"The Patriots Should Be Playing Sunday" Conference Championships Preview

Although many Patriots fans have "checked out" after a brutal loss to Gang Green last Sunday night, there are 2 solid football games this Sunday that are worth watching as both #1 seeds have been eliminated.

Green Bay (-3.5) vs. Chicago 3 p.m. @ Soldier Field: Green Bay shocked number one seed Atlanta with Aaron Rodgers' near-perfect performance. Chicago did what they were supposed to do as they cleaned up a Seattle team who's luck ran out. "Grass does not grow in January" is the locker room theme as both teams expect a less than desirable playing surface. President Obama has stated he will attend the Super Bowl if Chicago is to prevail on Sunday.

NY Jets vs. Pittsburgh (- 4) 6:30 p.m. @ Heinz Field: After a week of trash talk, Gang Green put their money where their mouths were as they shocked the #1 seed New England Patriots in Foxboro. Pittsburgh survived "Armageddon" vs. the Ravens with a HUGE pass from Big Ben late in the fourth quarter. A week long "love fest" from the Jets has pundits puzzled. The Jets are appearing in their second straight AFC championship game as Big Ben has a third Super Bowl victory in his sights.

Predictions:


Todd: Steelers stop the Jets Cinderella story 21-17. Green Bay overcomes sloppy field conditions and capitalize on "Bad" Jay Cutler's turnovers 24-14

Coon: I see the Jets going down at the hands of Big Ben, Mr. Wallace, and a beastly running back in Mendenhall. LT has been looking like his old self as of late, although Shonne Greene has salvaged the running game by rising to the occasion. But their ground game is gonna be no match for a stout Pittsburgh run defense (1st overall), and who knows which Sanchez will show up.

Pitt 31, NY 21

Call me crazy, but is it acceptable to like Chicago in this game? The Packers have lost three of their last four trips to Chicago, and the Bears have looked better and better over the last few weeks. Green Bay's rushing attack is perplexing to say the least, with Brandon Jackson (703 yards and only 3 TD's this season) getting the bulk of the work. If the Pack is going to win this game, they are going to have to beat Chicago through the air, which is a completely realistic scenario. But I got a strange feeling that turnovers on behalf of the Pack will be the deciding factor in this one, and I like the Bears at home.

CHI 28, GB 27