NFL Conference Championships are set!

Next weekend is Conference Championship Sunday.  The Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are just one game away from playing in Super Bowl XLV.  Chicago will host Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game and Pittsburgh will host New York in the AFC Championship Game.

I am going to recap the Divisional Playoffs to show how each team got there. 

Green Bay traveled to the Georgia Dome and shocked the Atlanta Falcons.  Aaron Rodgers  I was really shocked to see him comfortable moving out of the pocket.  He had 366 passing yards total without any interceptions.  This coupled with a dominating performance from the defense that got 5 sacks and two interceptions (one was a touchdown) resulted in the Packers 48 – 21 victory over Atlanta and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.  This is what happens when you have a hungry offense and experienced defense.  To get to the Super Bowl Rodgers will have to stay focused and accurate. threw 3 touchdown passes and ran for one touchdown.

In the other NFC divisional game, the Seattle Seahawks’ luck ran out in Soldier Field.  Yes, I said luck.  They were lucky to win a division by only winning seven games.  They were lucky to enter the playoffs with home-field advantage.  They were lucky that the Saints did not take them serious.  Yesterday it was clear from the beginning that the Seahawks were just out of their league, or should I say division.  The defense could not stop Jay Cutler who threw two touchdowns and scored two touchdowns running.   Chicago won, 35 – 24.  Now they will stay at home to host their archrival, Packers, in the NCF Championship Game.  To earn a trip to Dallas, Cutler will need to stay on his feet and the Bears will need to protect the football.

In the AFC, Baltimore disappointed their fans and surprised me.  They started the game controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage.  The offense and the defense made big plays.  The funniest touchdown came from Cory Redding returning a fumble that all of the other guys thought was an incomplete pass.  I’m still dumfounded by all of those guys standing around waiting for the whistle to be blown.  Anyway, by halftime the Ravens were up 21 – 7, but after halftime it was the Steelers game.  The Steelers defense only allowed Baltimore to get a field goal, while Ben “Big Ben” Roethlisberger got the offense going enough to get three touchdowns.  They won, 31 – 24 and will host the AFC Championship Game.  To win next week, they will need to do what they did during the second-half the entire game. 

The other AFC matchup featured the team with the league’s best record getting embarrassed at home.  The New England Patriots could not do anything against the New York Jets.  A team that is known for being well-coached looked completely unprepared and made a ton of mistakes.  Tom Brady could not get the offense going, threw his first interception since October and special teams seemed confused.  The Patriot defense could not stop the Jets in the air or on the ground.  The Jets defense really exposed Brady’s weakness.  He is not comfortable leaving the pocket.  When he did not have a passing option, he didn’t move.  That is why he was sacked five times.  Mark Sanchez did a great job leading the offense.  Half of their touchdowns came from rushing and the other half came from passing.  The Jets backed up all of the trash talk that their coach, Rex Ryan, put out and beat the Patriots 28 – 21 on the road.  They are headed to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game.  To compete for the Lombardi Trophy they will have to play just as good against another rival and not get cocky.  They had some bloopers yesterday that could have been costly.  Receivers in the same area and backs bumping into teammates can’t happen next week if they want to be successful.

So who will come out victorious on Conference Championship Sunday?  I say the visiting teams.  Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets.

Green Bay will beat Chicago and become NFC Conference Champions because of their defense.  Jay Cutler will not be able to survive five sacks and score the way he did against Seattle.  Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams will force turnovers that will lead to points.  The Packers will be packing for Dallas.

New York will overcome Pittsburgh to be AFC Conference Champions because of an explosive offense and tough defense.  I know Steelers defense is synonymous with tough, but they are not going to stop Shonn Green, L.T. (LaDainian Tomlinson), Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.  Jets defense will be able to confuse the Steelers offense like they did against the Patriots.  Big Ben will not go down as easy as Brady did, but he will be forced to throw.  When he does, Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis will be around to intercept.  The Jets are going to the Super Bowl.

The Conference Championships are Sunday on CBS and FOX. 

