Back to the Future- Conference Championship Style

Nostalgia reigns supreme as we decide the teams meeting in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV
this weekend. Historic rivalries renewed and legendary franchises taking the field to determine who will play for the Lombardi Trophy. The fact that both AFC and NFC Championships take place outside in wintry January climes only ensures a sense of yesterday to the proceedings as cold, snow and less than ideal field conditions provide a backdrop of a time gone by. Even the Jets seem like a team with significant history, their own legend cemented in football lore forever by the brash prediction of their hero, Joe Namath, who guaranteed victory prior to Super Bowl III and then went out and delivered just that. So with the atmosphere guaranteed, time to raise the curtain:

1. Green Bay vs Chicago- This one just screams history, and the fact that long term divisional rivals meet for the Conference title only adds to the drama and intensity. There has been no better story than Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and as Brees was to 2010, perhaps Rodgers will be to 2011, a player in the perfect place and time. Doesn't hurt to have a defense peaking and the sudden discovery of a running game either. In fact both teams have discovered the simplicity of 3 yards and a cloud of dust over the last half of the season. They will need it- the team that can grind out first downs tomorrow in poor conditions at Soldier Field likely takes the game. Don't expect the Bears to go quietly, Jay Cutler and the rest of the Monsters of the Midway have been amongst the best teams in the NFC in the final part of the season and they did beat the Pack early in this campaign. Bears offensive mastermind Mike Martz is capable of creating a game plan that will test the abilities of Green Bay's surging defense and it is only a few years since this Bears team was in the show, so a knowledge of how to win big still permeates the culture of Bear land. A Bears upset is certainly possible but Rodgers seems like a player imbued with a sense of destiny this year and to that end, make it Packers by 3.

2. New York vs. Pittsburgh- Remember at the beginning of the year when everyone thought the Steelers were done as Ben Roethlisberger sat idle for 4 weeks? Fast forward and, SURPRISE!! Here we are yet again at Heinz Field for a conference championship game. The Steel Curtain defense under the wizardry of Dick LeBeau has, time and again this year been the difference maker and tomorrow's game could be the latest of superb defensive efforts by the Steelers D, Harrison and Polamalu the iconic standard bearers of defense's past. From Hard Knocks to winning lucky to foot fetish's to striking down Darth Vader last week in Foxboro, the Jets season has been a season unparalleled. The simple truth behind all the media hype is that these guys can flat out play and as all champions do are coming together at the right time. Coached by a guy who never met a headline he didn't like, these Jets seem to have found common purpose in winning for Coach Ryan and themselves behind a steadily improving Mark Sanchez, who this year only goes out and wins . There is some urgency for New York- LaDainian Tomlinson, so long looking to achieve the big game in San Diego and the faithful Jason Taylor, who gave so much to Miami and Washington now are on the brink or realizing a career's work. Alas, I don't feel it's meant to be....going against that little voice screaming: J-E-T-S and taking Steeler black and gold by 4.

Excuses, explanations and group hugs singing Kumbaya on Monday.