NFL Picks-Championship Sunday

Well, did a little better during the divisional round than I did during the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs in picking winners.   Went 2-2 this weekend to get the overall record up to 3-5.

While I picked Chicago and Pittsburgh correctly, didn't count on both number one seeeds in the NFC and the AFC going down to defeat.

It's Championship Sunday, and it's time for Moni to pick the winners of the AFC and NFC title games and see if I get it right as to which teams end up in the Jerrydome on February 6 to play in Super Bowl XLV.

AFC Championship
New York Jets at Pittsburgh

The Steelers knocked off their bitter rivals the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the Divisional round to earn their 15th trip to the AFC title game and their first since 2008..   

The Jets made it to their second consecutive AFC Championship game and 4th overall by beating the Indianapolis Colts and the Number one seeded New England Patriots on the road in consecutive weekends in the playoffs.  It's a feat only the 2002 Tennessee Traitors have managed to pull off in NFL history.  They also beat the Steelers 22-17 at Heinz Field on December 19.

But don't get happy Jets fans, Troy Polamalu didn't play in that game.  With 2:08 remaining, Ben Roethlisberger drove the Steelers 82 yards to the Jets' 10 yard line only to throw two incomplete end zone passes as time expired.   

The Jets are also winless in AFC Championship game appearances with an 0-3 record while the Steelers are 7-7.   Their last win was in 2008 enroute to their seventh NFL championship.

In this rematch,  while the Jets come in on a roll, so are the Steelers.  I see Pittsburgh hoisting the Lamar Hunt trophy at the end of the game.


NFC Championship
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears.

It's only the second time in NFL history these longtime NFL rivals have met in the playoffs, with the last meeting being a 33-14 Chicago victory at Wrigley Field in 1941. 

Da Bears stunned Seattle with some early offensive fireworks to take a 21-0 halftime lead in their Divisional round playoff game and held on to beat the Seahawks 35-24 and earn their 5th NFC title game appearance.  

It's the Green Bay Packers 5th NFC championship game appearance as well.   They knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard round 21-16 and beat down the number one seeded Atlanta Falcons 48-21 

They split the season series with the Bears.    Chicago beat them 20-17 at Soldier Field back on September 27.   Green Bay returned the favor with a 10-3 win over the Bears at Lambeau Field on January 7 that clinched the Packers playoff spot. 

While Green Bay is the hottest team in the NFC and probably the playoffs right now, Chicago's defense is also playing well.   They will also have the incentive of playing for an NFC championship trophy named for their legendary NFL Hall of Fame owner as well.  

Both teams have identical 2-2 records in their previous NFC title game tilts.  Green Bay's last win was in 1997 and the Bears win was in 2006. 

Chicago will be picking up the George Halas Trophy at the end of the evening.