NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Senior writer jclombardi previews “Iconic” Packers vs “Windy Carp” Bears.

Bears win sets up epic NFC title clash with Packers–Hallowed franchises have historic, fire-breathing rivalry: Bring on the Monsters of the Midway, in all their rip-snorting, scratching-and-clawing glory. Bring on Urlacher and Cutler, Hester and Forte. Bring on the ghosts of Nagurski and Halas and Sweetness. Bring on Soldier Field, with its chewed-up turf and its cheek-turning January winds. Bring on all of Chicago, for that matter, and its hordes of sneering Bears fans. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are ready. They showed their mettle with road playoff victories over Philadelphia and Atlanta, the latter featuring an astonishing offensive display that resulted in a 48-21 victory over the NFC’s top-seeded team on Saturday night. The Bears held up their end of the bargain Sunday, battering and Butkus-ing the Seattle Seahawks, 35-24, at snowy Soldier Field to set up an NFC Championship Game the likes of which has never been seen. The Packers (12-6) and Bears (12-5), bitter archrivals who date to pro football’s primordial mist, will slug it out at 2 p.m. Sunday at Soldier Field for the right to advance to Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas. The two teams have been smashing each other in the mouth for 90 years but have never squared off in a game of this magnitude. They have met 181 times but never in a playoff game in the Super Bowl era. In fact, they have met in the postseason just once: on Dec. 14, 1941, just seven days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when George Halas’ Bears claimed a 33-14 victory over Curly Lambeau’s Packers in a Western Division playoff game necessitated after both teams finished 10-1.

Showdown that’d make Lambeau and Halas proud: If only Curly Lambeau and George Halas could be there to see it. When the Green Bay Packers meet the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field, it will mark only the second time in the storied rivalry the teams have played each other in the postseason. Yes, with a trip to Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, on the line, the 182nd meeting between the Packers and the Bears will be a special one. ”It’s going to be a shootout,” Bears wide receiver Devin Hester said. The second-seeded Bears, who won the NFC North title this season, advanced to the title game with a 35-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The sixth-seeded Packers, who needed a victory over the Bears on the final day of the regular season to secure a wild-card berth, advanced with a 48-21 victory over the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome. ”We just look at it as another obstacle,” cornerback Charles Woodson said before the Packers knew whether they’d be playing at Chicago or Seattle. “The object is to win. Whoever it is, we look to play our game and come out on top.” The Bears lead the all-time series 92-83-6, while the Packers hold a 12-9 edge in NFL titles.

In a shocker, but one that comes to the happiness for Steeler fans, the AFC road to the Super Bowl will now go through Pittsburgh after the Patriots lost at home 28-21 to the New York Jets.

The Jets topped the Steelers 22-17 on December 19th, but the Steelers didn’t have safety Troy Polamalu, and it was the only loss for the Steelers out of their last 8 games if you count the Saturday playoff win over the Ravens 31-24.

The Steelers outgained the Jets 378 to 276 in the game, and led at two different times 10-7 and 17-10. The Jets got a big safety with 2:38 to go from Jason Taylor to make it 22-17, but the Steelers marched all the way down the field, but a pass intended to Matt Spaeth was incomplete in the end zone.

Now the Steelers get a shot at revenge. They open as 3-point favorites to beat the Jets and make it to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

“Maybe everybody else never believed, but we believed,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “We’re moving on. Same old Jets, back to the AFC championship. The only difference is this time we plan on winning.”

Not if the black and gold has anything to say about it.

The New York Jets will be playing in the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after knocking off the New England Patriots Sunday at Gillette Stadium 28-21. The Patriots were heavily favored going into the contest but for the second straight week the Jets were able to overcome the odds and come up with the win. As they had in Indianapolis the previous week; they were going up against one of the top quarterback’s in all of the NFL in New England’s Tom Brady. The Patriots QB would complete 29/45 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. However New York quarterback Mark Sanchez while not having the yardage of his counterpart went 16/25 for 194 yards and passed for three touchdowns in the victory.

New England with time slipping away in the fourth quarter would try two on-side kicks in the hopes that they could recover the ball and tie the game. Both times the gambit would fail as the Jets would recover both kicks scoring a touchdown on the drive following the first one. The New York defense would rule the proceedings for the entire contest getting the interception and causing the Patriots to fumble three times. They would also make the New England offensive line look like swiss cheese as they hit Brady seven times in the contest and had him running for his life most of the contest.

The Jets would set the tone for the contest on the first drive by their oppponents as linebacker David Harris picked off a Brady pass at the New York 30 yard line and ran it back 58 yards to the Patriots 12. Although the Jets did not score on the ensuing possession they had stopped the New England drive.

