NFL Playoffs 2011: Previewing the NFC and AFC Championship Games

The Divisional Round of the playoffs is officially over with the New York Jets advancing to the AFC championship game after an upset win over the New England Patriots. It was an exciting weekend in the NFL despite two of the games ending up in blowouts.

The stage is set for the NFC and AFC championship games, now. Both games will be a rematch with the Green Bay-Chicago game being the third time the two teams will see one another. 

There are going to be a number of storylines over the next few days and it will be interesting to see if the Jets continue their trash talking ways against the Steelers.

Let's take a look at the two games that will decide who will be playing in the Super Bowl.

How Will Bears Stop Aaron Rodgers?

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to James Jones #89 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlant

How do you stop the hottest quarterback in the NFL? That's something Lovie Smith and his coaching staff will have to try and figure out over the course of the week.

Rodgers is playing the best football of his career right now. There isn't any QB playing better than A-Rod is. Not even Tom Brady. Too soon (sorry, Pats fans)?

I kid, I kid. 

Seriously, though, the Bears have an extremely tough task awaiting them. Rodgers' ability to escape out of the pocket to buy extra time is what makes him so special.

Chicago may want to consider putting a QB spy on him on third downs. Julius Peppers is going to have to play like he did against Seattle if the Bears hope to contain Rodgers.

Green Bay Must Stick with Run

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs through the tackle of Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsy

It was tough sledding for the Packers' offense running the football against Atlanta. Thankfully, for them, Rodgers played the game of his life. 

But things won't be as easy in the cold of Chicago against a tougher defense. It's going to take a strong performance from James Starks in order for the Packers to move onto the Super Bowl. Starks carried the football 25 times for 66 yards against the Falcons' defense, but at least Mike McCarthy stayed committed to the run.

Chicago boasts the second-best run defense in the NFL, so it isn't going to be easy for Starks to find running room Sunday. But if the Packers don't make a concerted effort to run the football it will allow the Bears to key in on Rodgers even more than they already will.

Starks will be the X-Factor in this game.

Can Jay Cutler Stay Poised?

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears smiles late in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Many are going to look at Cutler's performance against the Seahawks and claim that he can handle the big moment. While that certainly could prove to be the case, color me skeptical. Cutler was at home playing a team that had an 8-9 record on the season coming into the game. 

Seattle was a nice little first round story but they clearly didn't belong with the big boys. The Bears' defense completely dominated the first three quarters of the game and the offense had no trouble moving the ball against Seattle's defense.

The Seahawks often had breakdowns in the secondary that left receivers running wide open for Cutler to find. It was a solid playoff debut for Cutler, but the true test comes Sunday. If he avoids making the big mistakes against the Packers that have plagued him his whole career, I'll finally buy into Cutler.

Who Will Be a Bigger Factor, Clay Matthews or Julius Peppers?

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears smiles in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Ima

Peppers made his presence felt all afternoon by abusing rookie Russell Okung. Even though he didn't record a sack, he was constantly causing Matt Hasselbeck troubles. 

Matthews has been an even bigger force this season than Peppers, but whoever has the best game Sunday will have bragging rights. That is, of course, if their team wins. Matthews finished with two sacks in Saturday night's game bringing his season total to 15.5.

This will be Peppers' third NFC championship game while it will be Matthews' first. 

Will youth or experience prevail? We won't know for another seven days but it'll be an interesting debate in the meantime.

Bears Need to Ride Matt Forte

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass over the arm of Kentwan Balmer #95 of the Seattle Seahawks as the pass is intercepted by Aaron Curry #59 in the second half of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game a

In the Week 17 meeting between the two teams, Forte ran the ball well but didn't get enough carries. He finished with 91 yards on the ground on just 15 carries. The Bears threw the football 39 times in the previous matchup, which isn't a winning formula for this team.

Mike Martz has done a great job keeping the ball on the ground instead of falling for the temptation of letting Cutler fling the ball around. Forte's came on strong to finish the season and will be counted on to come up big this Sunday.

The Packers had no trouble stopping Michael Turner, will they be able to stop Forte?

The Bears are going to need to rely on Forte to move the chains on a consistent basis, but it will be tough sledding against the Pack.

Will the Jets Continue Their Brash Talk?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Rex Ryan and James Ihedigbo #44 of the New York Jets look on from the sideline during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massach

The Jets have backed up their talk thus far but will they temper it down this upcoming week? My guess is yes.

The NFL has warned teams about trash talking one another and the hate the Jets had for the Patriots isn't the same as it is for the Steelers. Don't get me wrong, it's not as if the Jets and Steelers are exactly friends, but these two teams have more respect for one another than hate.

Judging by the way Rex Ryan's handled the week up to game day the past two weeks, it's likely he'll stir the pot somehow, just not to the level of last week.

And it wouldn't be surprising if a couple of players threw jabs at one another over the coming days.

Will the Jets Suffer a Letdown?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrate on their way to defeating the New England Patriots 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillet

The Jets just won the biggest game of their season against their arch-rival and you have to wonder if they are going to celebrate the win a little too much.

Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl two years and knows that the journey is completed. It's easy to see New York possibly losing focus after the big win, but this team has proven all of the doubters wrong thus far.

Ryan is sure to whip out some motivational ploys to get his team ready for Sunday's big game. And you know he'll be reminding the team of last year's disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game. 

With the Super Bowl just a game away, I don't see a letdown being realistic in this situation.

Who Will Be Each Team's X-Factor?

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball as he is hit by defensive back Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mat

New York possesses two elite corners in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, which is why I feel Emmanuel Sanders has a chance to play a key role for the Steelers. Sanders caught seven passes for 78 yards in the Week 15 matchup between the two teams.

Ben Roethlisberger has seemed to be finding a comfort zone with Sanders and is starting to trust the receiver more. If Hines Ward and Mike Wallace are struggling to get open it will be Sanders who will have to step up to make some big players.

On the Jets' side of the ball, Drew Coleman has a chance to make a serious impact. In the previous meeting, Coleman had 10 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. It was a breakout game for the fifth-year pro out of TCU.

Coleman had a key sack of  Brady in Sunday's game and he has had a knack for making plays all season long.

Nick Folk Will Play a Factor for Better or Worse

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Place kicker Nick Folk #2 of the New York Jets successfully kicks a game-winning a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to win 17-16 against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas O

The Jets' decision to go with Folk as their kicker could come back to haunt them this weekend. Folk, who was cut from the Dallas Cowboys midseason a year ago because of his struggles missed an easy 30-yard field goal against New England.

Now, he will have to go into the toughest place for field goal kickers and potentially have to make a pressure kick to send the Jets to the Super Bowl. Folk has never been an accurate kicker, so it is a bit of a surprise that he's made it this far with the Jets.

Come Sunday, the decision to sign him and stick with him for this long could make or break New York's season.

Game Will Come Down to Turnovers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after stopping running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens on a play during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in

Protecting the football is always important but it will be especially critical in this contest. Scoring opportunities are going to be limited, so whoever wins the turnover battle will likely be headed to Dallas. Mark Sanchez didn't turn the ball over against the Patriots and has only thrown one interception this postseason.

The composure Sanchez has shown these past two games is very impressive for only a second-year pro. He's handled the pressure admirably. 

Roethlisberger only threw five picks in 12 games during the regular season and didn't throw one against Baltimore, although he did fumble which was returned for a touchdown. 

Both defenses are hard-hitting and aggressive. Which ever defense can force the most takeaways has a significant advantage in walking away winners.