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - Sunday, Jan. 23, 3:00 PM ET on FOX

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, Jan. 23, 6:30 PM ET on CBS

Join us at Ulah Bistro, in Washington, DC for Conference Championship Sunday.  We’ll watch the end of the NFC Game and stay for the entire AFC Game.
Update: 1.20.11 @ 3:15 pm - We are no longer watching the game at Ulah Bistro.  We are going to watch the game with International Lifeline Fund and help them tackle filthy water and poverty in remote areas of Africa.

Are you ready for some football??? 

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®

NFL Playoffs and BCS Champs is all Newton

Wild-Card weekend provided us the expected and unexpected.  Here is a recap of what happened in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

NFC

In the first playoff game of the season, Seattle Seahawks shocked the defending Super Bowl champion, New Orleans Saints and won 41 -36.  They are the first team with a losing record (7-9) to win a playoff game.  The biggest play of the game was Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard run for a touchdown.  Kudos to Pete Carroll for leading the Seahawks to victory in his first year back in the NFL, but I still think that the game should not have been in Qwest Field.  I am not making excuses for the Saints’ performance.  However, playing well during the regular season should be rewarded with a home game during the regular season.  A team that didn’t even win half of its regular season games should not be at home during the playoffs.  (Really, they should not have been in the playoffs, but I’ll save that for another time.)  In Qwest, opponents average over 2 false starts, thanks to the “12^th Man.”  We call it home-field advantage for a reason.  Nevertheless, the Seattle Seahawks will go to the “Windy City” to play the Chicago Bears.

In Philadelphia, Michael Vick could not get the Eagles pass the Green Bay Packers.  Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes to lead the Packers to a 21 – 16 win.  Charles Woodson and the rest of the Packers defense did a good job containing Vick.  While his last play was an interception, the 2011 NFC Pro Bowl starter still managed 292 passing yards and 33 rushing yards.  People will remember the last play of the game, but what killed the Eagles in this game was special teams.  (I always say these special men will make or break you.)  Philadelphia missed two field goals.  Had they just made those, the game would have gone to overtime.  Who knows what would have happened.  Now the Packers are going to the Georgia Dome to meet NFC Leader, Atlanta Falcons.

AFC

I expected the New York Jets to beat the Indianapolis Colts but thought the story would be about the quarterbacks – Peyton Manning (Colts) and Mark Sanchez (Jets).  It was not.  The game came down to special teams and the kickers.  Adam Vinatieri made a 50-yard field goal, his longest kick since 2008, with 53 seconds left.  The Colts thought it was over.  However, 50 seconds later, Nick Folk kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Jets.  Game over.  The Jets are on their way to Foxborough to meet the league’s best, Belichick’s New England Patriots for the third time this season.

No surprise in Arrowhead Stadium.  The Baltimore Ravens – Kansas City Chiefs game was not worth watching.  The playoff experienced Ravens dominated a youthful Chiefs team.  Baltimore’s defense led by Ray Lewis was on fire.  They forced five turnovers, got three sacks and limited the Chiefs to just one touchdown.  The offense looked good as well.  They scored passing and running to get the win, 30 – 7.  The Ravens will play their arch rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers next week in Heinz Field.

So we’re on to the NFL Divisional Playoff Round…

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - Saturday, Jan. 15, 4:30 PM ET NBC

This is going to be a blood bath between division (AFC North) rivals.  Both teams are known for their old school, hard-hitting defenses.  At their last meeting, the Steelers won (narrowly), but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the game with a broken nose.  These guys don’t play that push-you-out-of-bounds stuff, they tackle!  I see Ray Lewis’ adrenaline still pumping and the Baltimore defense continuing its roll from yesterday to end the Steelers’ season.

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, Jan. 15, 8:00 PM ET FOX

Green Bay loss to Atlanta in November by just a field goal.  Green Bay ended the season with two tough games to guarantee a playoff spot.  They are focused.  The Falcons have been resting.  On Saturday, I think Green Bay will return to the Georgia Dome with a hungry offense and an angry, experienced defense to avenge their previous visit.

