Sunday's Divisional Championships

When I got into work this morning, I received this e-mail from my Uncle Dan:

“Bresee Chevrolet car service confirmation for Friday, January 21 at 8:30 a.m.”

I scroll down.

“PACKER-JETS IN THE SUPERBOWL. YOU’RE GOING DOWN!”

Nothing like some friendly sports banter at 7:00 a.m. Unfortunately at that hour the creative juices aren’t flowing. I needed my coffee before I even thought about responding.

Anyone who knows my Uncle Dan knows that he bleeds green and that he prefers Grey Goose and tonic with a slice of fresh orange- two constant staples. A Jets and suffering Mets fan since I can remember, he has had his share of turbulent times.

Needless to say, my response was rushed and not clever ... at all. Work beckoned.

As we draw closer to finding out this year’s NFC and AFC representatives for Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, we can sum up this season in one word: parity. Anything can happen, especially this weekend.

NFC

Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears: Aaron Rodgers had himself one fine performance on Saturday night as he shredded the Falcons defense for 366 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 48-21 victory. Rodgers and the team are on the road at Soldier Field and looking for its third consecutive road win.

Weather won’t be a factor: This type of weather is nothing out of the ordinary for these two teams. The worst case scenario? Players will have to adjust. Instead long strides, short, choppy footwork is key. Familiarity on one of the worst fields (behind Heinz Field in Pittsburgh) doesn’t hurt either.

Tale of the two defenses: As the saying goes, “Offense sells tickets, defense wins games.” Green Bay (273 yards a game) and Chicago (276 yards a game) rank no. 3 and 4 respectively in defense. The addition of Julius Peppers in the defensive lineup is partly why the Bears are one of the top five defenses.

Key match-up: The quarterbacks and the defensive lines. Both quarterbacks had their time against relatively weak defenses. This weekend is drastically different. Will the Bears get Cutler on a good or bad day? Will Rodgers be able to maneuver and escape and find the open man down field?

Prediction: Green Bay 21-14.

AFC

The New York Jets at the Pittsburgh Steelers: The Jets have already accomplished two amazing feats – defeat both Peyton Mannion and Tom Brady at home. Now the third and final test awaits them- The Pittsburgh Steelers. Only in his second season, quarterback Mark Sanchez has been a sophomore sensation this postseason. Accuracy will be even more important now going up against freak-of-nature safety Troy Polamalu . Overthrown passes now become fair game. Sanchez will have to relax in the pocket and make sound choices.

Player to watch: Steelers’ Heath Miller. With Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis going against Hines Ward and/or Mike Wallace, look for Miller to get some opportunities down field.

The running game: Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Green and Rashard Mendenhall can be solidifying factors in who wins Sunday night’s game. In the regular-season meeting, Tomlinson and Green made up for 106 rushing yards while Mendenhall had 99 of Pittsburgh’s 146.

Prediction: Jets 24-17