One Sexy Conference Championship Round

3:00 PM

     Vs.    

   Green Bay Packers               Chicago Bears          

There's been a bunch of talk regarding the condition of soldier field, and how the weather will affect the game.  Here's some news, the Green Bay Packers are playing on the same field as the Bears are on Sunday, not only that but Aaron Rodgers thrives in cold weather situations. 

In cold weather situations, Aaron Rodgers has a 101.5 passer rating in 8 cold-weather situation games, that's before the Wall Street Journal ran an article with 2 weeks remaining in the regular season.  Facing a Giants defense? No problem.  Rodgers was 25-37 for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns.  In his previous game against the Bears, Rodgers threw 19-28 for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one pick, still an 89.7 QB rating.  Next comes the Wild Card game, Rodgers rises to the occasion. 

Jay Cutler on the other hand is Jay Cutler.  One game he'll look like a starting Pro Bowl quarterback, the next he looks like Rob Johnson, cannon arm making terrible decisions.  In his last game facing the Packers in Chicago, week 17, Cutler threw nearly 50%, and 2 interceptions.  Cutler is to risky to rely upon.

Both defenses are amazing, negate each other, so who has the best offense?  The Green Bay Packers.  Who's quarterback consistently rises to the occasion?  The Green Bay Packers.  The Cheeseheads will win this game and cover the spread, but not by much.  The Pack advance to the Super Bowl while covering the spread, 24-17.

Green Bay Packers -3.5

6:30 PM

     Vs.    

     New York Jets               Pittsburgh Steelers

At the beginning of the season, and throughout the season until now, I didn't think the Jets had it in them to get this far, particularly Mark Sanchez.  There weren't really any questions about the defense which had almost all returners from last year, it was all about the offense.  With an extra year under his belt, Mark's play is noticeably different.  Regrettably, almost all Jet fans are still douchebags.

The past two years, Thomas Jones carried the Jet offense proving to be dangerous as a back on the ground, and out of the backfield as a receiver.  That same offense is not long gone, but it's deep in a transition period.  Instead of it being just Thomas Jones, the load is now split between LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene.  Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is finally beginning to allow quarterback Mark Sanchez more room to grow.  This is the biggest difference in this Jets team compared to last year's team.  If the Jets make it past the Steelers, it will be because of Mark Sanchez. 

Each defense is on the top of their game right now, you know Rex Ryan is going to get his guys fired up.  As fired up as last weekend at New Enlgand?  I think not.  Although I do still think Rapelisberger has the upper hand on Sanchez overall as a quarterback, I'm going to say the Sanchise rises to the occasion like he has all year.  The Jets also have Santonio Holmes returning to Pittsburgh this week look for a big win against his former team.  He has already become Sanchez's go-to target.  Look for this connection to be the deciding factor in the game.  However, if the game comes down to a field goal by Nick Folk from 40 or more yards, the Jets will lose.  He deserves to be a NFL kicker and much as Matt Dodge deserves to be a NFL punter.  I pick the Jets to win this game 24-21 (hopefully me picking them to win for once will mean they lose). 

New York Jets -4

Vince Wilfork Taking us Out of the Shitter and Into the Divisional Round of the Playoffs

Why is Vince leading the way?  Because he and the New England Patriots are going to take a giant shit on the Jets.  I don't even like Wilfork, he's an asshole on the field, but you gotta give credit where credit is due.  It ain't no walk in the park for a 325 pounder to take a shit in a porta-potty while fully padded.  Fuck Fireman Ed, Rex "Feet" Ryan, and Antonio Cromartie with all 47 of his kids.  Your welcome Handy House for the free publicity.  Enjoy the longest fucking blog post of all time, here's the picks...

Saturday, January 15

     Vs.    

  Baltimore Ravens               Pittsburgh Steelers

If it weren't for the Jets-Patriots hype, this game would absolutely be getting more attention than it is.  The line has the Ravens getting 3 points on the road.  These inner-division rivals will be meeting each other for the third time after splitting the regular season series in two tight, low-scoring games. 

Rumor has it that Ray Rice is has been ill all of Friday, spending more time vomiting than studying.  When you're facing a defense as strong as the Steelers, you'll need all the time you can get to study them.  For this reason Ray Rice is the determining factor of the game.  Don't get me wrong, Flacco has been a good solid quarterback all year, but good doesn't cut it versus the Steelers defense, especially without your star running back. 

I have a feeling Rice will be over the sickness by Saturday morning, but that missed study time is key.  You can probably say that the Steelers D and Ravens revitalized defense cancel each other out.  But, Joe Flacco and an unprepared Ray Rice don't matchup favorably against Big Ben Rapelisberger and a fully prepared Rashard Mendenhall.  The Black & Yellow take this one and cover the spread at home.  Steelers win 21-13.

Pittsburgh Steelers -3

     Vs.    

Green Bay Packers               Atlanta Falcons      

Atlanta is favored by 3 in this game.  All the talk about this game has been Aaron Rodgers against Matt Ryan, and James Starks of UB.  It's more than that.  Honestly all of this year I haven't given two shits about whats going on in the NFC because when it's all said and done, the champ will be from the AFC. 