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears - Sunday, Jan. 16, 1:00 PM ET FOX

Seattle is feeling confident.  They just upset the defending Super Bowl champs and they beat the Bears 23 - 20 during the regular season in Chicago.  Impressive win on Saturday, but I think that their season ends this weekend.  Chicago has improved since that close game in September.  Most notably is the running game.  Matt Forte ran for at least 91 yards in five of the Bears' final six games.

New York Jets at New England Patriots - Sunday, Jan. 16, 4:30 PM ET NBC

This is a contest between the top two teams in the AFC East.  Their last game again looked more like a pro team scrimmaging a college team.  Tom Brady massacred the Jets 45 – 3 on “Monday Night Football.”  It will not be easy for the Jets to travel and beat a well-rested, well-coached Patriot team.  BUT, the Jets are going to do it.  Mark Sanchez will step up, the defense will realize that it does not need to blitz on every play (deep threat Randy Moss hasn’t been a Patriot since September) and this good team will find a way to win.

College Football Championship Game

Tonight college football’s champion will be determined in warm Arizona.  Auburn Tigers will play Oregon Ducks in the Tostito’s BCS Championship Game.   This game will be “Nothing but Newton.”  Cameron “Cam” Newton.  This is Auburn’s extraordinary quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy this year.  

Oregon went undefeated, but they are in the PAC 10 and only played ONE team in the top 15.  Meanwhile Auburn dominated the extremely competitive SEC and beat FOUR teams in the top 15.  The SEC is the best right now in football.  Their bowl record this year proves that.  I’m a Big Ten girl so it pains me to make this acknowledgement, but I give credit when it is due.

Auburn will be champs and here are three quick reasons why:

1.     Oregon has not seen anything close to what they will experience tonight since their meeting with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl .  They couldn’t do anything with Terrelle Pryor and will not be able stop Cam Newton.

2.     Auburn ranks third in the nation in third-down conversions.  Why?  Cam Newton will scramble and make big plays with his feet.

3.     Oregon ranks seventh in the nation in turnover margin.  When they turnover to tonight they will be giving the ball back to Cam Newton.  I think you know what will happen.

Tostito’s BCS Championship Game kicks-off tonight at 8:30 pm on ESPN.

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®

Happy New Year!

A new year is here and the NFL playoffs are set!   The teams from the NFC are Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.  The AFC contenders are New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.  Playoff action begins on Saturday, January 8, 2011.  See the entire 2010 postseason schedule.

I picked the Jets to win the Super Bowl.  Not because I’m from New York.  Not because green and white are my favorite colors.  Not because of their fancy new stadium.  Not because they were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” 

I picked the Jets because I saw them balancing youth and experience and building on the accomplishments from the 2009 season. They made it to the AFC Championship game last year with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, so they were just one win away from Super Bowl XLIV.  During the offseason, they retained their starters and strengthened their offense with veterans Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and L.T. (LaDainian Tomlinson).  They ended on a bad note only winning two out of their last five games, but they are in the playoffs.  Yes, I am sticking to my word.  The Jets are going to Dallas

In reflecting on the regular season, here are my top seven moments, events and surprises from the 2010 season.

#7 – Batman and Robin just an old cartoon.  T.O. (Terrell Owens) joining Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati was supposed to frighten defenses across the league.  The claimed “dynamic duo” only combined for 13 touchdowns the entire season and the Bengals only won four games.

6# - Steelers quarterback drama.  Pittsburgh starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for 4 games at the beginning of the 2010 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.  First the concern was who would replace him.  Then the concern was where would the team be when Big Ben returned.  Both ended up non-issues.  They won the AFC North with the second best record in the conference and are resting the first weekend of playoff action.

#5 – Tripping to victory.  New York Jets Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Sal Alosi was fined $25,000 after he was videotaped tripping Miami Dolphins rookie Nolan Carroll.  The investigation revealed that he had instructed inactive players to line up along the sideline to position themselves to impede gunners on the opposing team.  As a result, he was suspended indefinitely.  The NFL also fined the Jets franchise $100,000.  Sometimes you are grateful to have “big brother” watching.

