As the month of January winds down, it reminds me of two things. The Superbowl and March Madness. The biggest and most exciting postseason tournament is looming and that is the NCAA men's field of 68. You will not see more buzzer beaters, underdogs upsets, and heroic performances then in this season. As we approach conference championship month (February) I will be blogging once to twice a week about important games in the NCAA and important games to see.
It is championship Sunday in the NFL!!! Typically this weeks conference chamionship games are better to watch then the Superbowl. This weeks matchup include re-matches from the regular season. The Jets and Steelers played in Week 15 at Pittsburgh where the New York Jets won a huge 22-17 decision that would dispell any thought of a collapse to their season. The ability to now go back into Heinz field and beat the Steelers again is a difficult one, but nobody thought the Jets would still be here. I will role with the dark horse here, Jets 24 Pitt 21.
The NFC Chamionship will be an ugly gritty matchup between NFC North foes. Their first matchup was a week 3 victory in Chicago. Their second was a Week 17 matchup that Green Bay prevailed in 10-3 to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC. You could see in that game, a game in which Chicago had nothing to play for, that they did want want Green Bay in the playoff picture. Chicago's starters played the entire game and still could not prevent Green Bay from the postseason. Green Bay 17 Chicago 14
After the New York Jets stunning upset of the 14-2 AFC East Champion New England Patriots, most were singing the praises of Darelle Revis, Mark Sanchez, Santonio Holmes and of course their leader Rex Ryan. Most forgot the man who was a compensation pick for the Bellicheck debacle back in 2000. That man as most true Jets fans know is Shaun Ellis. Ellis (11th year veteran),hasn't had a double digit sack season since the 04-05 season but on Sunday he may of had his best game of his career on one of the biggest stages. With 2 sacks and 5 solo tackles, it seemed Shaun Ellis was always putting pressure on Tom Brady. He was as they say "Unblockable." He was a man possessed to beat a team that he has seen time and time again beat the Jets and make the Superbowl time and time again under first Bledsoe and now Brady. Ellis who has only missed 6 regular season games in his 11 year career, is the epitomy of consistency in a league that is known for instability especially at the Defensive End position. Fortunately enough for me, I will once again have the pleasue of watching the Jets play in an AFC Championship game for the second consecutive year.
P.S.
I will have predictions on Thursday for both games.
FYI to all. Last week I had the Jets, Baltimore, Chicago, and GreenBay. Another 3-1 week which puts me at 6-2 this postseason.
-Chris Bruno
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