Our football season has come down to just four teams -- the hated Jets, the always-in-the-mix Steelers, the trendy pick Packers and the home 'dog Bears.
A Dolphins fan still has to root for someone, right? Here's a Miamian's guide to the championship round.
Packers at Bears: The NFL North rivals square off for the first time in the playoffs in SEVEN decades to decide a birth in the Jerry Jones' football palace, and the Bears have a puncher's chance against the 3.5-point favorite Pack.
Aaron Rodgers is on fire and looking to seal his spot among the NFL's QB elite with a trip to Super Bowl XLV. AR12 played one of the best games I've seen in a while last week at Atlanta, and the Pack's defense came up with a couple huge plays to kill any chance for an ATL comeback. Vegas insiders have the Pack as the favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy -- but that's not deterring me.
The Bears counter with Jay Cutler, the up-and-down gunslinger, and two Miami Hurricanes that could decide the game: kick returner extrordinare Devin Hester and tight end Greg Olsen, coming off a career high game against the Seahawks. The Bears probably need Hester to bring back a kick and have a turnover-free outing from Cutler. Here's guessing defensive end Julius Peppers will harrass Rodgers enough to slow down Green Bay's explosive offense.
Dave's pick: Bears 24, Packers 20 in an upset.
Jets at Steelers. Barf! I am sick of Big Ben Roethlisberger holding onto the ball too long and then making an impossible play to pull out a big win for the black and gold. Big Ben is a stud, and with Troy Polomalu playing against Gang Green (he missed last month's 22-17 loss at home), I expect Pittsburgh to win the AFC.
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Mark Sanchez played a great game last week, knocking off the Pats in Mass. Sanchez has won four road playoff games in his first two years, and with Sexy Rex Ryan's defense, the Jets could make their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1969 season at the Orange Bowl. Here's guessing the home cooking will ride the Steelers to their third SB with Big Ben under center.
Dave's pick: Steelers 31, Jets 17.
Of course, you might now want to listen to me: I just got crushed in Vegas.
