Welcome to Gaia! ::

crying
Colts lost...

I will say that it was QUITE a shock to see the Chargers upset the Colts. Nothing else was that big of a surprise except the lack of the 81's, save T.O.'s one TD.

So, now we move onto the Championships. I know that many people expected, for the first time in a LONG time, that it would be #1 vs. #2 in both conferences. Unfortunately, with the Cowboys (who were considered the favorites in the NFC) and the Colts (the reigning champs) both losing today, we now have a double dosage of Week 2 rematches: the undefeated Patriots hosting the banged-up Chargers and the surprising Packers hosting the red-hot Giants.

Let's look at the game which will probably be a blowout: the AFC Championship. Rivers and Tomlinson have injuries, but the Chargers still managed to find a way to beat the reigning champions. A lot has changed since these two met in Week 2. Unfortunately, the result won't change. Patriots beat the 'Bolts. My prediction: 27-21.

The NFC Championship is one that several people hoped for but few believed would come to pass. Favre has led the Packers back to their first NFC Championship since the 1997 season when they lost to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. The Giants are kind of in the same boat, returning to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2000 season when they lost to the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. Favre has been here before; Eli is experiencing it for the first time. There are 3 factors to look at in this game:
1. Will the Giants momentum lead them to a rematch with the Patriots? They are beyond hot. These guys are on FIRE and remind me a lot of the Steelers 2 years ago: going on the road for every playoff game, including an upset of the top-seeded Colts, and dominating in the Super Bowl.
2. Can the Packers O-line push back the Giants defense like they did against the Seahawks? This is a hard one to call because we didn't see an even matchup between the Packers and Seahawks due to the weather. If the weather is decent, as much as I love the Packers, I have to say that this Giants defense is NOT the same one that the Pack beat in Week 2. However, I still think that the Packers O-line can go toe-to-toe with the best defenses out there. Why not test it against the team that had the most sacks?
3. Will the weather affect the game? Obviously, if it snows or is below freezing, the weather favors the Packers. Otherwise, I don't believe that it will affect either team. Both have prolific passing AND running attacks and both play in northern states that get snow. This will be one heck of a game. I've already checked what the weather is supposed to be: high temperature of 11 degrees with a 40% chance of snow.
Overall, you have to look at streaks. The Giants haven't lost on the road since Week 1 at Dallas. The Packers have only lost 1 home game all year (Week 5 vs. Chicago). The weather will be the determining factor and the Packers have played in it more often. Packers win in a close one, 24-17.

Now, then. IF my picks end up being correct, we have a rare occurance: a repeat Super Bowl. In the 41 previous Super Bowls, there have only been 9 with the same teams facing off (3-Steelers & Cowboys, 2-Niners & Bengals, Cowboys & Bills, Dolphins & Redskins). Should the Packers and Patriots both win this weekend, we'll have another. The main difference is that both of these teams, who thrive in the cold weather, will have to play in Miami. People have to think that the Patriots already have an advantage if they make it because of how good they are. Throw in the fact that they'll be playing in Miami, which they travel to once a year anyway, makes it even harder for whoever the NFC representative. Obviously, I hope that the Packers win, but I don't see anyone toppling the Pats.

Nice analysis. I too was extremely surprised that the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts lost at home to the injury plagued Chargers. I wasn't surprised with the Giants' win though, because they came in with huge hearts, a great mindset, and momentum. Steve Spagnolo should be the defensive coordinator of the year, and he's the Giants' savior.

I too predict the Chargers to go down in New England. The Patriots should be able to continue their streak at perfection. The Chargers will be banged up again in this one. Brady is going to find Moss more than he did against Jacksonville. The Patriots are the playoff team of the decade, do not make mistakes, and are led by the two best: Brady and Belichick. I say they win in double digit points.

The Giants-Packers game should be one of the top games of the season. Any game at Lambeau with cold temperatures and snow is a treat, and things should not be much different this upcoming Sunday. Both teams are in cold-weather climates, so it should not effect the defenses and running game too much. Where it may come into effect is between the QBs, Eli Manning and Bret Favre. Favre is definitely used to Green Bay weather, and should be able to go to his max. Manning is yet to prove that he can play in extremely cold temperatures, but with his recent momentum, leadership, and silencing of the critics, don't take it out of the question if he does succeed. If he almost did it against the Patriots (at home in the cold), did it @ Tampa, @ Dallas, then why not @ Green Bay? The key for the Packers to win is not to turn the ball over, not commit penalties, and to win the field position game. That is how Dallas fell to the Giants. They Giants' key is to run the ball effectively and early, and pressure Favre. The outside linebackers also have to be on their toes, because Grant (ironically, the former Giant) loves to beat you outside. I went to the Week 2 matchup between the Giants and the Packers. The Packers literally dominated that game, as Favre became the most winning-est QB in NFL history. Lots have changed since that game, especially the Giants' revamped defense. Should be an excellent game to watch, and since the Giants have all the momentum, I say they are Super Bowl bound, with a great win @ Green Bay this Sunday.

Well it is much harder than it seems to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. The Patriots made great off-season moves, so they were pretty much destined to make it to the Super Bowl anyways.

It a time of a salary cap, this is exactly what happens, and this is why football is so popular. Just about every team can compete for glory. Upsets are a part of every sport, but takes its biggest effect in the NFL.

What do you mean they barely made the playoffs? They were in as the #2 seed in the AFC, and had a first round bye with a second round home game. Their regular season games against the Titans and Chargers were pretty witty losses, and could have easily been won, so they pretty much could have gone 15-1.

Yea, but I was arguing the fact that you said they "barely made the playoffs." Anyways, in my opinion, they weren't going to defeat the Patriots in the AFC title game anyways. neutral

The colts have not look like them selfs over the last cupple weeks i mean look ever sence thry lost to the patriots they have not been the same

I was really surprised how the Colts' outside linebackers and secondary could not keep up to speed with the Chargers' 2nd and 3rd string running backs and lesser-known receivers.