Super Bowl 2011: Why the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers Will Advance

In what has been one of the more head-scratching seasons in recent history, another playoff shocker happened in the late Sunday game, with the New York Jets upsetting the New England Patriots, 28-21. Both sixth and second seeds from each conference are left standing, each only one win away from the Super Bowl. But what will be the matchup come Super Bowl Sunday?

NFC Conference Championship

In the NFC, two North Division rivals square off as Chicago faces Green Bay. The two teams split the regular season matchup, with each team winning at home. The oddsmakers have Green Bay as the favorite, even though it is the sixth seed and road team. 

It’s hard to argue against the Packers, however. Since QB Aaron Rodgers's return from a concussion, he has thrown 11 touchdown passes to only one interception. The Packers defense has playmakers all around, most notably linebacker and sack specialist Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson. 

But I really like the Bears in this game. Since about midseason, offensive coordinator Mike Martz has utilized the quick passing game to offset the Bears' weak offensive line. Quarterback Jay Cutler can be turnover prone, but since the new offensive philosophy was implemented (Week 9, after the Bears' bye week), he has thrown 18 touchdowns to only nine picks. 

Not amazing numbers, but very good, and with the Bears defense, Cutler does not have to be great for Chicago to win. 

Both games between these two rivals were close, and I feel home-field advantage will give the Bears enough of an edge to prevail, 23-20.

AFC Conference Championship

In the AFC, both the Jets and Steelers are built on defense, but have two very different head coaches.  Rex Ryan has talked the talk, but has backed it up and is in his second AFC Championship game in as many seasons as the Jets head coach. The Jets spent all offseason retooling their roster to advance to the Super Bowl, which they were only one win away from last season. 

I feel the Jets have the more talented team, but also feel they are emotionally drained after a long week of thrash-talking that culminated in a big win over division rival New England. I don’t see how the Jets can match the intensity they showed in that game again this Sunday. I see Ben Roethlisberger escaping the Jets pass rush and making big plays down the field. 

Also, Troy Polomalu was not on the field when the Jets went into Pittsburgh and won earlier this season. Troy really is the motor for that Steelers D, and I see Pittsburgh’s blitz schemes confusing young QB Mark Sanchez. I like the Steelers in this one, 27-17.

And with that, I believe the Steelers and Bears, two of the NFL’s oldest and most-storied franchises, will meet for the first time in a Super Bowl in what should be another great, albeit defensive, game.