The Philadelphia Eagles State of the Union: A Letter to the Eagles Organization

Usually during this post-season, there always has been commotion from the Philadelphia Eagles — particularly from their fans.  But this season, there have been little public outcries of beheadings from Eagles fans, much like the calling of Donovan McNabb from the past few seasons. The Philadelphia Eagles defense has remained 12th this season, resulting in firing of defensive staff.  Meanwhile, Buddy Ryan’s defense has evolved to deal with the West Coast offense, containing even rushing quarterbacks.  As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles tore apart the late Jim Johnson’s schematics, removing former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and defensive line coach Rory Segrest.

This is a letter to the Philadelphia Eagles organization since many Eagles fans are without their pitchforks publicly this season, as in many seasons prior.

Dear Philadelphia Eagles organization:

Now that President Barack Obama is finished with his address to the new Congress, combined with Republicans, Tea Party members and Democrats.  Obama is primed for real change this time around, and the Eagles have done the same, removing much of the defensive staff.  But were such drastic measures necessary?

In this letter, I will focus on three things — investment, infrastructure and education — much like Obama’s speech.

Investment

Investment is one word that may have differing meanings from the owner Jeff Lurie to the players on the field, but the Philadelphia Eagles may have burnt their investments from time to time.  First, it was Donovan McNabb being traded to the Washington Redskins who will be released again.  Although he could never bring the Eagles past the Wild Card or Divisional rounds of the playoffs, he did bring cohesiveness to the team, particularly in 2004.  Second, after Jim Johnson’s passing in July 2009, Sean McDermott was released, and Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers snatched him up.  He was not given much time for a “rebuilding” period.  Now his bright and creative mind is lost to the Panthers. Lastly, the investment in the fans has been lost much of this year of frustration and disappointment.  Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson pulled out of the Pro Bowl only to be replaced by the Philadelphia Eagles rival and counterpart, Dallas Cowboys Miles Austin.  Eagles quarterback Michael Vick fell apart, as he was pounded by the Green Bay Packers linemen, in the NFC Wild Card game at home, at Lincoln Financial Field.  Eagles fans had their hearts torn out, as we were close yet so far again.   

Infrastructure

We are without infrastructure for our team and seeking identity, using that particular catchphrase of the NFL. With Sean McDermott and Rory Segrest out of the Eagles organization, the Eagles are hoping to interview Green Bay Packers secondary coach Darren Perry for the defensive coordinator position after the Super Bowl.  Perhaps Andy Reid is relying on Perry’s experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their defensive back coach from 2004 to 2006. He could develop a formidable defense, but it is all a matter of speculation for now.  Right now, the gamble for one man may be too much if Darren Perry perhaps decides to stay with the Packers or gets a better offer.  The Eagles defensive identity is presently absent, and the Eagles offensive identity rests on one man’s shoulders, Michael Vick.  Although he performed better this year than he did with the Atlanta Falcons, his tendencies bit him — and the Eagles offense — late in the season, when it mattered the most.

Education

We, the Eagles fans, are not a stupid bunch.  We may be rowdy, occasionally rude, but we are among one of the most educated sports fans out there.  National sports magazines put us at least in the top 10, if not in the top 5 sports cities.  At least give the fans their due for our support in the past seasons, despite the failings of the team.  And please have an alternate plan for the defensive coordinator should it not work out as expected.  And an alternate plan for the quarterback situation, involving both Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb, should it not work out as expected. And alternate plans to those alternate plans…

Thank you,

Tex and Eagles Nation

2011 Pro Bowl Post-Game Analysis: How the NFC Was Won

Although this event has no bearing on the NFL regular season, it does give some time for some of the NFL players to play some backyard football in Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.  This event could be made more interesting if it had bearing like the MLB All-Star Game, but homefield advantage is determine by seed, not by an external event like the All-Star Game for baseball.  The Pro Bowlers who attended this event got their daily boost of endorsements out in the open and  more jerseys and memorabilia were sold in the process.  The television advertisers can also advertise their wares and prepare to spend millions for the Super Bowl within a week afterwards. Although the players are competing, this is still just backyard football, just on the national stage.

