NFL Playoffs Preview

NFL Championship Sunday is in a few days. Here's some thoughts on the two championship games that decide the Super Bowl participants:

AFC Championship Game: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots
3:00 PM EST on CBS
Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA
Estimated Gametime Temperature: 23 degrees

The undefeated New England Patriots host the San Diego Chargers in a game that is reaching rivalry proportions. New England has knocked San Diego out of the playoffs the last couple of seasons and San Diego has been trash-talkin' all week. Memo to any team about to play the Patriots: Don't trash talk, it only inspires them to whoop your butt further. Just look at the Pittsburgh Steelers/Patriots game. Anyhow, the Chargers are definitely blessed with talent (the best running back in the game, LaDainian Tomlinson, several players on defense like Shawn Merriman) but they're going into Foxboro where the Patriots have rarely, if ever, lost a playoff game. While the weather will be suitable for LaDainian and San Diego's running game, the Patriots have stopped him in previous games and will probably do the same again. The game will be close, but the Patriots will be heading to Super Bowl XLII in Arizona to continue their quest for perfection.

NFC Championship Game: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
6:30 PM EST on FOX
Lambeau Field - Green Bay, WI
Estimated Gametime Temperature: 6 degrees

The Giants shocked the Dallas Cowboys last week 21-17 and the Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-20. I think the Giants, who have won on the road all season long, will have great difficulty playing in sold-out Lambeau Field in 6 degree weather with snow flurries to boot. The Packers have historically played well when at home in the playoffs due to the weather, hence the phrase "on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field." While the Giants' quarterback, Eli Manning, has played well in the past two playoff games, what happens when a couple of drives stall? The Packers have a tremendous defense and have the offense to score in bunches. Both teams have a power running game, which is necessary in cold weather, but the Packers have a slight edge there. I think Green Bay will win in a game that can become a blowout.

So overall, I think the Super Bowl matchup will be the New England Patriots vs. the Green Bay Packers.