NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Senior writer jclombardi highlights Packers headlines about triumph against Bears.

NFC Champions: Packers are on their way back to the Super Bowl and feeling like the best team in the NFL. From the start of a clear, cold Sunday at Chicago's Soldier Field, the Packers showed why they were 3½-point favorites coming in the NFC championship game even though they were seeded lower than the Bears and playing on the road. And when they'd finally survived the Bears' shocking rally behind a third-string quarterback, the Packers had earned their 21-14 win and chance to join the pantheon of title teams from the NFL's smallest city, which has produced 12 NFL champions, including three since the Super Bowl era began in the 1966.

PACKERS 21, BEARS 14–Tough, Resilient Packers earn trip to Super Bowl: The Packers beat the Chicago Bears, 21-14, in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday because they blocked and tackled. They won three consecutive playoff games on the road because they prepared and executed. They became the first sixth-seeded NFC team to reach the Super Bowl, knocking off the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeds along the way, because they had [MORE] superb players on both sides of the ball and were [SOMEWHAT] well-coached. The Packers are going to Dallas because they’re tough. They’re resilient. They’re confident. They are representing the NFC because they are a very good team. On Feb. 6, we’ll find out if they’re the best team in the NFL. Standing in their way is another proud franchise, the AFC Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers and Bears went at each other with a ferocity befitting the occasion. The Packers dominated in building a 14-0 halftime lead, but the Bears fought back and the outcome was in doubt until the final minute. Only when cornerback Shields intercepted third-string Bears quarterback Hanie with less than 45 seconds left could the Packers and their far-flung fans finally let out a collective sigh of relief. In a sweet bit of irony, Green Bay claimed the Halas Trophy awarded to the NFC champions and named after Bears patriarch George “Papa Bear” Halas. ”I’m numb,” said McCarthy, the fifth-year coach who called the victory the highlight of his professional career. “It’s a great feeling.” No team seeded sixth in the NFC had made it to the Super Bowl since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format in 1990. The Steelers did it in the AFC in 2005. The Packers (13-6) improved their all-time postseason record to 28-16 and will be trying to win their 13th NFL title. They won Super Bowls I, II and XXXI and lost Super Bowl XXXII.

Big-play D gives Packers trip to Super Bowl in Big D: That confidence came from watching the defense do it over and over during a season that will end right where the Packers hoped it would — at Super Bowl XLV. The Packer Nation couldn’t rest Sunday until rookie cornerback Sam Shields intercepted a pass with 37 seconds remaining to seal a 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears before 61,171 fans at Soldier Field. For the first time in 13 seasons, the Packers (13-6) are headed to the Super Bowl. They’ll face the Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) on Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The victory completed a run of three road wins in 15 days and helped Green Bay become the first No. 6 seed from the NFC to make it to the Super Bowl. Fittingly, Green Bay’s honorary captain for Sunday’s game was Willie Davis, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the dominant Vince Lombardi teams in the 1960s. ”How fitting is it for the Green Bay Packers to win an NFC championship with defense,” said Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji, who scored the deciding touchdown on an 18-yard interception return with 6 minutes, 4 seconds left in the game. “We’ve talked about it, we’ve heard about it, we see those old veterans hanging up on the wall every day when we go to work. For us to come out and play great defense, it’s a remarkable feeling.” Packers won their fifth straight game despite a subpar performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had been red hot in the postseason. Rodgers was 17 of 30 for 244 yards with no touchdown passes and two interceptions for a passer rating of 55.4, his lowest this season. But it didn’t matter because the defense did what it’s been doing all season: deliver in the clutch. For the third time in four games, the Packers came up with an interception in the closing minute to seal a victory.

The whole week the Steelers kept their mouths shut. They didn’t play into the talking of the Jets, lying low until they were able to take the field Sunday evening with something to prove. And they did.

The Steelers built a 24-0 lead by crushing the upstart New York Jets in the first 29 minutes, and while in the end it wasn’t pretty, the black and gold held on for a 24-19 win to move on to take on the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

The Jets made quite a game of it in the final 30 minutes. Down 24-3, they got a score as Mark Sanchez found former Steelers WR Santonio Holmes with a 45-yard score early in the third quarter to make it 24-10.

New York’s defense finally shut down the Steelers run game, and then went on a long drive with a critical 4th-and-goal from the Steelers one. The Steelers D stepped up, stopping LaDainian Tomlinson with 7:44 to hold on to the two touchdown lead.

Instead of putting the game away, the Steelers tried to give it right back. Without starting center Markuice Pouncey, who left with an ankle injury, Roethlisberger fumbled the snap, and had to fall on the ball in the end zone for a safety to make it 24-12 with 7:38 left.

Then New York went on a TD drive to make it even closer, as they went from their 42 to the Steelers end zone on a Sanchez to Jerricho Cotchery 4-yard pass to make it 24-19 with 3:06 left.