#4 – Great coaching puts New England on top.  After losing to the Jets early in the season, the Patriots did not seem like the leader in the AFC.  It really looked like their season was going to suffer when they sent wide receiver Randy Moss to Minnesota.  Head coach Bill Belichick did not let the critics get to him or his players.  He couldn’t replace Randy Moss and did not try to.  Instead he got the job done by having Tom Brady go with shorter passes to tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.  The Patriots have the best record in the league and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  No one is missing Randy Moss in New England.

#3 – Fading Favre.  Not so surprising that Brett Favre isn’t the quarterback that he used to be.  The man is 41.  He has been in the pocket taking hits for 20 seasons.  After last season it is unfortunate that the future hall of famer was forced out of the game and literally ran away after his last game.  He says that he knows “It’s time.”  I hope that he does.

#2 – The soaring Eagles.  Last spring it seemed really crazy that Philadelphia traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to a division rival.  McNabb was benched in his new home (Washington Redskins) and the Eagles are in the playoffs after winning the NFC East, but not because of Kevin Kolb the guy that was supposed to be their starting quarterback.

#1 – Michael Vick is back!  Michael was supposed to just back up Kolb this season.  He got his chance to start in the NFL again after three seasons and has not looked back.  Four months later he is voted the NFC starting quarterback for the 2011 Pro Bowl and a NFL MVP contender.

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®

Christmas weekend in the NFL

While Santa and his elves were making final preparations, packing up the sleigh, and blitzing around the globe to deliver gifts to good boys and girls, teams in the NFL were blocking, passing and blitzing to make this a Christmas to remember.  Some of them got nice gifts and others were left with a lump of coal.

NFL Week 16: The Gifts…

The New England Patriots blew out Buffalo 34 -3 and secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  So, the AFC playoffs will go through Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.  Tom Brady continued to demonstrate why he is the highest paid player in the NFL.  He extended the NFL record to 8 consecutive games with two or more touchdown passes and no interceptions.  He has now thrown 319 passes without any interceptions.

The Lions went down to sunny Miami and won.  They came back from a deficit of 10 points and beat the Dolphins 34 – 27 on the road.  The victory gave the Lions their third win a row – something that they have not had since 2007.  Motown should be singing and dancing this holiday season.

At Soldier Field, Chicago got a quick 10-point lead against the New York Jets.  After a scoreless first quarter, the Jets’ offense came alive, scoring 24 points in the second quarter.  The lead did not last long.  After halftime, the Bears returned and took the lead again.  The Jets fought back but a Mark Sanchez interception sealed Chicago’s 38 – 34 victory.  The Jets still secured a playoff spot.  Thanks to a nice gift from the Washington Redskins.  Their victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars confirmed a Wild-Card playoff spot for the Jets.

The Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles also secured playoff spots over Christmas Weekend.

NFL Week 16: Lumps of Coal…

While Philadelphia is going to the playoffs because they clinched the NFC East division title, Mother Nature is not being nice to the Eagles.  Due to a blizzard in Philadelphia, they did not play the Minnesota Vikings yesterday.  The game will be played on Tuesday night.  This means that the Eagles will play three games in just 12 days. 

The New York Giants had six turnovers in their loss to the Green Bay Packers.  The defense allowed four touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers who just returned after suffering a concussion.  The Giants will have to put playoffs on their wish list for next Christmas.

San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary was fired last night.  After two disappointing seasons, the organization relieved him of his duties with just one game left to go.  I think that was more like a ton of coal.

Are you ready for some football?

Tonight MNF heads south to the Georgia Dome for its finale.  It is a divisional rivalry game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.  Atlanta beat New Orleans earlier this year, so they are looking to win the series.  They are already in the playoffs, but they have not clinched the NFC South title.  At 12 – 2, with two games left, they could end the season tied with the Saints who are 10 – 4.  This is what makes this game a “must watch.”  A Saints victory would put them just one game behind the Falcons with the same conference record.  A Falcon victory tonight, would guarantee them the NFC South title and home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs.  Atlanta has not lost at home in over a year.  The Saints demonstrated that they could not handle a strong running game last week when Baltimore’s Ray Rice ran all over them.  Atlanta has someone stronger, running back Michael Turner.  He is ranked #5 this year in the league with over 1,250 rushing yards.  Two good teams, but the Saints defense will not be able to stop Atlanta passing and running.  I’m going with Atlanta tonight.

