Chicago.com
The “Big Game” is finally here and as a Bears fan it just doesn’t seem to be as big as it could have been had a certain team from the Windy City made it. No, I’m not going to dwell on the Bears game and the way season ended. Am I still a bit bitter? Perhaps, but it’s time to give credit to the two teams in the Superbowl: Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. They made it to the final game in impressive fashions and it should make for an entertaining game on Sunday at Dallas’ Cowboys Stadium.
The draw of the game is everywhere, from two of NFL’s most respected and storied franchises to the individuals playing in it: Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Harrison, Matthews, Polamalu and Woodson among others. The star power names will be displayed all over the field on Sunday both offensively and defensively for both squads. 
It will be the aerial assault of Rodgers and the Packers against the NFL’s stingiest defense, led by the defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu. Polamalu just beat out the Packers’ Clay Matthews for the award despite missing two games, yet he was still tied for second in the league with seven interceptions. On the other side it will be Big Ben and his elusive ways against the Packers D, ranked second in the league at points allowed only trailing the aforementioned Steelers.
Who has the edge? That is the one million dollar question.
On paper it’s the Packers because of their explosive passing game and the fact that both defenses are pretty similar in everything they do. The passing attack and the ability of Rodgers to spread the ball around in the 4-5 wide receiver sets is what has gotten the Packers thus far. Atlanta couldn’t handle Rodgers as he shredded the Falcons defense for 366 yards and four scores. The Bears did a better job, in particular in the second half but at the beginning of the game Rodgers went through Chicago’s vaunted defense like it was Swiss cheese. The Bears adjusted in the second half and held Rodgers scoreless while intercepting him twice, something the Steelers have certainly studied over these past two weeks.
The Steelers defense is better than the Bears defense, statistically and in terms of personnel, and come Sunday they have to show that to everyone but most importantly to the Packers. They can’t fall behind early the way the Bears did. Packers’ defense is too good to allow a comeback from 14 points and Green Bay’s offense won’t allow them to catch up.
Big Ben, however, has weapons at his disposal that Jay Cutler doesn’t have and he knows how to use it too, but Green Bay has had two weeks to prepare for the Steelers offense and that’s got to count for something too. Dom Capers is one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history, and one would think that he has some tricks up his sleeve for Big Ben, Rashard Mendenhall the rest of the Steelers offense.
So many times people have written off the Steelers and Big Ben because of how Ben just sort of lumbers around on the field and makes something out of nothing. It’s not always the most attractive way to win the game but that is one thing that Big Ben has done in his career: he’s won way more than he’s lost. If he wins tomorrow he will tie the likes of Tom Brady and Troy Aikman with three Superbowl rings, and those are Hall of Fame credentials regardless what one thinks of Roethlisberger’s off the field choices.
As for Rodgers, well, he has become one of the faces of the league whether he wants to be or not. His talent and his play on the field are quickly putting him into the same class with the other top QB’s – Brady, Manning (Peyton) and Brees. For two years now Rodgers has put up gaudy numbers and he is getting better while still learning on the job. 
He is considered a legitimate MVP candidate this year (although Brady ran away with the award early on) and should be so for some time to come. His behavior off the field is exemplary in the least and his manners on the field extremely respectful. Rodgers appears to be a good guy on and off the field, something every team hopes to get from the face of its organization.
The key to the game is Pittsburgh’s big play ability with Mike Wallace in the passing game along with the bruising running style of Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers run it hard and often, they did so with efficiency against a very good Jets defense and I believe that their success on the ground will play a huge role in keeping the Packers defense off balance. Rodgers and the Pack will get their points, even though the Steelers defense is great.
The real question is can they run the football against NFL’s toughest run defense? I think not and that is the reason why I believe that the Steel Curtain will celebrate tomorrow night in Dallas. I am not bitter that the Packers beat the Bears, the better team won on that day and is deservingly so in the Superbowl. In my opinion the Steelers entire team (offense, defense and special teams) is slightly better than Green Bay’s. It would not surprise me at all if the Pack came out victorious and it would certainly be well deserved.
Either way those who don’t have a rooting interest in the game can always root for entertaining commercials.
That’s something we can all collectively cheer for.
PREDICTION: Steelers 27 – Packers 21
Chicago Bears against Green Bay Packers is NFL’s oldest rivalry and might just be the best the NFL has to offer. The teams have met 181 times, an astounding number for sure, but only once in the postseason. That matchup happened seven days after the attacks on Pearl Harbor and in that game the Bears prevailed 33-14. This game is bigger and better than any other game in Bears and Packers history. Why? Because you can eliminate your mortal enemy one step away from the Super Bowl, because you can make this one hurt forever and even if they were to meet again at the same stage it wouldn’t be the same. It just wouldn’t. It’s all about 2 p.m. on Sunday and about beating the Packers.
