TD.  "Matty Ice" on the other hand threw just 1 TD and a pick to Tramon Williams who ran it back 70 yards for a score.  So a team that sneaked their way into the playoffs late now has a chance for the big dance.

The only obstacle left int he way for the Packers is a little team called the Chicago Bears who had a huge game yesterday against the Seattle Seahawks.  Chicago grabs a 35-21 win over Seattle. Jay Cutler, who was doubted by many including myself, was an absolute baller yesterday.  274 yards and 2 TDs not to mention 2 rushing TDs, Cutler and Rodgers are going to light up the NFC championship next week for sure.

So who are my picks?  As of right now it is a tough call, but I think both road teams prevail next week.  The Packers and the Jets are playing some great football right now.  Not that Pittsburgh and Chicago aren't playing great as well, but Green Bay and New York are just looking so good right now and are on such a roll that its going to be tough to stop them.  So yes, my picks for the Super Bowl are the Green Bay Packers and The New York Jets.