This should be a memorable Sunday in the National Football League. The oldest rivals in the league play each other with two of the hottest quarterbacks and outstanding defenses. In the other game it’s about two teams with fierce defenses, a proven quarterback and an emerging quarterback who will face off for the right to go to Dallas in Super Bowl XLV on February 6.
Packers (12-6) @ Bears (12-5)
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago
Time: 2 p.m. CDT
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Line: Pack -3.5
These two teams went to war twice this year as they always do with the Bears winning at Chicago in week 3, 20-17, and the Pack winning on the final week of the season, 10-3.
This is about two quarterbacks who are hot: Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. Rodgers shredded the Atlanta Falcons’ defense last week for 366 yards and three tds. He was 31-36 and had a passer rating of 138. Jay Cutler had a pretty good day himself against the Seahawks last Sunday throwing for 274 yards and two touchdowns and running for two more scores. Both of these quarterbacks are not only weapons with their arms, but also with their legs.
The key for the Bears defense is playing tight press coverage and not allowing Rodgers to hit the underneath passes that Tom Brady used when the Patriots dismantled the Bears in November. The safeties will have to come over and help the corners. Nickel Back D.J. Moore will need to play one of his better games of his young career for the Bears’ defense to succeed.
For the Pack, they need to get a good pass rush on Cutler. Clay Matthews, Jr. had 13.5 sacks on the season and has had three during the playoffs. He will need to be a factor, so Cutler can’t set his feet and throw the ball downfield to his pretty talented receiving corps.
The oline is huge for the Bears and the receivers will have to find some holes in the vaunted Packers’ secondary which features stellar cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams. The running game is critical for the Bears. Matt Forte will take a lot of pressure off Cutler if he can get some yards on the ground. Again, the Bears offensive line will have to be huge.
Aaron Rodgers has talented receivers. The Bears are a little vulnerable in the secondary so Julius Peppers, Israel Idonije and Tommie Harris will need to get pressure on Rodgers. Safety Chris Harris sustained a hip pointer last week, but he’ll play. How effective he is will be the question. The Bears secondary needs Harris as he is one of the best interceptors of the ball in the league. They have to have him play well. He just makes interceptions at critical points in the game. His presence is a necessity. Bears will probably blitz linebackers and Moore on passing downs. The Bears were second in the league in run defense, so the Packers may have a tough time running the ball.
Bears’ key is stopping Rodgers and receivers. Packers key is holding Bears running game in check to make Cutler do more than he needs to and possibly making mistakes. Defense on both sides is the key. Packers have Matthews and Woodson a little banged up, but they’re playing no doubt.
I say the Bears oline comes through, Cutler gets it done in the passing game, Forte in the running game and Bears defense stops Rodgers enough. Soldier Field will help, too.
Bears 24, Packers 20
Jets (13-5) @ Steelers (13-4)
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Line: Steelers -3.5
Can the Jets keep this momentum and awesome play from Mark Sanchez, Ladanian Tomlinson, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Jerricho Cotchery and a phenomenal defense going? I think they can.
But will it be enough to beat the Steelers? The Jets beat the Steelers in week 15, 22-17, but the Steelers were without all world safety Troy Polamalu and tight end Heath Miller. Polamalu is somewhat healthy now. His effectiveness will play a definite role in the outcome of this game.
Sanchez may have the best receivers in the league, but he will be less experienced than Ben Rothlisberger. Rothlisberger has two Super Bowl rings and has played and succeeded in many big games. Sanchez is 4-1 as a postseason starter, but lost in the AFC Championship game last year to Indy. The experience in big games goes to Big Ben.
The Jets corners will be tested. Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis will have to bring their A+ games to this one. Mike Wallace, Hines Ward and some young talented receivers will put pressure on the Jets’ secondary.
Both defenses are very good, Sanchez has emerged as an outstanding quarterback and the Jets running game is superior to the Steelers. I’ve gone back and forth on this one almost up to this minute as I write. I’m going with the upset. I have kept doubting the Jets throughout the postseason (though I did pick them over the Colts), but I am no longer doubting them. The Jets play great defense, Revis and Cromartie come through, the Jets run the ball well with LaDanian and Shonn Green and Sanchez and the receivers get it done against a Steelers’ defense with a somewhat hobbled Polamalu.
Jets 27, Steelers 24
(Julius Peppers, left, and Clay Matthews, Jr. will have to be at their best in order for their teams to win Sunday at Chicago.)
2 Responses
Great analysis as always, David. Another thing I think the Jets have going for them is the fact that they’re actually backing up all the talk—which I did NOT expect them to do last weekend. Count me as a new passenger on the Rex Ryan bandwagon.
Thanks, F. Yeah, it’s a tough call as is the Bears-Vikings. I’ve just got a feeling the Jets are going to find a way to slow Rothlisberger down and Polamalu is not at his best. Jets find a few ways to score with their talented receiving corps.