The Patriots would score on their next drive as Shayne Graham kicked a 34 yard field goal through the uprights and giving his team a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. New York would take the lead with 10:54 to play in the second as Sanchez would hit LaDainian Tomlinson with a seven yard pass which he ran into the end-zone for a touchdown. After the extra point from Nick Folk the Jets held a 7-3 advantage.

Sanchez would get his second touchdown of the quarter as Braylon Edwarrds caught a 15 yard pass with 33 seconds left in the half. After the successful kick through the goal posts by Folk, New York would enter the locker room at the half leading 14-3.

There would not be another successful offensive drive until late in the third when Alge Crumpler took a two yard Brady pass into the end-zone with with 13 seconds to play. Sammy Morris would run up the middle past the goal line for a two point conversion and the Patriots were just three points down at the end of the third in a 14-11 contest.

New York would get a little more breathing room with 13:00 on the clock in the fourth as Sanchez had his third touchdown of the day when he threw the ball seven yards to Santonio Holmes for the score. The Folk extra point was good and the Jets were ahead 21-11. Neither team would score again until with 1:57 to play Shayne Graham got his second field goal of the day; this one from 35 yards out to make it a 21-14 contest.

The Patriots hoping to get fortunate kicked the ball on-sides but it was recovered by the Jets. Two plays into the drive running back Shonn Green carried the ball 16 yards past the goal line for a touchdown. The extra point was good and New York would have a 28-14 advantage. The Patriots would tighten the game once again as Brady connected with Deion Branch on a 13 yard pass which Branch ran into the end-zone. Graham got the extra point through the uprights and it was back to a seven point game as the Jets led 28-21.

New England would once again try an on-side kick hoping they would recover but New York once again got the football. Sanchez would take the knee on the first play running out the clock and the Jets sent the Patriots home for the year after just one Post Season game.

New York will once again be playing in the opponents house next Sunday as they take on the Steelers in the AFC Championship contest. For New England and their fans, they once again have the off-season to complain how far their team should have gone in the Playoffs.

In all my years for following Maryland sports – Orioles, the University of Maryland, and The Ravens last night's loss will rank for me as one of the worst meltdowns in Maryland sports history.

Staked with a 21-7 lead at Halftime the Ravens offense pulled a Keyser Soze (poof and he was gone) and scored only three the rest of the way while fumbling and bumbling their way into multiple turnovers. The Steelers took full advantage and posted another playoff victory over Baltimore.

For fans of the Ravens it's maddening to the point of absurdity how this team finds ways to lose in the big games. But more on that later. There is a lot to discuss here not just about this game but about the future of the franchise.

* One of the biggest letdowns of this season has been the Ravens offense.

It's been the Achilles of this team since they became a playoff contender and I feel they aren't that much closer than they were almost ten years ago.

127 Total yards of Offense – 23 in the Second Half – 3 Turnovers

You don't deserve to win with such an ugly stat line.

The offense was a point of emphasis in the off-season but for all the money spent on draft picks, and signings this is still a very mediocre unit.

I'll begin with the skill players. I have a whole section reserved for Joe Flacco so I'll be brief here. He's made strides over his first three seasons but he's not good enough yet. Will he ever be? I have no idea right now.

Ray Rice, who fought a stomach bug over the last few days, made a concerted effort to eliminate the fumbling issue he had a season ago. He looked to have it cured as he did not fumble at all this season. Ryan Clark made a nice play but watch the replay and Rice's ball security looks questionable at best. Most of the night he was indecisive running the ball and while the Steelers can close lanes quickly he had opportunities that he missed.

Anquan Boldin was signed with the Steeler games in mind but he was rarely targeted last night and the times that he was he failed to produce. During the first series, Flacco tried to force the ball into Todd Heap causing the Ravens to punt. On the replay you see Boldin wide open to the opposite side calling for the ball. That picture sums up his time here. He's been a forgotten man in the offense for the second half of the season. However when Flacco looked his way in crunch time and delivered a pass that only he could get too -he muffed it.

Derrick Mason looked old last night. Mason was non-commital when asked if he would return with one year left on his contract. He should take some time and see what he wants to do but I think it's time for him to move on.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has never been shy about his feeling in regards to his reduced role in the offense. He was signed late to this team and I wondered when they got him just where he would fit in. He's a confident man and has openly asked for more targets. He got a big one last night and dropped a ball thrown into his hands. I'm unsure what his future will be here. I'd like to see him come back, only if Mason retires. He may wish to look elsewhere though.

