2011 NFL Season: Predicting the League Championship Games and the Super Bowl

AFC vs. NFC championship game?

Super Bowl?

If there's an NFL season, who wins?  

With the NFL lockout still intact, NFL fans are getting anxious and want the season to happen.  Here I have a prediction of who is going to be in the championship games and a prediction of who wins the Super Bowl this year.  I can't wait for this year, and I think there will be many rematches from past years in the championship games.  

AFC Championship Game: Patriots vs. Steelers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on while taking on the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

This is one of the best out of division rivalries in all of sports today.  The Patriots have one of the most high-powered offensives in the league, while the Steelers have one of the best defences in the league.  This matchup truly comes down to turnovers.  If the Patriots keep the ball, then they'll win, but if not, the Steelers will win easily.

The Steelers and Patriots are two of the best teams in the NFL today and hate one another.  In this matchup, the Patriots have the edge in offensive, and the Steelers have the defensive edge, even though the Patriots drafted Ras I-Dowling.  Also, in special teams, the Steelers may have the edge.  

The Steelers may be a better team, but with Tom Brady and Company, this Patriots team doesn't let up and doesn't quit.  With Matt Light a free-agent and rookie tackle 6'8" Nate Solder stepping, in the Steelers could have a hard time putting pressure on Tom Brady. 

All I got to say in this matchup is Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.  They will be too hard to handle, and the Patriots will win this matchup by the score of 27-20 on a drive with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter.  The Steelers come up short but will be back at it in years to come. 

NFC Championship Game Packers vs Giants

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

This will be the same matchup as a couple of years ago, and this matchup doesn't get any better than this.  In this matchup, I look for rushing yards.  With Ryan Grant out all year last season, the Packers still went to the Super Bowl and were crowned Super Bowl 45 Champions.  They played a great game and had a great playoff run.

The Packers have a crazy beast in Clay Matthews.  This matchup would be a low scoring game since both defenses have great defensive linemen and great linebackers.  This would be a popular game to watch, and the TV ratings will be highly ranked.  

As long as Matthews and Aaron Rodgers stay healthy, I think this team can repeat.  With the Giants, they need Justin Tuck and their running-back duo in Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.  

I think this game comes down to special teams, and I have the Giants winning by a score of 21-17 because they have a great running attack and have a great secondary and got Prince Amukamara.

I look for a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl. 

2011 Super Bowl: Rematch of 2007 Super Bowl

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Ellis Hobbs III #27 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass in the second quarter against Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale

As you guys know, this is a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl, where the Giants beat the Patriots.  They both have different teams this upcoming year, and both teams have players who have improved since that time.  

Since the Giants offense doesn't have a pop to it like the Patriots' offense, I see this being a low scoring game.  In a low scoring game like this, the one key is turning the ball over, which the Patriots don't do that much.  The Patriots may resign Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, but if not, have rookies like Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley and a second year player picked off waivers in 5'8" sensation Danny Woodhead.  

I think Tom Brady will be too much for the Giants in this matchup, and Brady will get hit but shake it off and get his team a Super Bowl, the fourth of his career.  If the Giants win, they have to run the ball and keep the Patriots potent offense off the field.  Also, they have to throw it deep every once in a while to test the Patriots young secondary.

Patriots 24-Giants 13

I see the Patriots winning by this score because I see their defense getting stops and getting Brady back on the field, not on the sideline like they will try and do.