Super Bowl Matchup Set

Super Bowl XLV is set and it's a 2 seed vs. a 6 seed. After a set of compelling conference championship games, the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets both came out victorious. Both Games were close and all four teams deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. The Packers and Steelers just had a little more extra today.

NFC Championship

Green Bay Packers 21

Chicago Bears 14

Green Bay dominated most of the first 3 quarters before third string QB Caleb Hanie of the Bears came in and provided a spark for the injured Jay Cutler and ineffective Todd Collins. In the end it was 314 pound B.J. Raji's interception return for a TD that was the difference as Aaron Rodgers' mediocre performance and James Starks' continued effective running pushed them over the top and onto Dallas.

Top Performers
Passing: A. Rodgers (GB) - 244 YDS, 2 INT
Rushing: J. Starks (GB) - 22 CAR, 74 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: G. Jennings (GB) - 8 REC, 130 YDS

AFC Championship

Pittsburgh Steelers 24
New York Jets 19

Pittsburgh completely controlled the flow of the game from the first snap and set the tone for the game as that methodically drove down the field on a eight and a half minute touchdown scoring drive. They later took a 24-0 lead and 24-3 halftime lead. Rex Ryan rallied his troops to an early long touchdown to Santonio Holmes on a great pass from Mark Sanchez. Then after being stopped at the one yard line, the Jets defense held strong and caused a Ben Roethlisberger safety. They added another touchdown but in the end, they just ran out of time. A valiant effort fell short as the Steelers took this one 24-19.

Top Performers
Passing: M. Sanchez (NYJ) - 233 YDS, 2 TD
Rushing: R. Mendenhall (PIT) - 27 CAR, 121 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: D. Keller (NYJ) - 8 REC, 64 YDS

Early Super Bowl Prediction: Packers 24-17 Steelers

My Top 5 Playoff performers to date in 2010-2011
5.) Matt Forte RB Chicago
4.) Mark Sanchez QB New York
3.) James Starks RB Green Bay
2.) Greg Jennings WR Green Bay
1.) Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay