NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 Shockers To Watch for in the Championship Games

After two weeks of playoffs, there are four NFL teams remaining in the hunt for Super Bowl XLV: the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.

After upsetting the vaunted New England Patriots in Foxborough, the Jets will face off with the Steelers in the Pittsburgh.

The Packers will meet up with the Bears for a third time this season in Chicago.

Already some notable upsets in the playoffs, with the Jets disposing of the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks upsetting the New Orleans Saints before succumbing to the Bears in the divisional round.

Just goes to show you anything can happen in the playoffs.

Here are 10 shockers for the NFC and AFC Championship games next week.

10. Rashard Mendenhall Rushed for under 60 Yards, No TDs

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall only had 46 yards rushing against the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.

He averaged a mediocre 3.9 yards per carry in the regular season.

The Jets were third in the league against the rush in the regular season, giving up 3.6 yards per carry.

Despite rushing for 99 yards and a TD vs. the Jets in Week 15, this Jets team has clearly elevated its play, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, since the playoffs began.

9. Jay Cutler Has a Good Game

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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

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler is one of the most curious quarterbacks in the NFL, who can go from throwing three touchdowns in a game to throwing two picks the next.

Against the Packers in Week 17, Cutler did not fare well, with 168 yards passing and two interceptions (no touchdowns).

It's not going to get any easier against an ever-improving Packers defense.

But I'm betting that Cutler continues his streaky play after throwing for 274 yards and two TDs against the Seattle Seahawks.

Plus, he's playing at home again.

I expect for him to come away with two touchdowns against the Packers and decent yardage.

8. Ben Roethlisberger Throws an Interception

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Grego

One interception doesn't appear to be that much of a stretch against a stingy Jets defense for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.

But considering he's thrown five picks all season, including the playoffs, I would call any interception a shock at this point.

He hasn't thrown a pick in five games.

But against a ferocious Jets D that sacked Brady five times and came away with an INT, I could see it happening to Roethlisberger.

7. Aaron Rodgers Throws an Interception

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by Henry Melton #69 and Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Im

Call me interception-happy, but I think Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will throw an interception, as well.

He has six touchdowns to zero interceptions in the playoffs, but in Week 17 he barely edged out the Bears, 10-3, and did throw a pick.

As invincible as Rodgers has been lately, I still think the Bears defense roughs him up a bit, and he makes one mistake through the air that the secondary capitalizes on.

Especially with this one being in Chicago.

6. Mike Wallace Is Held to 50 Yards Receiving

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets makes a tackle on Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Steelers receiver Mike Wallace had an impressive sophomore campaign this season, with over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in the regular season.

He's clearly the Steelers No. 1 receiver.

But against the Baltimore Ravens, he only caught three balls for 20 yards.

I think Wallace will find the playoffs are much different than the regular season.

I fully believe in the Jets defense after shocking Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Brady's favorite receivers, Wes Welker and Deion Branch, just barely surpassed 100 yards combined against the Jets.

5. The Packers Score over 21 Points in Chicago

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/G

The Chicago Bears gave up 17.9 points per game in the regular season, good for fourth in the league.

They held the Packers to 10 points in Green Bay.

But there's something magical about the season Aaron Rodgers is having. In the playoffs, the time things are supposed to be tougher for QBs, Rodgers has thrown six touchdowns to no interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.

Both were away games.

It's hard for me to see the Packers being limited in the style they were in Week 17. They are playing their best offensive ball of the season.

4. Mark Sanchez Throws Two Touchdowns

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after they defeated the Patriots 28 to 21 in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty I

Before Jets QB Mark Sanchez threw three touchdowns against the Patriots in Foxborough, the last time he had thrown more than one touchdown was in Week 11.

But things are opening up for Sanchez now, in large part due to limiting his throws.

As much as coach Rex Ryan loves Sanchez, he was using him way too much until he began limiting him at the end of the Colts game in the Wild Card Round.

The Jets eked out of Indianapolis behind their running game, and Ryan used that same approach against the Patriots, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene rushing the ball a combined 27 times to Sanchez' 25 throws.

In the end, it gave Sanchez more space to throw and less pressure coming from all angles.

I expect the same approach to work well for Sanchez against the Steelers.

3. Devin Hester Returns a Punt for a Touchdown

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown catch against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers hadn't allowed a kick return for a touchdown all season until the Falcons game in the divisional round.

But the recent return for a touchdown and the fact the Packers gave up 11 yards per punt return in 2010 (tied for seventh-worst in NFL) gives me an inkling Hester will run back his fifth punt return for a touchdown on Sunday in Chicago.

And all the cheeseheads will frown.

2. The Jets Will Beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets reaches for a loose ball in front of Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wicker

Yep, you heard it here first, the Jets will beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

I have renewed faith in the Jets after their stunner against the Patriots (who wouldn't?), and I think their defense is going to surprise Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.

Plus, all the aforementioned shockers would probably lead to a "W" for the Jets, it's only logical.

Prediction: Jets 24, Steelers 20

1. The Packers Will Beat the Bears in Chicago

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers congratulates Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears after the Bears won 20-17 at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Yep, that's right, I'm predicting both home teams will lose in the Championship games.

It's going to be another close on in Chicago, however.

But, ultimately, in the end, the Packers will be too much for the Bears.

I think they are a better team on both sides of the ball, and Aaron Rodgers is playing at a Tom Brady-esque level (well, Tom Brady-esque before the Jets game).

Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 21