Now to the post-game analysis of this meaningless NFL event:

• In the first quarter, San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers for the AFC played smart football from the outset until he began falling apart at the close of it.
• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is one versatile back although he did fumble.
• Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli scored the first touchdown for NFC from a yard out, and Falcons wide receiver Roddy White 23-yard reception from Michael Vick helped.
• Tennessee Titans wide receiver Marc Mariani 52-yard return from David Akers 74-yard kick was amazing until Phillip Rivers interception by Washington Redskins London Fletcher.
• Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson runs for 17 yards and 14 yards were amazing, and the 14-yarder led to 14-o lead by the NFC.
• Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning replaced Philip Rivers, and he got intercepted by Atlanta Falcons Brent Grimes on the first series out.  Wow.
• Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan to his tight end Tony Gonzalez from 4 yards out led to another score for the NFC 21-0.  New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wasn’t a happy man.
• Atlanta Falcons DeAngelo Hall was the man for the first half.  He got an interception off of Philip Rivers, and he returned a fumble off of New England Patriots Wes Welker from 34 yards out and another NFC touchdown for a score of 28-0.
• Matt Ryan’s bomb to Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald from 25 yards out was amazing and led to another touchdown for a score of 35-0.
• Kansas City Chiefs Matt Cassel of the AFC got intercepted by Minnesota Vikings Antoine Winfield on his first series out.
• St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson’s rush from 21 yards out for another touchdown for the NFC led the score to 42-0.  I have never seen or experienced even a backyard football game with a rout like this.
• Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles carried the entire AFC team into the half for their first touchdown from 8 yards out for a score of 42-7.
• Opening the second half, Chargers Philip Rivers laser to Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne from 16 yards out was great, and it led to another AFC score to bring the game to 42-14.
• The fumble recovery on the kickoff by Jacksonville Jaguars Montell Owens from 8 yards out brought the game to 42-21 for the AFC.
• Another Philips River laser to Jacksonville Jaguars Marcedes Lewis from 28 yards out for another AFC score of 45-28.  Fantastic pass by Rivers…
• Matt Cassel’s interception by Carolina Panthers Jon Beason from 49 yards out nearly closed the game for the NFC with the score of 55-28.
• Matt Cassel’s 7 yard pass to Montell Owens brought the score to 55-35, and it was almost their last gasp.
• The lateral to Cleveland Browns Alex Mack from Montell Owens to the final AFC score of 55-41 from 40 yards out was something for the record books.  It was the good old backyard football play to end the game for the AFC.

The NFC won 55-41 over the AFC in this Pro Bowl match. Hopefully, this game doesn’t forecast how the Super Bowl will turn out with one team essentially dominating another. Luckily for us, this is just the Pro Bowl, and Jay Glazer won’t be calling plays on either side of the ball nor a streaker running in the middle of the field (hopefully — on both counts).  Whereas the Pro Bowl didn’t turn out to be a defensive battle, the Super Bowl should be. Both quarterbacks, Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers, should be constantly harassed, and their defenses are both capable of hindering their respective rushers of the Steelers Rashard Mendenhall and Packers James Starks. Let the countdown begin…

Jeff Fisher Out of the Tennessee Titans: The Bill Cowher Effect

The Tennessee Titans have released Jeff Fisher as their head coach after the drama between Vince Young and himself earlier in the season and also, according to Fisher himself, he needed a break from the NFL.  I don’t blame him, as the sport itself has lost its professionalism and increased its profits.  But the crux of the departure lies in him not being able to employ his family, more specifically Jeff Fisher’s son, Brandon, which did not settle well with Titans owner Bud Adams. Fisher wanted to employ Brandon as the quality control coach, and he would help while offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger was receiving treatment for his cancer.

