NFC and AFC Championships

Well here we are. It seems like yesterday when most of us believed that the 49ers were a chic pick to make it to the playoffs, along with countless other underdog teams like the Lions, Cardinals and Texans. Most figured that the Saints were ready for the next step. Others gushed that Brett Favre was too old, the Patriots were stupid for bringing in a cancer like Randy Moss, and that Norv Turner couldn't succeed in the playoffs. And the Giants? Seriously?

Throw it all out the window. Because here we are. Giants/Packers. Chargers/Patriots. Every story line that was going to be, can now be discarded. We are down to the final four because these are the four teams that chose to play well at the right time. Here is a look into one man's preview of Championship Sunday

AFC: 3pm, Chargers @ Patriots:
- Just looking at the two words, Chargers and Patriots, it reeks of a mismatch. But lets hold on here. The Chargers are playing fierce, and it showed that they are one of the deepest teams in the league. When LT and Rivers went down, Turner and Volek came in to seal the deal for San Diego against the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts. And if there is one thing that scares Patriot fans, it's their shaky linebacker core which is a combined 224 years old. If LT can do damage, assuming he is he healthy enough, he can make the LB's pay. But on the other hand, lets be serious. The Patriots have stopped everything coming there way, at least enough so that the offense can jump back on the field and bail them out. I'm sorry, but I just do not trust Philip Rivers, even if he does play. He may not with a bum knee. But it might not matter anyway. He's incredibly overrated and there is no way that Bill Belichick under-prepares for this one. Welcome to the SB Pats.

New England, 35, San Diego 24


NFC: 630pm, Giants @ Packers:
- Cold is the word that comes to mind. Sunday will be six degrees with wind and possibly some snow (thank you weather.com). Can the G-Men deal with that? Can the Packers even deal with that? I picked the Giants to be here after they beat on Tampa (who I previously picked). However, I just don't believe they can keep up with the balance of the Packers. The Packers looked like toast after falling behind 14-0 early to the Seahawks. But their D settled in, and the offense got on track, most notably Ryan Grant, who ran for over 200 yards. It seems like a cinderella story waiting to happen with Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game after planning to retire. The Giants will beat you up with the defense they have, and they have shown that they are for real with making it this far. But Eli Manning still hasn't had to win a game himself. Granted they are 9-1 on the road this season. But they have not seen negative temperatures. I believe the Packers win this one because of the arm of Brett Favre. Should be a fun one.

Green Bay 28, NY Giants 23


Be back tomorrow with some steroids talk. And our first look at Erick Weinstein.