Conference Championship Game Day

Peyton Manning

AFC Championship Game



New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday 23rd January
6:30pm ET / 11:30pm Irish Time
Sky Sports / Streams








NFC Championship Game



Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Sunday 23rd January
3:00pm ET / 8:00pm Irish Time
Sky Sports / Streams

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A little early for this thread? Yes, but I'm a bitter bastard, so rather than be happy for you fans of the above teams, I'm starting this thread now to remind you that you have a whole 7 days to wait. That's 148 hours. That'll be an agonizing wait. Just think how long that will be.....

....and be grateful. I have to wait 8 months

:pac:

mikemac

Ravens would have hosted the AFC game with tonights result but alas, that's all history now
Before they threw the divisional game away!!

My pre season pick was a Ravens Packers Superbowl so I'm cheering on the Packers

Steelers and Packers to advance

Peyton Manning

Opening lines are pretty much as expected, Steelers -3 and Packers -3.

Lirange

I'll put my lot in with the Steelers and Bears. Black and Blue.

Packers are a team that relies on speed. They'll be going from the turf in Georgia to the dreaded tractionless Soldier field. Bears match up much better against GB than the Eagles or Falcons. Steelers have the experience and the three consecutive weeks of play will take it's toll on the Jets and Packers. Whereas neither the Bears or Steelers will be rusty or tired.

Frisbee

Took the Jets and Packers @12/1 before the season started so I'll be cheering both of them on next week. Prefer the Packers to win it.

Anyone but the Steelers though really.

mikedragon32

Steelers need to do some amount of work on the O line if they're going to advance. Big Ben was badly exposed all night on Saturday and from both sides too. Suggs coming in from their left was the biggest threat but he was under pressure on both sides.

Jets will be able to put similar pressure on, but hopefully Ben will be able to deal with it.

On the D side, Steelers had a good game bar one long drive that the Ravens put in in the 2nd quarter (it's all a bit hazy now...) so provided Polomalu doesn't go all spectacular again, it may well be the D that wins it for Pittsburgh.

Personally, I've always liked Green Bay in the NFC. I like their history and the way they play football.

So my prediction is all heart: Steelers and Packers.

Stev_o

Come on Packers this is our year!

davyjose

If the Jets play like last night, I can't see how the Steelers have a chance.

Say what you like about sanchez too, he did the job last night.

davetherave

I'm going with the Bears by 3 and the Steelers by a handful.


On an interesting and meaningless statistic, if I've read things correctly this will only be the sixth time that a conference game (post-merger) has been contested by two teams from the same division in the NFC. I think I got six counts for the AFC as well, but nobody cares about them :P

Stev_o

Does anyone else think that the Jets have already played their Super Bowl against the Pats? Can they keep that consistency against the Steelers?

frostie500

Stev_o wrote: »

Does anyone else think that the Jets have already played their Super Bowl against the Pats? Can they keep that consistency against the Steelers?

Look at the success that this team has had under Rex Ryan in the post season. Last season they defeated the Bengals on the road in the wild card round. The Bengals were a pretty good team, especially at home last year. In the divisional round they went to San Diego and won. People will always downplay the Chargers but they were a number 2 seed and had won 13 games. In the Conference Championship they were beaten by 14-2 Indianapolis after Indy dominated the second half.

This year the Jets have beaten the Colts and Patriots back to back. The Colts may be struggling this year but playing Manning and Brady back to back and winning is a great feat.

People can say what they want about Ryan but its clear that his constant talk in the media is a tactic to deflect attention away from his players on onto him. Before games he gets his players ready and relaxed and able to play at a very high level. The Jets may not be the best team in the AFC but they are a team that Ryan has peaking at the right time. The Steelers can take nothing for granted on Sunday

jman0war

Can't really see how anyone would take anybody over the Packers right now.
They are just playing too hot.

mikedragon32

Ryan trying to deflect media attention from his players (IF that's what he was trying to do) kinda backfires when you have one of his leaders on the field calling Brady a "dick" and bringing the focus right back on the team.

