NFL Playoff Predictions 2011: Conference Title Game Edition

This weekend's conference title games feature two good matchups. Two matchups in freezing weather. With defenses that rank in the top five in numerous categories.

The Jets will likely psych themselves up and trash-talk until they're blue in the face. The Steelers will prepare the old-fashioned way—cold, hard practice. Failure is not an option for these two teams.

The Steelers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. The Jets are one game away from their first Super Bowl since before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon (1969).

These teams have met before, just one month ago. That meeting ended with a 22-17 Jets victory at Heinz Field.

Now, a month later these two teams will square off yet again.

Pittsburgh touts a highly ranked defense that is always tops in the league. Their offense has proved their worth too, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Rashard Mendenhall.

In their last meeting with the Jets, special teams played a key role. A Brad Smith 97-yard kick return put the Jets up 7-0. The Jets offense struggled the entire game only amassing 276 yards of total offense—a whole 101 yards less then the Steelers amassed in that game.

This time around the Jets need to pick up their offense that was prevalent in their last game versus New England. Again this time around the Jets rushing offense needs to show up against Pittsburgh second-ranked rush defense. 

Brad Smith will return this game against the Steelers. That means Wildcat formation and the return of the player that had a hand in deciding their last matchup.

I think both defenses shut down their counterparts and it turns into a battle of the special teams units. With Smith back, that gives the Jets a huge edge. But will history repeat itself? Most likely.

New York Jets 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 13

Alright before I begin, here's a disclaimer: I'm a Packers fan so take this for what it's worth. 

Now, like New York vs. Pittsburgh these teams have met in the last month. Actually just a few weeks ago.

They deadlocked for most of the game until a Tramon Williams punt return gave them great field position—just enough for the game-winning touchdown. That ended up being a 10-3 victory at Lambeau Field.

Chicago and Green Bay met earlier in the season too. That time was a 20-17 loss for Green Bay in Chicago—where these two teams play this weekend.

Both teams have stout defenses. Chicago boasts one of the top defenses in the league from both a rushing and passing defense standpoint. But, Green Bay has had trouble stopping the run at points. An 18th-ranked rush defense is what Green Bay brings to the table. 

In their Week 17 matchup, Matt Forte ran for 91 yards, which amounted to 6.1 yards per carry. But the time before that in their Week 3 matchup they limited Forte to just 29 yards on 11 carries.

Last week Green Bay held Michael Turner to just 39 yards on 10 carries. 

In addition to that defense, their offense awoke and blasted 48 points on the home team, the Atlanta Falcons, who have only lost twice at home since the drafting of Matt Ryan.

Aaron Rodgers will once again pop out and show why he is the elite quarterback in the NFC. The one question with Chicago is which Jay Cutler shows up? The one who threw four picks against Washington or the one who threw four touchdowns against Philly?

Rest assured regardless, the Packers' fifth-ranked pass defense will shut down Cutler.

Green Bay Packers 24, Chicago Bears 17