However, that won't keep me from making my pick.  I give Aaron Rodgers a slight edge on Matt Ryan as an overall quarterback.  Rodgers is packin' heat with weapons like Greg Jennings, old man Donald Driver, and James Starks.  Matty Ice has Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Michael Turner.  Like the first game Saturday, the running back is the difference maker.  Congratulations to James Starks on an outstanding NFL playoff game, but you are unproven and certainly not Michael Turner.  The Burner's ability to run through the Packer's solid defense will be the deciding factor in whether the Falcons can squeeze past the Cheeseheads.

Based on the Falcons numbers at home (20-2), you've gotta stick with them as the pick to win in the dome.  But with the Cheeseheads having a slightly better quarterback, and a much better star-studded defense, it'll be extremely close.  If the Falcons win, it will be by less than 3, but they can very easy lose.  Mason Crosby kicking in a dome on the last drive is pretty attractive if you're a Packer fan.  Either the Falcons win 21-20, or the Pack take their talents to the NFC Championship game with a 23-21 win.

Green Bay Packers +3

Sunday, January 16

     Vs.    

Seattle Seahawks               Chicago Bears     

Good Fucking story.  Great story.  ESPN loved talking about the team that shouldn't have been in the playoffs winning their playoff game against the defending champion New Orleans Saints last week.  The win failed to install any confidence in critics though, as the Seahawks are 10 point underdogs this week at Chicago. 

Way back in week 6, the Seahawks edged out a victory over the Bears in Chicago 23-20.  Of course the weather in mid-October is a lot more attractive than it is mid-January, when it counts.  Hasselbeck didn't thrown 4 touchdowns in 20 degree weather on the road.  Let's face it, even though Marshawn Lynch's run was spectacular, Seattle won last week because of Matt Hasselbeck throwing 4 touchdowns at home against a sub-par Saints defense.  This season Hasselbeck didn't throw for more than 2 touchdowns in any games, and threw 2 touchdowns in only 3 games in the regular season.  Basically there's no way that Hasselbeck repeats his 4 touchdown performance against one of the best defenses in the league.  Realistically I'd say he has a better chance of throwing more interceptions than touchdowns, than throwing 2 or more touchdowns.

The Bears D and Saints defense are night and day.  The rested Bears have been waiting for two weeks to step back on the field for some live game action, and now the NFC's 2 seed has their chance at redemption from the regular season.  Everything's working against the 'Hawks; no 12th man, inclimate weather, and poor defense versus a great defense.  Cutler's inconsistency at times makes him look like he should be working at a gas station, other times he's playing like a Pro Bowl starter, but his inconsistency won't cost the Bears the game, it will only keep it close, less than 10 points.  Bears win 27-20 but fail to cover the spread.

Seattle Seahawks -10

     Vs.    

             New York Jets               New England Patriots   

The Jets have definitely caught the Pats' attention judging by Wes Welker's press conference that sticks the foot back in Rex Ryan's mouth (I had to) in the more suttle fashion possible.  The guy seriously deserves an award for the acting, I would've been cracking up all over the podium.  Notice that the flamboyant Jets Coach hasn't said a word since Welker put his "best foot forward" at his press conference. 

The Vegas line has the Jets as a 9 point underdog.  Yes, The Patriots did completely obliterate them the last time they took the field, but that isn't something that happens more than once in one season, especially between two playoff teams.  Keep in mind that this will be the third meeting between the two teams just this year, so they know each other's personnel and packages well.  Like last week, I expect Rex to implement a run-happy game plan to keep Tom Brady off the field as much as possible, if it turns into a high scoring affair, New York has no chance.

Belichick is one of the best NFL coaches of all time, Rex Ryan hasn't won or proved shit besides the fact that he loves feet.  Although the Jets offense is much is all around more efficient than last year, it doesn't match an offense ran by Tom Brady.  The Jets have the better defense of the two teams, but Belichick, being a defensive minded coach, won't let his players slouch in a game of this importance.  The New England Patriots will earn the win and advance to the AFC Championship game, barely covering the spread.  The Darkside prevails, Pats win 24-14.

New England Patriots -9

Don't blame me if you lose your fuckin' bets, I'm probably wrong as much as you are.  Good luck this weekend Assholes. 

Beast Mode Shakes Seattle

Seattle, the city that never sleeps.  Known for it's rain and earthquakes.  Many including ESPN's Colin Cowherd who is from the area are still anticipating "the big one."  There happens to be a Pacific Northwest Seismic Network monitoring station located conveniently in the heart of Seattle.

During the 67 yard run and display of how not to tackle, the station actually recorded seismic activity from the Seahawk's "12th Man", a blip on the graph.  In these clips Beast Mode treads to a touchdown that will go down in history as one of the best NFL Playoff runs of all time. 

This video is what the NFL is all about.  Everyone's drunk, everyone's pumped, and theres nothing better than seeing a long, powerful touchdown run in the NFL when you're drunk and pumped.  The 1st person commentary and view gave me goosebumps just thinking about the atmosphere, and what the upset win for the Seahawks means to the city of Seattle.  The fan, charliemac64 says it best, "Do we belong now? Who Dat? All that shit! Fuck you all! AHAHA!"  That's what I'm talkin about baby! Earthquakes and football, that's what Seattle does!

If the 'Hawks make it past the Bears this week, which is probably the best head-to-head matchup of the remaining teams in the playoffs for the Seahawks, the the opposition is going to have a hell of a time at Qwest Field in the NFC Championship game dealing with the 12th man that you see in the video firsthand.  Seattle better prepare for another quake if they overcome Chicago this week.