Sports Report 360 NFC Playoff Breakdown Week 3

The winner of their next 4 quarters of football is headed to Dallas.  The winner of their next 8 quarters of football will be crowned Superbowl Champions.  Green Bay comes into the game as many analysts trendy pick to make it to the Superbowl.  The Packers appear to be peaking at the right time of the season fresh off playoff victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons.  The Bears flew under the radar for most of the season and now find themselves in position to make the Superbowl with a victory on Sunday.  The Bears easily defeated the Seahawks 35-24, but the game really was not that close.  It would have been nice to have a little trash talk from the coaches or players this week.  The fans will exchange plenty of trash talk throughout the week before the game.  The weather will be bitterly cold and the game will have plenty of hard hits. The stage is set for a great game between the Packers and the Bears.

January 23rd, 2011 NFC Conference Championship
Green Bay Packers (6) vs. Chicago Bears (2) at Soldier Field 3:00 pm EST

Offense:  Most people have jumped on the Aaron Rodgers’ bandwagon and would think the Packers have the better offense.  The Packers do have a deeper receiving unit with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones.   However, rushing yards will be extremely important this week.  Matt Forte and Chester Taylor give the Bears an advantage over Brandon Jackson and James Starks of the Packers in the rushing game.  Since the Packers typically blitz a lot, the Bears will run a lot of screen plays during the game, which will be extremely effective against the Packers’ defense. The Bears will play well at home.

Defense: Both defenses have been in the top five throughout the season.  The game comes down to which superstars play better.  The Packers’ defense will rely on Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson.  The Bears’ defense will rely on Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher.  The team that gets the first two turnovers will win the game. The Bears have had the stronger run defense this season, which should be an advantage for the Bears at home.

Special Teams: Devin Hester is the best returner in NFL history and gives the Bears a decided advantage on special teams. The Packers better kick the ball out of bounds otherwise Hester will really hurt their chances of winning the game.

Coaching:  Coach McCarthy should be commended for getting his team to play well in the playoffs.  The Packers have two road victories in the playoffs, which is difficult to do.  However, the Packers playoff run is over.  The Bears will win this game.  The Bears know how to beat the Packers.  Coach Lovie Smith will have the Bears ready to win a football game at home.  Coach Lovie Smith is finally off of the hot seat because of Brian Urlacher’s strong endorsement for him to remain coach this week.  When two teams know each other so well, the game is generally decided on the ground and the Bears have a better rushing game than the Packers. The Bears will win the NFC Conference Championship and have a legitimate shot to win the Superbowl this season.