Now the Tennessee Titans organization have started looking for a replacement for Jeff Fisher.  Although Jeff Fisher’s team has been in decline over the past three years, Fisher had a presence in the locker room, and most of the locker room respected his authority and gameplans. During the 1999-2000 Wild Card playoffs between the Tennesee Titans and the Buffalo Bills, it was during Jeff Fisher’s tenure that the Music City Miracle occurred on January 8, 2000.  It was one of the most memorable comebacks by the Titans as the special teams coordinator Alan Lowry called the “Home Run Throwback” during the close of the last quarter of the game.  Upon kickoff by the Bills kicker Steve Christie, then Titans tight end Frank Wycheck threw a lateral to Kevin Dyson for a 75-yard touchdown, ending the game with the Bills defeat of a score of 22-16 and crushing then Bills coach Wade Phillips in the process.

But the Music City Miracle is now extinguished as Jeff Fisher, one of the longer active coaches in the NFL, has departed.  The Philadelphia Eagles fans hoped on a string and a prayer that Fisher would return to the Eagles as their defensive coordinator, but it was nothing more than a pipedream to begin with.

By the looks of the situation right now, Jeff Fisher looks to retire and ride into the sunset.  It doesn’t appear that television appeals to him.  Like Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who himself is still in demand around the NFL, who resigned after 15 seasons with the Steelers, it was Jeff Fisher’s turn to resign after his 16th with the Tennesee Titans.  Agreeing with Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch, Fisher will remain in demand in the NFL for quite some time.  Although the Titans may have luck in finding a similar replacement coach who can demonstrate that he can be successful, like the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin, their past history hasn’t shown that it will repeat itself so easily.  The Music City Miracle has left the building, and he will be sorely missed by the Titans fans among others.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Pre-Game Analysis

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers are meeting in Dallas Stadium for the Super Bowl in about a week.  In the meantime, their respective teams can get some rest and perhaps recover some of those who may have been injured in their conference playoff games.  The Pittsburgh Steelers against the New York Jets was a physical game, and the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Bears was just as physical, if not more.  For the Steelers game, their defense and their running game with Rashard Mendenhall broke the Jets backs.  And for the Green Bay Packers team, their defense and the combination of Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings won their game.

Now to the pre-game analysis of the Super Bowl:

Quarterbacks

Neither quarterback was particularly impressive in their last conference championship game.  The Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger had 133 yards passing, 2 interceptions and a 35.5 quarterback rating against the New York Jets; and, the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers had 244 yards, 2 interceptions and 55.4 quarterback rating against the Chicago Bears. However, in the post-season, Aaron Rodgers is currently ranked 1st in quarterback rating at 109.2 while Ben Roethlisberger is ranked 10th with an overall quarterback rating of 75.5. During the regular season, Aaron Rodgers was similarly more effective than Ben Roethlisberger. Aaron Rodgers had 3,922 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and overall quarterback rating of 101.2, which was 3rd overall rating during the regular season.  On the other side of the ball, Ben Roethlisberger had 3,200 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and an overall quarterback rating of 97.0, which was 5th overall during the regular season.  Given these statistics, the edge goes to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers by a moderate margin.  As of this time though, Rodgers is battling a sore shoulder during a hit that occurred during his game with the Chicago Bears. It shouldn’t change things though, unless he suffers another concussion.

Running Backs

Pittsburgh Steelers primary running back Rashard Mendenhall went on a tear against the New York Jets, rushing 121 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4.5 yards per carry.  Presently, in the post-season, Mendenhall is ranked 3rd in rushing yardage, has 3 touchdowns and averaging 3.6 yards per attempt.  Mendenhall was equally impressive during the regular season, as he was ranked 7th overall in rushing yardage. He had 1,273 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns and averaged 3.9 yards per carry. His reliever Isaac Redman contributed 247 yards during the regular season and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. On the opposite side of the ball, the previously third option James Starks of the Green Bay Packers has risen in the post-season.  He is currently ranked 1st overall in rushing yardage with 263 yards rushing, a touchdown and averaging 3.8 yards per attempt in the post-season.  During the regular season, however, he had a meager 101 yards rushing and averaged 3.5 yards per carry.  His reliever, now former starter Brandon Jackson, has only 28 yards during the post-season, but he’s become more of a wide receiver during these playoffs. During the regular season, Jackson had 703 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns, averaged 3.7 yards per attempt and ranked 33rd overall.  Rashard Mendenhall and the Pittsburgh Steelers get the edge on this one by a wide margin, if Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sticks with his present gameplan.