The Offensive Line needs some re-tooling. Matt Birk was a good pickup to replace an overpriced Jason Brown a few years ago but that was two years ago and Birk is showing some signs of slowing. They'll need to find a back-up to ease into the spot or look for a replacement immediately. I also wonder what will become of Jared Gaither who oddly enough wants to come back next season. Has too much damage been done to repair this relationship? The line gave up 40 sacks in the regular season and pass protection regardless of the opponent has been an issue.

Cam Cameron. I thought he called a great game – in the First Half. But Cameron can't seem to made the proper adjustments after Half-time. Of course he didn't fumble or drop crucial passes but he is just another element to the underachievement of the offense. The Ravens need some fresh eyes on the problem and I think Cameron will be forced to depart.

*Joe Flacco has improved as a Quarterback but the jury is still on weather or not he is "the guy".

Last night Ravens fans were treated to another pain inducing episode of "Good Flacco/Bad Flacco". In the first half he looked like the poised and talented player that seemed ready to shake off past performances and finally slay the Pittsburgh demon. In the second, he looked confused and almost paralyzed on the sidelines. His body language told the story. He sailed passes, he fumbled, and he threw a costly interception that was an awful decision when you look at the coverage.

Even though he staggered through the last half of the game he still got no help when he could have used it. Boldin and Houschmanzadeh's drops were crucial. Two missed plays that will haunt both players throughout the off-season. And that's a part of my point – he can't carry the offense with things break down around him. Can he improve in that area? I don't know.

If Baltimore wants to make Flacco their quarterback for the foreseeable future then an effort must be made to emphasize his strengths- quick reads, and plenty of shotgun. Which brings me back to Cameron. He'd done a nice job with Flacco but can he help him get to that next level? I don't think so.

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We've all heard the news…Yes, Nnamdi is a free agent. As are the following guys as well:

Michael Huff, Stanford Routt, Robert Gallery, Langston Walker, Mario Henderson, Richard Seymour, John Henderson, Zach Miller, Thomas Howard, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Michael Bush.

3 quarters of the starting backfield, 3 starters during the season on the OL, their All-Pro DL, TE and CB, and part of their 2 headed running backs.

Everyone understand why Al wanted/needed the 2010 season to be a playoff season at minimum?

So where does the priority lay in re-signing these guys? Here's how I see it…

1. Richard Seymour – most likely franchise tag

2. Nnamdi Asomghua – 33 pass attempts all year, only allowed 13 completions for 205 yards, #2 rated passing defense. Really, this has to be thought about? And for everyone mentioning no sacks, no interceptions, no FF…when your team only leaves you on one side and then the offense doesn't look at you, what more do you want the person to do? For him to play like Revis it will because he'll be joining him in NY.

3. Robert Gallery – chances, none, he was a Cable guy. Their offense didn't click until Gallery came back, though.

4. Zach Miller – I like Zach, but I'm not in love to the point that I wouldn't take the 3 above him first though. Al, though, probably is thinking Dave Casper/Todd Christensen and will make him a higher priority.

5. Michael Bush – another one that I don't love and wouldn't be disappointed if he isn't re-signed. The Raiders have tried trading him, so while he'll get some money, it won't be as a starter so why prioritize him any higher than this?

6. The Rest – I could break it down, but come on, really who would you want to prioritize that makes a difference? Each one gives up to many big plays whether in the passing game, running game, on on the offensive line. So let them be…

Senior writer jclombardi profiles WR Jones & CB Williams in Packers win.

WR Jones returns to hungry form: Packers wide receiver James Jones got some good advice from an old adviser this week. Keith Williams, Jones’ position coach at San Jose State, was blunt in his assessment of his former pupil’s play. ”He said, 'You used to play a lot hungrier than you play now,’?” said Jones, who felt miserable all week after dropping what could have been a long touchdown pass last week against Philadelphia. ”When I dropped that ball, he said I was too relaxed. When I came out here, every time I lined up, I just said, 'Be hungry. Go hungry to the ball. Catch the ball with your hands. You’ve got great hands. You’ve let a couple go, but you’ve got great hands and just made some plays.’?” Jones made plenty of plays during the Packers’ 48-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in an NFC divisional round playoff game Saturday night at the Georgia Dome. He finished with four receptions for 75 yards, including a beautiful 20-yard touchdown grab over Atlanta’s Brent Grimes that gave the Packers a 21-14 lead with 42 seconds remaining in the first half. Jones also had a 34-yard reception earlier in the game that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback John Kuhn.

