Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls signals at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Conference Championship matchups are set after a ridiculously exciting Divisional round weekend.  In the NFC, it will be the top seeded Atlanta Falcons hosting the San Francisco 49ers.  The Falcons advanced to the NFC Championship Game after the surging Seattle Seahawks overcame a 20-point 4th quarter deficit to take a late lead, but gave Matt Ryan enough time to get the Falcons into field goal range for Matt Bryant to hit the 49-yard game winner. (more…)

Jay Cutler wants you to win tickets to the NFC Championship Game. Packers fans need not apply. (Photo courtesy of Zuma Press)

Who said Jay Cutler is “the most hated man in the NFL?” The Bears’ QB is raffling off an all-expense paid trip to Chicago to see the NFC Championship game live and in person.  Click this link to enter today!

Here are the details:  (more…)

I would like to personally thank Drew Brees and the Saints for saving all of us from two weeks of Favre-ageddon.   The Vikings did everything to gift wrap this one for New Orleans with a plethora of turnovers.  (Sorry, I had to use plethora – it was on my Word of the Day calendar today.)  Check out the highlights:

Sure, there are still plenty of annoying story lines to follow heading into the Super Bowl: the Saints will save the city of New Orleans because of this win, the Archie Manning New Orleans angle, the Peyton Legacy, etc., but none of those come close on my annoyance-meter to the pathetic Favre slurping that the networks would be doing over the next two weeks.

Congrats to the Saints on their first ever trip to the Super Bowl.

Seeing them win made me remember being at Soldier Field for the Bears’ NFC Championship victory over New Orleans three years ago.  Seems like so long ago, doesn’t it?

In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, let me see if I can summarize.  The surprising Arizona Cardinals were playing the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game.  The Cardinals blew an 18 point first half advantage as the Eagles took a 4thquarter lead.  With the Cardinals trailing, OC Todd Haley took Anquan Boldin out of the game.  It is important to note that ‘Quan had pulled a hamstring two weeks before and was not operating at full strength.

As the Cardinal offense was on the move, Boldin decided it was a good time to blow up at his coordinator who was calling the plays on this crucial drive.  The Cardinals scored the winning touchdown and held on to secure their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl.  While his teammates celebrated on the field with the fans, Boldin bolted early to avoid the media.   Did I miss anything?

This quote from Boldin taken from a National Post article:

“I was mad because they took me out of the game, and I think any competitor would have had the same reaction.  A game of that magnitude, how close the game was, us potentially driving to score a touchdown, I want to be there. That’s just the type of guy I am.”

This from azcentral.com:

“For me, it’s hilarious.  I mean, I don’t want to sit here and dwell on it because it’s in the past, but that’s something that goes on every week in the NFL, whether people know it or not.”

Glad you think it’s so funny Anquan.  It may go on every week, but last Sunday was not every week; it was the NFC Championship Game.  And your team won.  That’s right, somehow they pulled it off with you on the sidelines.  In fact, they pulled it off while you were yelling at offensive coordinator Todd Haley while he was calling plays for the game-winning drive.

I guess the wide receiver fraternity (ΑΣΣ) was holding their initiation last weekend and you couldn’t pass on the opportunity to join the ranks of TO, Plaxico Burress, Chad Ocho-Cinco and the rest of the Prima Donna’s in making a complete ASS of yourself.

You’ve been clear about your feelings for the Cardinals since training camp.  But as your teammates celebrated the unlikely victory, you pouted and hustled out of the stadium.   Every kid that ever slapped on the pads from Pop Warner on up dreams of making it to the Super Bowl yet somehow, you thought it was more important for you to get your catches than for your team to win the game.  Somehow you thought it was about you and not the team.  Selfish much?  Your behavior was comparable to a Pop Warner 8 year old who got sent to bed without dessert. 

I had taken the position that the Bears work to get Boldin in the offseason, but perhaps I was mistaken.  Ex-Chicago Bear great Doug Buffone, frequent contributor and personality on The Score 670AM  , talks about the neanderthal gene being what made linebackers like himself and Dick Butkus great.  Is there a jackass gene that all talented wide receiver have?  Anquan, this wasn’t about you, it was about your team.  Hopefully you figure that out on the way to the Super Bowl.

BOOM!!!

Philadelphia at Arizona

In this unlikely matchup, the #4 seed Cardinals host the #6 Eagles, who benefit from the choke jobs by the Bucs (and now-fired coach Gruden) and the Bears (and D-coordinator on Sundays only Lovie Smith) to slide into the last playoff spot.  Goes to show, anything can happen if you can get into the playoffs.

Last meeting: The Eagles spoiled the Cardinals’ Thanksgiving with a 48-20 beatdown in Philly.  Philly was coming off the humbling loss to the Ravens in which Donovan McNabb was benched and the Eagles’ season appeared to be on life support.  Aside from stubbing their toe in Week 16 vs the Redskins, the Eagles have been perfect since.  McNabb rebounded with 4 TD against the Cards and been on a run ever since.

Breakdown: Philly comes in with the hot hand, while Arizona rides the momentum of two surprising wins and now a home playoff game.  Boldin’s hamstring injury could prove costly as the Cards need all the help they can get.   Look for Eagles D-coordinator Jimmy Johnson make Kurt Warner’s life miserable.  This is the 5th NFC Championship for Andy Reid’s squad and that experience will prove valuable versus the surprising Cardinals.

Key matchup: Arizona Run Defense vs Brian Westbrook

Prediction: The Cardinals get the home field, but that is where the advantage ends.  With McNabb at the top of his game, the Eagles soar to another Super Bowl.

Eagles 31- 21

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

Put the women and children to bed; this one’s not for the faint of heart as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens strap ‘em up for the third time this season.

Last meeting: The Steelers edged the Ravens 23-20 back in September and barely nipped them again in Week 15 on a controversial call where the leading TD crossed the plane of the end zone by thismuch.

Breakdown: The Ravens haven’t had a BYE since Week 2 and have been road warriors so far throughout the playoffs.  They follow the same formula as they had back in 2000, winning with defense and just enough offense from Joe Flacco to get the job done.  Pittsburgh’s defense is firing on all cylinders and have the experience in their corner.  Big Ben has been sharp and Willie Parker looks fresh after sitting a few weeks with injury.  The Ravens come in banged up with Terrell Suggs questionable and Samari Rolle doubtful while the Steelers look relatively healthy.

Key matchup: Baltimore pass defense vs Ben Roethlisberger

Prediction: With such a tight matchup, I’ll take the healthier, more rested team.  Pennsylvania Bowl, here we come.

Steelers 13-9