Wide Receivers

This is one interesting battle.  Starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, their receiving duo consists of Mike Wallace and Hines Ward. Mike Wallace of the Steelers was impressive during the regular season, racking up 1,257 yards receiving, 1o touchdowns and averaged 21.0 yards per reception.  He was ranked 5th overall in receiving yardage overall during the regular season, but in the post-season, he hasn’t made an impact yet. Meanwhile, Hines Ward had 755 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns and averaged 12.8 yards per reception.  With the Green Bay Packers, the tandem of Greg Jennings and James Jones were originally the pair to be reckoned with during the regular season, but Jordy Nelson has replaced James Jones as the second wide receiver threat during the playoffs.  Greg Jennings, however, is currently ranked 1st overall in the post-season with 239 yards receiving and averaging 14.1 yards per reception. During the regular season, Jennings was equally impressive.  He had 1,265 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, averaged 16.6 yards per reception and was ranked 4th overall in receiving yards during the regular season.  Comparatively, during the regular season, James Jones had 679 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns and averaged 13.6 yards per reception, and Jordy Nelson 582 yards, 2 touchdowns and averaged 12.9 yards per reception.  During the post-season, however, Jordy Nelson currently has 146 yards, a touchdown, averaging 12.2 yards per reception and is currently ranked 5th overall in receiving yardage.  Suffice it to say, the Green Bay Packers wide receiving corps is much more of a threat than the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Packers get the edge.

Tight Ends

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller has maintained himself as a consistent threat into the post-season, with 77 yards receiving, a touchdown and is currently ranked 19th overall in receiving yardage.  During the regular season, he had 512 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns and averaged 12.2 yards per reception. On the Green Bay side of the ball, Andrew Quarless or Donald Lee have not been much of a factor during the regular season or the post-season. During the regular season, Quarless had 238 yards receiving, a touchdown and averaged 11.3 yards per reception.  And Lee had 73 yards receiving, 3 touchdowns and averaged 6.6 yards per reception. Heath Miller and the Pittsburgh Steelers get the edge on this one by sufficient margin.

Defenses

Both of these defenses have been the difference maker during nearly all the post-season games that they have played.  During the regular season, the Steelers defense was ranked 12th against the pass, 1st against the run and 2nd overall in the league.  Their playmakers were many.  During the regular season, Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons recorded 135 tackles and was ranked 8th overall. Safety Troy Polamalu recorded 7 interceptions during the regular season and was ranked 3rd overall in the league. To date, Lawrence Timmons has 19 sacks and is 4th overall in the post-season. Linebacker James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers have contributed 3 sacks in the playoffs and is currently ranked 3rd overall. During the regular season, the Green Bay Packers defense was ranked 5th against the pass, 18th against the rush and 5th overall.  Linebacker Clay Matthews was ranked 3rd overall in sacks with 13.5 by the end of the regular season, and cornerback Tramon Williams had 6 interceptions and was ranked 5th overall in interceptions.  Both of these defensive backs have maintained their momentum into the playoffs.  Clay Matthews recorded 3.5 sacks to his name and is ranked 2nd overall currently in sacks.  And Tramon Williams is ranked 1st with 3 interceptions in the post-season with his fellow cornerback Sam Shields who is currently ranked 2nd with 2 interceptions.  In terms of numbers and playmakers, the edge goes to the Green Bay Packers, but should Mike Tomlin retain his gameplan previously, the edge should go the Pittsburgh Steelers in reality.

Coaches/Intangibles

Both of these head coaches have adapted and changed their gameplans accordingly in the playoffs.  Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Packers coach Mike McCarthy have both relied on the run and the pass when necessary.  The talent though still runs on the side of the Green Bay Packers, although Rashard Mendenhall could possibly be featured again against the Packers.  This remains a push, although the injury to Aaron Rodgers may be a concern in the Super Bowl itself.

