I am not saying anything new to the true NFL fans. This is the best weekend of the NFL. The Conference final games are intense,hard fighting, and the best time a team is right on target and in the groove. There have been some Conference games that have been a huge disappointment inthe past but usually they are close, intense, and have some sort of rivalry connection. There is not a two week break where players are courted as celebrities, coaches spouse off the best strategy for a two week break and reporters from all across the world ask the player the most inane questions. This weekend is pure football. It is not about the half time show. It is not about the commercials that most will be following on twitter two weeks later. It is the end of the football season. The next game enters the entertainment season.
I know that many of you will be saying that the last few Super Bowls have been close and tight and you are correct. I grew up in an era when most Super Bowls were boring unless the Steelers were playing the Cowboys. But it isn’t football in the Super Bowl, it is the American Idol final combined with some sort of twisted Miss America final. I am not implying at all that that once the pomp and ego stops and the game begins that the players aren’t playing to win. I am sure most are, but I dare anyone to compare the play of those in the Super Bowl to those who are going to be playing this Sunday. It is a whole different ball game.
I think Cutler is going to feel the pressure and the defensive backs of Green Bay will take over the game toward the end of the second quarter. I think Rodgers will be in total control of the game midway in the 3rd Quarter. I think it will be a 37-21 game. I do think it will be a tight game until mid way through the third quarter. After that, I think it will be time to eat some snacks, refresh some drinks and see if the Bears can make a miracle comeback.
Polamalu will be the MVP of the AFC finals. Ben will have a decent game and Sanchez will have an OK game but will need learn more how to be a winner along with his coach. Jets might be there next year, but not this year. I do think this game will go deep into the 4th quarter. Steelers fans are full of themselves but the team seems to lack a confidence. I think it will take a ver like Polamalu or Ben, or maybe some obtuse secondary player to win the game for the Steelers, but I do think it will happen at the end of the game.
I do hope both games are close. I hope it goes down to the last five minutes. Even if it doesn’t though, I do think this is the best Sunday in the NFL.