WR Jones sings redemption song: Packers fourth-year wide receiver caught four passes for 75 yards, including a spectacular 20-yard touchdown grab and a critical 34-yard catch and run, as part of the Aaron Rodgers-led offense's passing clinic in a 48-21 NFC Divisional Playoff rout of the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. "I had a knot in my stomach for letting my teammates down when I dropped that ball," said Jones, whose drop in last week's 21-16 NFC Wild Card victory at Philadelphia came shortly before halftime and would have given the Packers a 21-3 lead at the time. "I just told myself to come out here and make the most of my opportunities and make a play for the ball. It made me feel good that Aaron kept coming to me. He didn't lose any confidence in me and I was going to go out there and make some plays." Said Rodgers: "I know he was the sickest person in that locker room after the last game. But I had confidence in him." Rodgers had confidence in everyone on this night. Taking advantage of the absence of nickel back Brian Williams (knee), Packers receivers Greg Jennings (eight catches, 101 yards), Donald Driver (six catches, 79 yards), Jordy Nelson (eight catches, 79 yards) and Jones had their way with the Falcons' secondary, which was forced to play little-used cornerback Chris Owens whenever the Packers went to their "Big Five" spread set. "We kind of did what we wanted to do," Rodgers said. "We wanted to attack the middle of the field early and then once they started taking that away to work the stuff outside, the routes outside. Guys made some big plays."

Tramon-dous Cornerback Williams leads defense to NFC title game: Tramon Williams’ job was to take away wide receiver Roddy White. Instead, he stole the entire game. Williams, the Green Bay Packers’ overnight sensation at cornerback, had two second-quarter interceptions that helped break open the game in the Packers’ 48-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in a divisional playoff game Saturday night at the Georgia Dome. The first pick came on a Matt Ryan pass to Michael Jenkins in the end zone that looked for an instant that it might be a touchdown. The second came on the final play of the first half when Ryan, trying to pick up a few more yards for a potential field goal try, fired a sideline pass to White that Williams intercepted and returned 70 yards for a touchdown. ”That was the play of the game,” linebacker A.J. Hawk said. “No one was expecting that to happen. He jumped in front, got a pick and to score going into halftime like that (is huge). You’re up two scores, you know you’re getting the ball back and then the way the offense is playing, you can’t say enough about a play like that.” The play gave the Packers a 28-14 halftime lead and set in motion their rout of the team with the best record in the NFC. Coupled with his game-saving interception in the closing seconds of the Packers’ playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles the week before, Williams has essentially had his national coming-out party in the past seven days.

CB Williams bowls ‘em over: Williams said, "But that's one way to shut people up, to go to the Super Bowl instead of the Pro Bowl." Williams intercepted two passes, one that kept a touchdown off the board, the other that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown to end the first half and break the Atlanta Falcons' spirits, to lead the Packers to a 48-21 NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Falcons. "Tramon Williams, he’s clearly played at a Pro Bowl level, there’s no question about it," said Packers coach Mike McCarthy. "Just to see your big-time players step up in prime-time games, that’s what it’s all about. Tramon Williams, he’s done it all year. He’s been playing at this level all year." His two plays Saturday night were game-turners. On his first interception, which came with the score tied at 14-14 and the Falcons facing third-and-21 from Green Bay's 26-yard line, Williams skied to pick off Ryan's pass intended for Mike Jenkins in the end zone.  Williams went high to snare Ryan's pass. Not only did the play keep the score tied, but the offense then went 80 yards the other way to take a 21-14 lead. The end zone was where Williams ended up on his next INT. The Falcons were moving into field-goal range when Ryan was sacked for a 9-yard loss by Clay Matthews. Facing second-and-19 at the Packers' 35, Ryan tried to hit White on an out route in front of Williams, only to see Williams recognize the formation and play, undercut the route and pick off the pass, weaving his way 70 yards to push the lead to 28-14 as time expired in the first half. "The play of the game, in my opinion, was Tramon’s pick," said Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who then led the offense on a touchdown drive to open the second half. "That’s a 10-point swing, potentially.”

The Panthers may be on the verge of hiring a Gruden, but not the one everyone knows as a former Super Bowl winning coach from Tampa Bay.

Jay Gruden said Friday he’s a candidate for an assistant coach’s job in the NFL and could learn his fate as soon as today according to Tom Robison of the Virginian-Pilot.

“Maybe Sunday, or Monday,” said Gruden, 43, a former University of Louisville quarterback. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Gruden, an offensive assistant for the Buccaneers when his brother was their head coach, didn’t specify with which team he’d talked. But a UFL official said it was the Carolina Panthers, who hired Ron Rivera as head coach this week to replace John Fox.

It's expected Gruden might be up for Carolina's quarterbacks coach job, not the vacant offensive coordinator position. The Panthers could certainly use a quarterbacks coach to tutor young Jimmy Clausen.