I agree though that the Steelers can take nothing for granted.

Black Swan

Jets
Packers

jman0war

Steelers
Packers (to win).

Was really hoping for the Pats so it'd be a repeat of 96.

SantryRed

Would be amazing if both 6 seeds made the Superbowl.

FreeOSCAR

Bears
Jets (Hopefully)

Mendenhall ran for 99 yds against us last time.
Don't want that happening again.

Flattery

jman0war wrote: »

Steelers
Packers (to win).

Was really hoping for the Pats so it'd be a repeat of 96.

Was really hoping for the Pats so it'd be a repeat of 85.

Bears to win.

LuckyGent88

Think a Steelers and Packers super bowl would provide a better more exciting contest so ill go for them

Coeus

I fancy Jets - Packers Superbowl. Should be a good Sunday evenings viewing

fisgon

Interesting that the four teams left have the four best Defences in the NFL. Can't remember a more unpredictable pair of Conference Championship games, wouldn't be surprised with any combination of results.

I want the road teams to win, but I suspect the home teams have an edge. I agree with previous poster, the Bears match up well against the Packers, and they know how to play them.

Steelers v Bears in the superbowl. Would hate it to happen as I dislike them both equally, but suspect that is what will result.

Peyton Manning

fisgon wrote: »

Interesting that the four teams left have the four best Defences in the NFL.

Where do you get that from?

The leading defences in total yards are 1. Chargers, 2. Steelers, 3. Jets and 4. Saints.

The leading defences in total points are 1. Steelers, 2. Packers, 3. Ravens and 4. Bears.

fisgon

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Where do you get that from?

The leading defences in total yards are 1. Chargers, 2. Steelers, 3. Jets and 4. Saints.

The leading defences in total points are 1. Steelers, 2. Packers, 3. Ravens and 4. Bears.

Not sure what point you're trying to make here, in fact I think you have just proved mine with your stats. There is no one measurement of what constitutes the best D, and so, you take into account all of the rankings and make a judgement call.

Who of the highlighted teams would you put above the four remaining? The Chargers? So good they barely had a winning season and missed out on the playoffs, losing to the Raiders twice. The Saints? Who just gave up 41 to the mediocre Seahawks. The Ravens are, of course, a quality D, but they have a weakness in the secondary that was exposed on that 3rd and 18 play they let the Steelers convert. They are ageing and are not what they were.

I stand by my assertion, the four best Ds in the NFL are the four teams left in the competition.

Peyton Manning

fisgon wrote: »

Not sure what point you're trying to make here, in fact I think you have just proved mine with your stats. There is no one measurement of what constitutes the best D, and so, you take into account all of the rankings and make a judgement call.

Who of the highlighted teams would you put above the four remaining? The Chargers? So good they barely had a winning season and missed out on the playoffs, losing to the Raiders twice. The Saints? Who just gave up 41 to the mediocre Seahawks. The Ravens are, of course, a quality D, but they have a weakness in the secondary that was exposed on that 3rd and 18 play they let the Steelers convert. They are ageing and are not what they were.

I stand by my assertion, the four best Ds in the NFL are the four teams left in the competition.

I just thought you meant statistically they were the four best. Didn't know you meant in your opinion. The former is incorrect, the latter is neither correct nor incorrect.

Screaminmidget

Jets - Packers, i hope. Although Jets will have a tough match, playing away. This will be there 5th match in the last 6 games on the road(i think)

Pherekydes

Tom_Brady wrote: »

The leading defences in total points are 1. Steelers, 2. Packers, 3. Ravens and 4. Bears.

Some say this is the only measure.

Jets are #6. So the last four are ranked 1,2,4 and 6.

jman0war

where is a good place to watch the game(s)?
Portobello?

Not the Woolshed tho, hate that place.

adrian522

Well anywhere with sky will have the first game (starts around 8 I think). Just need to find a place that will turn on the sound. I've found they are reluctant to do this in the portabello.

I was in there once and the guys at the bar wanted it turned off even though they had nothing else they wanted to watch.

I guess the sport itself offended them.