MNF kicks off at 8:30 pm on ESPN.  This week we are doing a special game watching party to support the Muskegon Rescue Mission.  Join us this week as we tackle homelessness in West Michigan the only way we know how – with fashion and football!

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®

December separates the best from the rest

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Ahhh… December.  College bowl games, the Heisman Trophy announcement and NFL divisional battles. 

Yesterday the BCS announced the schools that are going to play in its bowl games – the Rose Bowl presented by VIZIO, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Discover Orange Bowl, All State Sugar Bowl and Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.   Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks will play in the championship game on January 10 in Arizona.  This was not a surprise.  Both teams won their conference and are undefeated.  Every year there is controversy over whether the BCS selects the right schools and delivers a true champion. 

I think that the right schools are going to play in the title game.  Auburn has a superstar quarterback in Cameron “Cam” Newton.  The guy is big, fast, and can throw the football.  He could help teams in the pros like the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions today.   With a new quarterback, things started off slow for the Tigers.  They had close wins against unranked Mississippi State and Clemson.  Each week Cam displayed just how good he is and took Auburn through the tough SEC without a loss.  Oregon is a high scoring team.  They dominated all of their opponents.  Thanks to quarterback, Darron Thomas, and running back, LaMichael James, the Ducks won 10 of their 12 games by 17 or more points.

Michigan State got a raw deal.  The Spartans shared the Big Ten title with Wisconsin and Ohio State.  Despite beating Wisconsin during the season they were not selected to a BCS bowl game.  Instead they are going to play Alabama and their former coach, Nick Saban, in the Capital One Bowl.   It will be frustrating for the Spartans to watch the team they beat represent the conference in the Rose Bowl. 

Check out all of the BCS and non-BCS bowl games.

Quick hits around the NFL Week 13

Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 38 -35.  The Cowboys’ defense intercepted Peyton Manning four times.  Two of them were returned for touchdowns.  Just when Dallas was starting to look like the team people thought would contend for the Super Bowl, they lose wide receiver Dez Bryant.  Bryant suffered an ankle injury yesterday and is out for the season.

For the second time this season, a controversial call clouds the Chicago Bears victory over the Detroit Lions.  The Bears were behind when Lions rookie defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh was penalized for unnecessary roughness.  The Lions’ sideline thought that Suh just pushed Bears quarterback Jay Cutler to the ground.  The referees saw a blow to the back of Cutler’s head.  The penalty setup a Bears touchdown.  Chicago wins 24-20.

Atlanta Falcons came back in the fourth quarter to beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28 -24.  They remain first in the NFC South.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Brett Favre, injured his throwing shoulder.  With Tarvaris Jackson at the quarterback position, the Vikings beat the Buffalo Bills 38-14 at home.     

Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a win against AFC rival Baltimore Ravens.  It was a bloody battle between two powerful defenses – literally.  The game left Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger with a bloody jersey and broken nose.  Steelers win 13-10 and hold first in the AFC North by themselves.

Are you ready for some football?

Monday Night Football is going to feel like the AFC Championship Game.  The New York Jets are going up to cold Gillette Stadium to play the New England Patriots.  They are divisional rivals tied at 9-2 for first place in the AFC East.  So, this is a battle for the top spot in the division and the conference.  Earlier this season (Week 2), the Jets beat the Patriots at home when they still had Pro Bowl receiver Randy Moss.  Tonight’s game is going to come down to experience and talent.  The Patriots have quarterback, Tom Brady, but I don’t think that it is going to be enough.  New York Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, may only be in his second season, but he is surrounded by a lot of experienced, talented players. Jets defensive backs Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis will be able to beat anyone that Brady tries to throw to.  I’m going with the Jets.  I know that the Patriots slaughtered the Lions last Thursday.  Yes, the Jets barely won the last few weeks.  They don’t have to blowout teams to get to the Super Bowl.  They just have to win.  Good teams find a way to win and the Jets will do just that tonight.  MNF kicks off at 8:30 pm on ESPN.

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®