The field will be frozen, the crowd, however, ought to be louder than ever before. There is no excuse if it isn’t. None. People have been to “cold” games before, so the conditions shouldn’t be a factor whatsoever in that regard. There is no reason why the crowd shouldn’t be in a frenzy before the game, during the singing of the national anthem and hopefully throughout the game as well. The team needs this kind of support as it embarks on the most important game in the history of the franchise. The team needs it to overcome a better than good Green Bay team and it’s “can’t miss a receiver right now” stud quarterback. 
Standing across the Bears will be a Green Bay team peaking at the right time and if the Bears are going to win this game it will take all four facets of the game: offense, defense, special teams and the Soldier Field crowd. Jay Cutler and Lovie Smith will hopefully take care of the first three but the good people of Illinois need to step up and deliver the fourth.
As for what will happen in the game, there are several keys that should determine the outcome. One of the keys should be stopping Green Bay’s new found ground game – James Starks. Starks had a great game against the Eagles but did not come up as big in Atlanta as Aaron Rodgers took over and picked apart the Falcons. Starks did, however, carry the ball 25 times even if only for 66 yards. What that does tell me is that they are committed to the running game even if it’s not working like they would want it to. The Bears must stop Starks to have a chance in this game. Making Aaron Rodgers and the Packers one dimensional will go a long way in stopping Green Bay’s well oiled machine, something the Bears have already done twice this year.
Aaron Rodgers will get his numbers. That’s a fact. He is too good of a quarterback and he is playing at too high of a level right now to be completely stopped. That being said though, it is possible to limit his big play ability. The Bears did that in the last game of the season for majority of the game, the only blunder being a huge completion to Greg Jennings down the right side of the field. Other than that play, the Bears did a fantastic job containing Rodgers and his explosive receivers. The Bears need to stay in their gaps and tackle well; they need to trust the defensive scheme. It’s gotten them this far and it will get them to the Super Bowl as long they execute the game plan.
On the Bears side of the football it isn’t all up to Jay Cutler to take the Bears to Dallas. Matt Forte needs to have a better game than James Starks and enable Cutler and Mike Martz to effectively use play-action. Forte has been really good in the 2nd half of the season as well as the playoff game against the Seahawks. Forte rushed for 80 yards and caught additional 54 yard proving yet again how versatile he has become to the Bears offense. In my opinion if Matt Forte runs the football effectively the Bears will win the game. Cutler needs to protect the ball, like he has in the past couple of games but he can’t play too cautious. He is at his best when he plays freely and exudes confidence, something everyone could see in the win against the Seahawks. Jay needs to take what the defense gives him and occasionally take 
his shots down the field. Whether Mike Martz designs the right game plan remains to be seen, he certainly has done so as of late.
The wild card remains Devin Hester. NFL’s most elusive return man ever took one back against Green Bay in the first matchup and almost had a couple more in the regular season finale at Green Bay. The Packers will most likely kick it to him, albeit directionally trying to pin him in the corners of the field. They succeeded in Week 17 but one little mistake will result in another Devin Hester gallop towards the Hall of Fame and Dallas, respectively. Hester could prove to be the reason why the Bears go to the Super Bowl and here is to hoping that the Packers decide to punt to him every single time.
I think the Packers have the edge offensively at the quarterback position. The Bears have the better special teams while the defenses should cancel each other out. The difference to me is the running game. The Bears have the edge in that department and that should, in my opinion, be the difference between the two teams. I know that Aaron Rodger is playing out of his mind. I know that the Packers defense is phenomenal. I know all that. I simply believe that the Bears will find a way to squeak this one out. It’s just a gut feeling. I just hope that I can review the game on Monday and talk about the Super Bowl instead of a long offseason. Hope – it’s the only thing that we can all rely on until the ball is kicked off on Sunday.
Bear down Chicago.
PREDICTION: Bears 24 – Packers 20
Anyone in the mood for some playoff football this weekend? There are four mouth-watering matchups on the slate this weekend in what promises to be fantastic two days of NFL playoff action. Of course we are all interested in the Bears game tomorrow but the other three games should be just as much fun, if not more for some. Whether one is in the mood for an old-school game featuring the Ravens and the Steelers or a duel of high rising quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers, Saturday’s lineup has both of those.
Sunday’s games feature Bears vs. Seahawks and Jets traveling to New England looking to avenge their 45-3 loss to the Pats in Week 13. After all the trash talking this week between the two teams, it’s going to be very interesting how both teams approach the game come kickoff time.
Here is a preview of the two Saturday games:
Ravens @ Steelers – on CBS @ 3:30
For my money this is the best rivalry in the NFL and it’s only going to get better Saturday. Ravens have been chirping the whole week about how much they hate the Steelers and how bad they want to knock them out of the playoffs. Steelers have remained pretty quiet during the week and have said that they will let their actions do the talking. Regardless of who one roots for, if anyone, this is a must watch game for any NFL fan.