McSorleys could be good as they have loads of TV's and are usually open late. (probalby no sound there either.)

cosatron

packers- steelers.
Packers gave away 18 penalties against the bears in solder field lose and still only lost by 3. If we bring pressure on cultlar he will get erratic and start spraying the ball all over the place.
steelers.
i couldn't believe they turned around and beat the ravens. it was a remarkable performance by big ben in the second half considering he had no run game and got sacked 5 times and i say his still having nightmares about suggs, i think that will bring them on.

minty16

We will see why Cutler is a winner and Rogers is only a sunshine QB on Sunday. Bears by 7.

The Jets-Steelers is going to OT. Coin Flip. Steelers in OT.

cosatron

amazing to say that rodgers is a sunshine QB when he plays at lambeau field.

minty16

cosatron wrote: »

amazing to say that rodgers is a sunshine QB when he plays at lambeau field.

I didn't realise this was an mb where you had to clarify when you're metaphorically speaking.

adrian522

minty16 wrote: »

I didn't realise this was an mb where you had to clarify when you're metaphorically speaking.

In what sense is a he a sunshine QB?

I'd take him over cutler any day of the week.

(Not a packers fan by the way)

minty16

I'm not saying that I wouldn't either. I just think he will bottle it when it comes down to the huge occasions. I've said this about him for a couple of years as I've seen him make so many bad decisions. However he came very close to changing my opinion the other night with a near perfect performance. Cutler on the other hand strikes me as more fired up, and more of a winner. For me he has more fight in him. I'm expecting a big performance from Cutler on Sunday and I know many people are not. I don't support either of the teams and if anything have a slight dislike for the Bears as they crumbled many a bet for me this year,

adrian522

There's obviously muchm ore to the game on Sunday than how the 2 QB's perform but I would have thought that Cutler would be more likely to make mistakes as he has a history of throwing a lot of picks.

Seems to have improved a lot this year but hasn't really been under the pressure he will be on Sunday.

Rodgers and Green bay have now won 3 'must win' games on the bounce

I expect a close game but if pushed I'd put my money on Green bay coming through.

jman0war

adrian522 wrote: »

Well anywhere with sky will have the first game (starts around 8 I think). Just need to find a place that will turn on the sound. I've found they are reluctant to do this in the portabello.

I was in there once and the guys at the bar wanted it turned off even though they had nothing else they wanted to watch.

I guess the sport itself offended them.

McSorleys could be good as they have loads of TV's and are usually open late. (probalby no sound there either.)

What about a place called Camden something, like Camden Hotel or something?
Ever heard of it?
Friend of a friend was suggesting it but i didn't get the full name.

adrian522

Yeah, I know the place but never went in there, its down beside the bleeding horse.

spank_inferno

Both games are very hard to call.

Though the Pack are possibly a more complete team, I think homefield advantage, a choppier pitch & a better rested Bears team will see Chicago through.

I have a sneaking suspicion the Jets will come through against the Steelers.

Aiel

Steelers-Packers for me.Im a die hard Steelers fan and so i have to ask why do people dislike the Steelers so much?:).

Pherekydes

Packers @ Bears: Packers' O to hard to stop; Packers' D can frustrate Cutler and shut down Forte; Packers' ST and Hester? Well 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Should be enough to see the Packers through. Packers by 7 or less.

Jets @ Steelers: Big Ben always rises to the occasion, but the Jets' D is playing superbly. Jets need another great game from Sanchez and the ground game. Maybe the much-maligned Folk can Nick it at the death (maybe OT). Jets by 3 (in OT).

spiralism

Aiel wrote: »

Steelers-Packers for me.Im a die hard Steelers fan and so i have to ask why do people dislike the Steelers so much?:).

The same reason any successful team is popular. Spoilt fans and bandwagoners. Seriously, the steelers rarely ever have bad years, 9-7 and no playoffs is near end of the world with them

I see the other side of it as a Man United fan, if you support a successful team, expect a bit of heat for it

davyjose

Packers and Jets to go through for me.