The Edge

The edge goes to the Green Bay Packer2 24-20, but this score may be a conservative estimate.  In any case, Aaron Rodgers should find a way to squeak one past the Pittsburgh Steelers stifling defense in the last few minutes of the game.  This game will be hard-fought between these two teams though, and it should be a physical matchup and a mental one between the coaches.

The Philadelphia Eagles Without a Defensive Coordinator: Without a Heir on Andy Reid’s Head

Well, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid and his family have finished their week of vacation time, and the Philadelphia Eagles have run out of publicly known candidates for the defensive coordinator position.  Sean McDermott, the Eagles former defensive coordinator, was recently fired and just as quickly hired by new head coach Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers.  Although the Eagles defense hasn’t been the caliber it once has under the late Jim Johnson, the defense remained 12th overall from last season.  It wasn’t great, but it was respectable.

Now Dennis Allen, the former assistant defensive line coach of the New Orleans Saints since 2006, has chosen to go become defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos and passed on the Philadelphia Eagles position. He will be joining former Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox with John Elway as vice president of football operations. Professionally, these potential Eagles defensive coordinators have already been taken and were pursued aggressively by other teams.  But it’s not the Eagles lack of urgency that is really disturbing in hindsight.

The most important question remains why all of these potential candidates have turned down the open position.  Or to put it another way, why have these potential candidates not aggressively pursue the open position?  That remains some food for thought  — and maybe a bitter pill to swallow.  Now the Eagles may have to potentially choose candidates among perhaps the New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers.  At this point, I don’t see these teams willing to part with their defensive coaches or coordinators so easily.  The loss of the late Jim Johnson has impacted this team a year and a half later and has left this team now without a heir to his throne.

The Other Stuff: Fox NFL Commentator Troy Aikman Divorces His Wife Rhonda Before the Pro Bowl

Aside from the festivities that will come into the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, Troy Aikman has divorced his wife Rhonda after 8 years, and this divorce has come before the Pro Bowl.  Although this does not fundamentally affect the NFL, it may affect the upcoming broadcasts as Troy Aikman, a Fox NFL color commentator, may be mired in legal troubles perhaps off-camera.  It shouldn’t have direct impact on Aikman’s job, but financially, it might.

Ten years ago, Troy Aikman married his wife, Rhonda Worthy, a former publicist for the Dallas Cowboys, and now have three daughters, including one previously from Rhonda’s former marriage. Professionally, he led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowls during the 1990s and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006.  He also owns Hall of Fame Racing of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and is part-owner of the San Diego Padres.

In my opinion, Aikman is one of better commentators for Fox, particularly when opposite of Joe Buck.  Although his analysis isn’t as deep as Howie Long‘s, for example, he does make astute observations about the game, especially from the quarterback’s perspective of the sport.  However troublesome this personal matter may be, his credentials professionally in the sport of football speak for themselves.

The Fall of Jay Cutler and the Rise of Caleb Hanie: The Chicago Bears without Their Claws

Quarterback Jay Cutler in their NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers injured a sprained MCL, an ankle injury, and he did not play after the second half of the game.  He did not play well during that game with only a 31.8 quarterback rating on 80 yards and an interception.  He soon joined Todd Collins, his backup, who did not fare any better. Collins had a 39.6 quarterback rating when his short debut in this playoff game.

Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel and San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillips Rivers said they did not understand why Jay Cutler sat out and would have fought to be brought back in the game.  However, Cutler didn’t.  Perhaps it was because coach Lovie Smith cut him short in the locker room during halftime, but I agree that Cutler should have argued on the sideline with Lovie Smith after being pulled, despite him playing poorly.  Cutler demonstrated he has no heart or will to fight in the NFL, even when the cards are stacked against him.  He became “Jay Quitler.” Heck, even Rex Grossman had more heart than he did, and he consistently played poorly while with the Chicago Bears.