The Ravens’ confidence is at an all time high following an impressive victory at Arrowhead Stadium over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens ran the ball well, Joe Flacco passed with accuracy and the always stout Ravens defense harassed Matt Cassel into numerous turnovers in what turned out to be a rather easy victory.
This game should be different, however, since they are facing one of NFL’s top defenses. Steelers are No.1 against the run and have yet to allow Ray Rice to score against them in six previous meetings. I don’t see that changing much today unless the Ravens get the ball around Pittsburgh’s 10-yard line.
In my opinion the keys to the game are the turnovers and the play of special teams. Everyone assumes that the punters will get their share of work today and I think that the punt/kick returners will determine a lot in the final outcome of the game. The two quarterbacks will be vital as is always the case and whoever deals with the blitzing better while avoiding turnovers should make the big plays of the game.
I expect this to be an extremely hard fought game and a defensive battle at that. Both teams are highly motivated and should bring it all come game time.
Playing at home and having had the rest last week, I think that the Steelers will edge out the Ravens by a field goal.
PREDICTION: Steelers 20 – Ravens 17
Packers @ Falcons – FOX @ 7:00
If you want to see two good, young quarterbacks then this is the game for you, as Matty “Ice” Ryan takes on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. It’s Atlanta’s home field advantage against Green Bay’s Top 5 defense in a game that will hopefully determine what the Bears can expect next week. If Atlanta wins the Bears will have to travel to the Georgia Dome and if the Pack pulls it out then they will come to Soldier Field for a showdown 70 years in the making. Of course all these scenarios are predicated on the fact that the Bears are able to beat the Seahawks tomorrow. That still remains to be seen.
As for the Falcons – Packers game, this game should be close as well. The Falcons are extremely hard to beat at home and Green Bay is playing incredible football right now. The Falcons crowd should play a huge role in the game while Green Bay is hoping that James Starks will continue to provide the team with an unlikely surge in the running game, something it has been missing for the majority of the season.
The keys to the game are simple: How will Atlanta’s O-line protect Matt Ryan against Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson and at the same time how will the Green Bay defense neutralize Michael Turner and make the Falcons one dimensional? Whichever unit gets to accomplish one of these will help in determining the winner.
Matt Ryan has a 20-2 record inside the Georgia Dome in his career but showed some signs of weakness in the Monday Night game against New Orleans. That was a huge game at the time and Ryan wasn’t his usual cool self, something he can’t afford to do against the Packers. I believe he will have a good game but I believe that his counter part – Rodgers will be just a little bit better.
I like Green Bay’s defense better and I also believe that Rodgers will play better than Ryan, thus resulting in a Green Bay victory.
PREDICTION: Packers 31 – Falcons 24
Two games down and two to go in the first round of the NFL playoffs and after yesterday’s somewhat surprising results one has to wonder how today’s games will turn out. There is no way to hide what happens yesterday: I predicted both games wrong but in my defense how many so-called experts honestly expected the Seahawks to put up 41 points against the defending champs? Not many, that for sure. In the second game, Rex Ryan and his Jets finally got the best of Peyton Manning as the Jets came out in the second half and ran the ball right down Indy’s throat. They did what everyone wants to do against the Colts – run the ball and keep Manning off the field. Congrats to the Jets and the Seahawks.
Here is a preview of today’s games:
Ravens @ Chiefs – noon on CBS
This should be an exciting matchup as Kansas City’s top rushing attack will challenge Baltimore’s mean defense all game long. Who gets the best of who in this matchup will obviously go a long way in determining which team advances to play at Pittsburgh next week.
The Ravens defense must minimize the big play of Kansas City, not only because it will cost them on the scoreboard but because they want to keep the crowd out of it. Arrowhead has always been known as one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. Along with its defense Baltimore will need Ray Rice and the running game to show up and slow down the Chiefs blitzing schemes, as well as quiet the crowd. Joe Flacco is good enough to win the game with his arm but will need Ray Rice to pick up the slack.
As for the Chiefs it all starts and ends with their running attack and their great duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. The duo has combined for over 2,300 yards, most in Chiefs history and will need to be at its best to beat Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense. The thing that makes the Chiefs very difficult to defend is the passing threat of Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe. Cassel has been tremendous all year long and Bowe has turned into an elite receiver this year as he led all receivers with 15 touchdowns, three more than any other receiver in the league.
I expect this to be a very close game and in the end the big play ability of Kansas City’s offense, running and passing, to be a difference. It think that either Bowe or Charles will come up big at some point and lead the Chiefs to a victory against the Ravens.
My prediction: Chiefs 24 – Ravens 21
Packers @ Eagles – 3:30 on FOX
This should be a feast for any NFL fan regardless who you’re rooting for. It’s Vick against the Packers defense and Aaron Rodgers’ aerial assault against Asante Samuel and the Philly defense.