Jets may have a bit of a hangover after last weekend. There was a bit TOO much celebrating, as if that was their SuperBowl. "Biggest game since SuperBowl 3" and all that Boll0x talk. but if the D plays like it did last week, they won't lose.

I think Green Bay are starting to look very strong, and I'm still not entirely sure about Chicago. Beaten badly by the Pats, and again by GB in soldier field.

frostie500

Steelers Packers for me.

It will be close in Chicago but you cant bet Jay Cutler over Aaron Rodgers!

In the night game, much as I like Rex Ryan, I just cant see the Jets beating the Steelers.

I've said it through the year that Ryan may not be a coach to everyone's taste but he is certainly a great coach. He has his players motivated and playing great football...but I just cant see how the Jets can beat Manning, Brady and Roethlisberger on consecutive weeks. It's too big an ask when you consider the defence that the Steelers will field.

They will force Mark Sanchez to win the game by shutting down the run and as good as Sanchez has shown himself to be in both post seasons of his career he won't out quarterback Roethlisberger. Ben may make a lot of questionable calls off the field but his success on it makes him one of the top qbs of the last 20 years. He has led teams to Superbowls and has the experience that Sanchez doesn't have.

It'll be close but Steelers to win and set up a great clash of storied franchises!

Itssoeasy

Jets

Packers for me

3-5 in the playoffs so.

eagle eye

Bears are not often beat in Soldier Field in big games. As good as the Packers have looked in recent weeks this game will be tough for them. I think its very hard to call and will go right to the wire.

Sanchez is not good enough to beat the Steelers when it matters. I don't care what anybody says about the Jets, their biggest weakness is their QB imo.

I'll go Bears and Steelers. The same old thing has come to the fore again this year and thats that defense wins championships. These four teams have the four best Ds in my estimation anyways.

bobby wade

Pherekydes wrote: »

Packers @ Bears: Packers' O to hard to stop; Packers' D can frustrate Cutler and shut down Forte; Packers' ST and Hester? Well 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Should be enough to see the Packers through. Packers by 7 or less.

QUOTE]

Game 1 the Pack D held Forte but he only had 12 carries as Martz went passy happy & the O-line was truly horrible then

Game 2 Forte had 91 yards rushing & 60 receiving

i don't see them holding Forte at all he has played very well the last few weeks

jman0war

I agree with Bear's running game being a problem.

But if the Packers get their passing game going then the Bears will only be bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Stev_o

This match is going to be sweet! Can't wait to see the intensity between the Packers and Bears. Hopefully we can stick it to the Bears and set our sights on Dallas!

jman0war

yeah i can't wait.

Comparing recent form:

Bears last 6 games:
Won Lions away
Got crushed by Pats at home
Crushed Vikings away
Won over Jets at home
Lost a close one at Packers away
Crushed Seahawks at home


Packers last 6 games
Lost a close one at Lions
Lost a close one at Pats
Crushed Giants at home
Won a close one over Bears at home
Won over Eagles away
Crushed Falcons away

I think the Packers show more consistent results.
What happened to Bears when the Pats played them? It was in Soldier Field and weather was cold.

MeteoritesEire

looking forward to both games---Bears -Packers is such a classic rivalry I expect that to be hard hitting.Bookies have the packers at 1/2 and Bears at 5/3

Jets are 8/5 and Steelers 10/19

I'm gonna throw a few € on the 2 underdogs and enjoy the shows

Pherekydes

bobby wade wrote: »

Game 1 the Pack D held Forte but he only had 12 carries as Martz went passy happy & the O-line was truly horrible then

Game 2 Forte had 91 yards rushing & 60 receiving

i don't see them holding Forte at all he has played very well the last few weeks

Game 1: 23 carries for 110 yds and 1 TD. Result: Loss

Game 2: 10 carries for 39 yds and 1 TD. Result: Huge win.

Nobody thought the Pack would stop Michael Turner either. They didn't just stop him; they took Atlanta's entire running game away by keeping the ball from them for 38 minutes and scoring on every possession while it mattered.