The road to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas gets more treacherous as the league enters the playoffs where it is lose and you’re done time. No rest for the weary (except for those that earned a bye – Steelers, Patriots, Bears and Falcons but as recent history has proven, the higher seeds aren’t locks for a Super Bowl berth.)
And remember, a new rule begins with these playoffs. In overtime, if a team wins the coin toss and receives the overtime kickoff, it does not automatically win the game if it kicks a field goal. The team that kicked off then gets a possession, unless a touchdown is scored on that first possession which ends the game.
But if it is only a field goal, AND if the trailing team also kicks a field goal, the game continues. If it scores a touchdown, it wins. And if it does not get any points, it loses.
So who is it ultimately going to be representing their conference in the sport’s pinnacle game February 6th?
Will the Saints defend their crown? Can the impressive flight of the Falcons carry them all the way?
Tom Brady is certainly poised to bring back the Lombardi Trophy to Patriots fans, but the Jets might have something to say about that. Troy Polamalu is the Steeler game-breaker who has been there before. Even though he has been a bit roughed up lately, Philadelphia’s Michael Vick is still capable of changing any game with his skills. The Bears and Packers stay in the running with their D.
However, with Joe Flacco tossing just enough to Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Mason to keep defenses guessing, in the end, riding on the back of that hot streakin’ running back Ray Rice and a veteran defense led by Ed Reed and Ray Lewis for all it is worth, (and it is worth plenty), I am predicting an all-bird finale at Cowboy Stadium – Atlanta versus Baltimore with the Ravens winning the Super Bowl.
Below is the complete schedule for the NFL Playoffs. All times eastern.
Saturday, Jan. 8
(6)New York Jets at (3)Indianapolis Colts, 8 p.m. on NBC
(5)New Orleans Saints at (4)Seattle Seahawks, 4:30 p.m. on NBC
Sunday, Jan 9
(5)Baltimore Ravens at (4)Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. on CBS
(6)Green Bay Packers at (3)Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. on Fox
Saturday Jan. 15
Highest seed team remaining at (2)Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m. on CBS
Lowest seed team remaining at (1)Atlanta Falcons, 8 p.m. on Fox
Sunday, Jan. 16
Highest seed team remaining at (2)Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. on Fox
Lowest seed team remaining at (1)New England Patriots, 4:30 p.m. on CBS
Sunday, Jan. 23
NFC Championship Game – 3 p.m. on Fox
AFC Championship Game – 6:30 p.m. on CBS
Sunday, Feb. 6
Super Bowl, 6:30 p.m. kickoff, on Fox