Can the Packers defense stop Michael Vick, who has been sort of “figured out” in the last month or so? Will Aaron Rodgers be able to shred the Philly D like he did against the Giants in Week 16? How much will the Packers defense blitz Michael Vick knowing his big play ability outside of the pocket? Will the Packers defense be able to neutralize DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin? These are all fascinating things to be watching for come game time and will go a long way in determining a winner.
My main key of the game will actually be LeSean McCoy. The versatile running back is such a threat in the passing game that teams can not forget about him or he will burn them over and over again. I think that Vick will be under pressure a lot in this game and will need to check down to McCoy to neutralize the pressure. If the Packers can stop McCoy from converting those key third downs with his receiving ability the Packers should be in good shape.
I know the Packers don’t have a running game. I know Philly’ offense is very explosive. I will take the better defense out of the two to win the game and that is Green Bay’s. The have last year’s defensive MVP in Charles Woodson and most likely this year’s in Clay Matthews. They will get more stops than the Eagles D and that’s why I think they will be victorious.
My prediction: Packers 31 – Eagles 24
Bring on the Seahawks next week here at Soldier Field, if this scenario holds true.
At last it is playoff time in the NFL as eight teams begin their journey towards the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Chicago Bears are relaxing this weekend and waiting to see who they will host next Sunday at Soldier Field. It is already predetermined that the Bears will face either Saints, Seahawks or the Eagles. If Philadelphia wins tomorrow against Green Bay, the Bears will host Michael Vick and the Eagles next Sunday. If the Packers beat the Eagles tomorrow, the winner of the Saints – Seahawks game is coming to Chicago.
As a Bears fan the best case scenario would almost certainly be playing against the 7-9 Seahawks at Soldier Field. In my opinion playing against Saints or against the Eagles would be about the same as both teams present very difficult matchups. Seattle is the worst out of those three opponents, not just by the season record but also by talent and not a lot of people can argue with that.
Here now is a little preview of Saturday’s games:
Saints @ Seahawks – Sat. 3:30 on NBC
It’s the defending champs against the team that really shouldn’t even be in the playoffs, let alone be hosting a game with a 7-9 record. The Saints are coming in with major injuries and questions surrounding their running backs. Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory have already been placed on the injured reserve list and it’s down to Reggie Bush and former Seahawk Julius Jones to provide the running spark for New Orleans. The Saints defense is playing well as of late and Drew Brees should have all his passing options available for this game.
The Seahawks are happy to report that Matt Hasselbeck will be starting this game (already playing in the 1st quarter) and are hoping that the veteran quarterback and the noisy crowd will carry them to victory. 
Seattle’s Qwest Field is known as the loudest place in the NFL and it should be a big factor for this game. Seattle’s running game has been improved since the arrival of Marshawn Lynch, as he and Justin Forsett are a very formidable duo and should pose problems for the Saints defense.
Despite the home noise and the 12th man, I believe the Saints will come out on top in this game. To me there is simply too much talent on that Saints’ sideline for the Seahawks to be able to come out victorious in this one. The play-calling of Sean Payton and the execution of Drew Brees should be enough for the Saints to advance to the next round.
My prediction: Saints 31 – Seahawks 24
Jets @ Colts – Sat. 7 p.m. on NBC
It’s Peyton Manning vs. Rex Ryan’s blitzing defense. Need I say more? It’s a game that features arguably one of the best quarterbacks of all time against the team that talks more than any other team in NFL history. It’s a rematch of the AFC championship game from last year, where Manning and the Colts prevailed 30-17 ending the Jets’ surprising run.
Rex Ryan spoke all week long how this matchup against Manning is “personal” and how he wants to beat Manning more than anyone else. 
Manning, however, in his usual manner has refrained from any verbal jawing with the Jets coach and has instead focused on how to beat the Jets defense. Manning will be missing two of his favorite targets in Dallas Clark and Austin Collie. The Jets are a year wiser and have brought in Antonio Cromartie to help out Darrelle Revis and neutralize the Colts’ top two receiving options.
The Jets are very good at running the ball and the Colts are not good at stopping the run, although over the last four weeks of the regular season Indy’s run defense allowed only 79 yards a game. The Jets feel like they should be able to dominate the time clock with their running game, while the Colts are sure that they can stop the run.
In my opinion Peyton will do his thing, he will throw a couple of touchdowns and perhaps a pick here and there but that is not where the game will be won or lost. I believe that the game will be either won or lost by the Jets QB Mark Sanchez. If he plays well and minimizes the mistakes the Jets will come out victorious, however, if he turns the ball over and lets the crowd noise get to him then Peyton and the Colts will get the best of Rex Ryan once again.
My prediction: Colts 27 – Jets 24