NFC Championship Preview

Green Bay -3.5 @ Chicago

This is what it's all about. The NFL's oldest rivals squaring off with a trip to Super Bowl XLV on the line. The Green Bay Packers will travel to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears for the 183rd time. This will be just the 2nd time they meet in the playoffs. The teams split the season series this year - each winning on their home field. To the surprise of some, Green Bay enters the game as a 3.5 point favorite despite traveling to The Windy City.

Neither team was ever really challenged in the Divisional round. Green Bay fell behind early in Atlanta, before scoring 35 consecutive points to win going away, 48-21. Meanwhile, the Bears scored the first 28 points versus Seattle before allowing the Seahawks a couple scores in garbage time and winning 35-24. The focus has been on the QBs on each of these teams. Aaron Rodgers had never won a playoff game prior to this season. He now has 2 postseason victories and has looked absolutely flawless. He appears ready to make the leap into the NFL's elite. Jay Cutler made his 1st postseason start on Sunday and responded by throwing a TD pass on his very 1st attempt. The QBs have passed the initial tests, but will face the stiffest one yet this week. Aaron Rodgers will not have the comfort of playing indoors, and will be fighting against the weather conditions as well as a brutal Bears D. Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have been a devastating linebacking duo for years and this year they added freakishly talented DE Julius Peppers. Jay Cutler will have to deal with the relentlessness of Clay Matthews Jr. and the nickle blitzes and cover skills of Charles Woodson.

Rodgers looks to advance the Packers to their 1st Super Bowl since 1998, and prove once and for all that there is plenty of life after #4. The Bears have their sights set on their 2nd appearance in the big game in 5 years. Expect a classic black and blue battle. But this game won't be won on the strength of either defense or running attack. Rodgers will put together another solid outing and add his name to the likes of Brady, Manning, and Brees.

Prediction - Green Bay 24 Chicago 19