With the rise of third option Caleb Hanie during the game, Hanie nearly made a comeback for the Chicago Bears.  Hanie however performed better than either Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Chicago Bears backup Todd Collins or their starter Jay Cutler.  Hanie had a 65.2 quarterback rating on a touchdown and 2 interceptions on 153 yards. Perhaps next season, it will be the season of Caleb Hanie for the Chicago Bears.  The Bears can’t ask for any worse at this point since they released Rex Grossman to the Washington Redskins.

What I Learned this Conference Playoff Weekend

This was one fantastic Sunday for football.  The Chicago Bears kept it close, despite using the third option quarterback of Caleb Hanie and the overpowering offense of the Green Bay Packers. Coach Lovie Smith and the Bears should be proud, and they should only have to make some minimal adjustments for next year. The Pittsburgh Steelers won over the New York Jets 24-19 in one tough game.  The Jets nearly made the comeback, but Mark Sanchez could not generate a two-minute offense and move his team down the field quicker. Ultimately, it was Pittsburgh Steelers rushing offense that controlled the clock and the scoreboard. Now Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in one heck of a Super Bowl.

Here’s what I learned this conference playoff weekend:

• Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is a beast, considering he had 121 yards rushing against the stiff New York Jets defense.
• Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is a beast.  He had 13o receiving yards in his game against the Chicago Bears.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is stifling.  It contained the New York Jets offense to only 50 yards at the half, with 1 yard rushing.
• The New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez needs to practice the two-minute drill more.  Hopefully, it’s not Donovan McNabb‘s two-minute drill. Sanchez should shoot for Peyton Manning’s two-minute drill.
• The New York Jets running back LaDanian Tomlinson‘s tank isn’t quite empty, but he is no longer the threat he was when he was the San Diego Chargers.
• Although Packers running back James Starks isn’t Ryan Grant, he has shown tremendous potential.  Whether the Packers win or lose in the Super Bowl, the starting position in their backfield may be up for grabs next season.
• Both quarterbacks Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger are strong and mobile.  It will be interesting to see how they will fare in the Super Bowl.
• However, both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger performed miserably in their previous game. Rodgers had a 55.4 quarterback rating on 2 interceptions and Roethlisberger had a 35.5 quarterback rating on 2 interceptions. But their respective defenses stepped up at the right time and helped them win the game.
• Good Caleb Hanie is much better than Bad Jay Cutler or Bad Todd Collins.  Good Caleb Hanie may even be better than Good Jay Cutler, but that will be determined next season.

Now, let’s get ready for the Super Bowl with pizzas, chips, sodas, assorted “adult beverages” and whatever else that might be cooking.  Although it shouldn’t be shootouts like the past Super Bowls, this game will be physical and could have as much drama as some hockey games.

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: AFC Championship Post-Game Analysis

The New York Jets, with their quarterback, Mark Sanchez, defeated two tough opponents in their wake, the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. The New York Jets arrived at Heinz Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, for one of the most physically demanding challengers of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets and the Steelers battled each other tonight in one heck of a physical game after the one in Soldier Field.

Now to the post-game analysis of the AFC Championship:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers did a good job of establishing the run on their first drive  with their running back Rashard Mendenhall that ended with 28 yards rushing and a touchdown.
• The Steelers kept on rushing with Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman with more than 100 yards pounded the Jets defense into the half.  Steelers coach Mike Tomlin kept his formula in past successful games by establishing  the run early with Rashard Mendenhall, rather than giving up on the run early like he has a tendency to do.
• William Gay’s 19-yard fumble return for a touchdown sealed the half at 24-0 for the Steelers.
• Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a mediocre quarterback rating of 42.6 into the half. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was not much better at 42.4.
• The 45-yard pass from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes was amazing to close the lead to 24-10. The bootleg by Sanchez against the pursuing Steelers defense opened up the pass. Obviously, Rex Ryan gave the offense a talk to wake them up.
• The Jets defense finally woke up in the second half of the game.  With three negative plays near the end of the third quarter from the Steelers, it gave the Jets more time on offense.  Additionally, the Jets defense bottled up the rush from Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman.
• The safety on Ben Roethlisberger mid-fourth quarter was disastrous for the Steelers to bring the score to 24-12.  It gave the Jets two points, the ball back and their continued momentum.  But the Jets wasted too much time to bring the score to 24-19.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won at Heinz Field to the score of 24-19 over the New York Jets.  Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets performed admirably at a 1o2.2 quarterback rating on 2 touchdowns and 233 yards passing.  Now the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl in Dallas.  It will be a battle of balanced offenses, and it will be interesting to see if the Steelers defense can contain Aaron Rodgers and the weapons at his disposal.

