Tis Saturday after a week that was not as bad I thought. Tomorrow is the big day for 4 teams; a little less than 25 hours before the first game starts. Here are my thoughts


Packers @ Bears: It is hard to take away much from either of the regular season games. In game 1 (week 3) the Packers were called for 18 penalties - a franchise record for 1 game. It is also interesting and a bit suspicious that the officiating crew who were at that game will be officiating this game as well. Hmmm, dirty Chicago politics? (j/k). The Packers held the ball for 10 more minutes and Rodgers threw for over 300 yds, I suspect why we didn't score more were because of the insane amount of penalties called against them - for the regular season the Packers ranked 3rd lowest in penalties with 78. Bears defense did not sack Rodgers in that game. In the second game (week 17) the Bears had "no incentive" to play other than keeping momentum of their starters. I find this to not be entirely accurate. The Bears/Packers rivalry is the longest & one of the biggest in Football/sports; do as anybody honestly think that if the chance arose either team would not naturally dash the playoff hopes of the other? Would the Yankees or Redsox not try to knock each other out of the playoffs? Lovie Smith said when hired that his goal was to beat the Packers, what better victory than to destroy their playoff hopes because any real sports fan can attest that in the playoffs anything can happen - 2004 ALCS. Continuing in the second game, the Bears were able to get around 90 yds running but their O-Line gave up 6 sacks, 3 more than in the first meeting. Bears were able to contain the Packers offense as well and the Packers did a better job in limiting Hester in the return game. I've been hearing a lot of how the Bears defense is good and that Rodgers won't have the same type of game like last week which is expected, but I find that analysts are overlooking the Packers defense which ranked 5th (Bears 9th) had the second in most sacks, fewest points allowed and interceptions. One point I found out from John Ritchie was that neither team is really all that good in the running game: Bears 22nd, Packers 24th; Bears averaged 101 yds/g while the Packers 100.4 yds/g. I like the Packers because of their defense that will have a lot of playmakers in the group and the Packers offense lead by Rodgers. Both team will try to run which the Bears should do better; Bears run defense gave up an avg of 90 yds/g which if the Packers got 90 yds would be pretty good. The field is tough but the Packers do have experience from this year and past years for those not in their Rookie year playing at Soldier Field.



Jets @ Steelers: During their regular season match the Steelers did not have Polamalu or Heath Miller (TE) in that game; with their inclusion in this game the Steelers will undergo a definite change on defense and offense. I'm having doubts that the Jets will be able to run against the Steelers though the Steelers are missing that one fellow who was instrumental in stopping the run - but Polamalu is back. With how Rex has attacked/defended against Manning & Brady I feel confident that he will find a very effective way against Roethlisberger. Rex may blitz more because that O-Line is wrecked and I do believe the Jets will be able to bring him down which they did three times during week 15. After showing to me twice of handling Manning & Brady, though Manning was able to adjust during the second-half I feel that the Jets will win this game - a close game. Even if it comes down to Sanchez who has proven time and time again to be able to lead this team in the 4th quarter to victory and is 4-1 on the road in the playoffs.