NFC Conference Championship

NFC
Chicago Bears (2) Vs. Green Bay Packers (6)

The Story…
Perhaps the most storied of rivalries in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears biannual meetings are normally consigned to the regular season. A playoff grudge match of such proportions has, amazingly, occurred only once in these two long-standing franchises’ shared history, so as a form guide, we’re forced to look at their intra-divisional matchups.

The Bears, to the surprise of many, topped the NFC North after splitting the series with the Packers. The Pack have been in every major team’s rear view mirror for the last season or two as Rodgers emergence as an elite QB has turned them from a broken jigsaw into a team capable of seeing the big picture. This was supposed to be their year, but a couple of shaky losses in a conference that was this year flipped on its head.

The rivalry began way back in 1921 and has stretched over 181 regular and postseason contests. Between them, the clubs have 21 NFL Championships, with 4 coming since the Super Bowl era began (3 to the Packers, 1 for the Bears).

The Bears currently edge the series 92-83, with 6 ties throughout history. Astoundingly, they have NEVER met in the playoffs in the Super Bowl era, with their only postseason tussle coming in 1941 and going to Chicago by a 33-14 decision.

Who will win this, the most salivating matchup football fans could’ve hoped for..?


Prediction…
The Packers will win. Yes, oh yes, they will. Way back in August (on the 22nd, I might add) I predicted the Packers would win the Superbowl this season. I’m standing by that prediction and believe that they will win against this Bears team, who will be shown to be out of their depth. Mike Martz has had a great season with Jay Cutler, but their explosive start – exploiting the stuttering opening of many contenders – kept them in the playoffs when the back end of the season showed them to be just above average. If Cutler has a meltdown or fails to finish the contest, the Bears are screwed. Matt Flynn has proved himself a competent backup, and is definitely capable of utilising Green Bay’s deep threat should Rodgers go down with another concussion.

I think it’ll be close, but a solid win for the Packers. I reckon the Wisconsin outfit will notch up a 10 points victory over their most hated opponent.


Recap…
The Packers did as predicted and ran out winners, but by a mere 7 points that were under threat until the very last. The Bears didn’t do much wrong in this game and fought well considering Cutler was taken out early. Rodgers had another solid game and threw for 244 yards, but failed to throw a passing touchdown for the first time this postseason. He did, however, get into the endzone with his legs, as did James Starks, whose presence this January has helped the Packers no end. After Cutler went down, Caleb Hainee stepped in and threw 1 TD with 2 INTS to match Rodgers pair of picks.

The difference happened to be a defensive touchdown courtesy of BJ Raji, whose pick six effectively ended Chicago’s realistic chances of tying the game by opening up a 14 point margin, which the Bears only managed to reduce by half.

The Packers advance to face the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Will it be 4 for the Wisconsin bunch, or a record 7 for the Steel-town stampede?

Tune in this week for positional breakdowns…


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