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: NFC Championship Post-Game Analysis

This was one of the oldest rivalries sorting itself out on Soldier Field, with Aaron Rodgers and his explosive wide receivers against the stalwart defense of the Chicago Bears, led by Brian Urlacher.  This was the ultimate rubber-band match for these two rivals this season — whoever wins goes to the Super Bowl.  The Chicago Bears won in week 3 of the regular season with a 20-17 score and lost in week 17 against the Green Bay Packers 10-3.  The Bears intended on shutting out the Packers from arriving into the playoffs by using their starters in that last game, but they couldn’t stop the fourth quarter drive against Aaron Rodgers.  It’s Lovie Smith vs. Mike McCarthy, Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher vs. Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings and Jay Cutler vs. Clay Matthews…

Now here comes the NFC Conference playoffs and its analysis:

• Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers started off early in the first quarter with passes to Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings and James Starks. And an amazing Rodgers’ 1-yard rush for a touchdown as a first strike against the Chicago Bears.
• Bears running back Matt Forte‘s early first quarter 24-yard reception from quarterback Jay Cutler was stunning.
• The almost-close safety late first quarter to Jay Cutler was avoided barely with a jump pass to Matt Forte (that was dropped).  That was too close for comfort for the Bears and their fans.
• James Starks got his first NFL career touchdown from 4-yards out, and it extended the lead to 14-0 for the Packers.
• Bad Jay Cutler finally showed up in this critical game with a quarterback rating of 34.1 with only 80 yards passing and an interception into the half.  Unfortunately, Bad Jay Cutler additionally was replaced with backup Todd Collins after the half. The game for the Bears started to spiral downwards afterwards.
• Green Bay Packers had 103 total yards rushing between Aaron Rodgers, James Starks and Brandon Jackson into the half.  The Packers established a running threat albeit a bit unconventionally with Rodgers in the equation, but it was first assisted by the receiving duo of Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson with 115 yards combined into the half.
• Near the end of the fourth quarter, the interception from Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears from a pass intended for Packers wide receiver Donald Driver was answered with an interception from Sam Shields with a pass intended to Johnny Knox.
• Brian Urlacher’s 39-yard  interception return of Aaron Rodgers could not swing the momentum into the Bears favor as the offense sputtered under Todd Collins.
• Then in came Caleb Hanie, the third option at quarterback for the Bears late third quarter with both an injured Jay Cutler and an anemic Todd Collins on the sidelines.
• Caleb Hanie’s drive ended with Chester Taylor’s 1-yard touchdown to close the lead within a touchdown at 14-7.
• BJ Raji’s late fourth quarter 18-yard interception on Caleb Hanie brought the score of 21-7.
• Earl Bennett’s 35-yard pass for a touchdown kept the game interesting again at 21-14.
• Sam Shields last interception of Caleb Hanie sealed the game.

The explosive Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense fought the Chicago Bears at Soldiers Field and came out with a 21-7 win. The arrival of Bad (and Injured) Jay Cutler and Bad Todd Collins did not go so well for the Chicago Bears, despite the Bears defense stepping up at times. Good Caleb Hanie brought life to this Bears team, although the last two minutes closed the game for the Bears.  Surprisingly, Good Caleb Hanie had a better quarterback rating at 88.1 compared to Aaron Rodgers 55.4.

Now the Green Bay Packers are off to the Super Bowl against their opponent to be determined later tonight, and the Chicago Bears may have found a starting quarterback for their next season over Jay Cutler. Coach Lovie Smith and the Bears are now regretting not stopping the Green Bay Packers in their last game of the regular season, as the Packers ended theirs in the post-season.