It was then time for once again, Antonio Brown to make a couple key plays to clinch it. The first was a kick return to the Jets 41 of 27 yards.

After a run and a Jets time out, the Steelers went to the air, as Roethlisberger hit Heath Miller for 14 yards and a first down to the Jets 44.

A couple more runs set up a 3rd-and-6 from the Jets 40 at the two minute warning. It was time for Ben again to find his new pal, as scrambling outside the pocket, he fired a great pass to Brown, who caught it for a 14-yard gain to the Jets 26 to clinch it.

Three knees later, the Steelers are again on their way to the dance.

While many will say it shouldn’t have been that close, Mike Tomlin will tell the team, the media, and anyone that will listen – “style points don’t matter.” The game ended up being flat out ugly, but again, all the Steelers wanted to do was win, and for that – mission accomplished.

The game looked like a runaway as the Steelers completely dominated the first half, leading 7-0, 10-0, 17-0 and 24-0 against a Jets team that looked flat out tired.

Things looked like they were going to be totally out of hand after Ike Taylor sacked Sanchez, knocking the ball out of his hand, and William Gay picked up the ball and went in from 19 yards out to make it 24-0.

Give the Jets credit, they threw different things at the Steelers in the second half that stopped the run game of Mendenhall, who on the day ran for 121 yards on 27 carries with a score. Roethlisberger was 10-for-19 for 133 yards with two picks, and he also ran in a score as well.

Sanchez was 20-for-33 for 233 yards with two scores. The Jets on the day had just one rushing yard in the first half, and ended with 70 yards on 22 carries.

The Steelers will play the Packers on Sunday, February 6th with a shot at their 7th Lombardi trophy. The Packers open in Vegas as 2.5 point favorites.

Deep breathe everyone, the Steelers appear well on their way in 30 minutes of football to playing the Green Bay Packer in Super Bowl XLV.

After two quarters at Heinz Field, the Steelers have dominated the New York Jets, who looked shell-shocked trailing 24-3. The Steelers scored 7 in the first quarter, 17 in the second, and the Jets only points came in the final seconds of the half on a 42-yard field goal that just got in the uprights from Nick Folk.

The numbers in the game clearly speaks for itself. The Steelers have outgained the Jets 231 to 50, have 16 first downs to 5 for the Jets, and have rushed for 135 yards to just 1 for New York.

Rashard Mendenhall has run for 95 yards on 17 carries, and have held the ball for 21:04 to 8:56 for New York. The Jets are a tired team, and if the Steelers can keep doing what they are doing, there’s no doubt that they are headed for a showdown with the Packers in two weeks.

The Bears just lost the conference championship game on their home field to their hated rival in a game 70 years in the making.

I know it's difficult, but leave the 2^nd guessing, woulda, shoulda couldas and 'what if's for another day. Don't talk to me about Jay Cutler's toughness…or Lovie's decision to go with Todd Collins over Caleb Hanie early…or the questionable Earl Bennett reverse on a crucial 3^rd down on the deciding drive.

Instead, remember that…

• The Bears defense couldn't stop Rodgers and Co. from gaining crucial momentum early in the game.
• Cutler couldn't lead the Bears to a sustained drive in the 1^st half.
• Brian Urlacher couldn't outrun Aaron Rodgers in the open field for what should've been a pick-six.
• The supposedly superior Chicago special teams couldn't make the impact play many of us thought they needed to win the game.

The result? The Packers are going to the Super Bowl. The Bears are going home. Today the green and gold was better for longer against the blue and orange. Chicago and its fans will have to live with the misery for the rest of our lives. But hang in there Bear Nation…the pain will eventually subside.

And I know what you're thinking…but for now, we should leave Lovie alone.

The media peppered Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher with questions about the toughness of their starting QB in the postgame press conference. They both got pissed off and I understand why.

Jay Cutler is one tough SOB, and if this year didn't prove it, I don't know what will.

Cutler was the most sacked/hit QB in the NFL…by 12 sacks over the nearest guy. He was sacked 9 times in one half, for crying out loud. He never slid when he ran with the ball. He never called out his offensive line for his reoccurring beatdowns. He never complained about his lack of protection.

What good is he out there against an aggressive defense if he can't plant his foot to make a throw or execute the 7-step drops of Martz's timing offense? He was hurt and the Bears needed to rely on the next man in.

Instead of criticizing Lovie for putting the 38-year-old, more experienced Collins in a game that had everything riding on it, give the coach credit for pulling him quickly when things weren't working out.

It's a small consolation prize, but I've never been prouder of a Bears team after a loss.

The defense played unbelievable in the second half, keeping Rodgers – the league's hottest quarterback – out of the end zone. For the game, no. 12 didn't record a TD throw, had two passes picked and recorded a measly, Grossman-like 55.4 quarterback rating.

Caleb Hanie almost etched his name in NFL lore for leading an improbable Bears comeback with two late scoring drives. His 13-20, 153-yard and TD performance is all the more impressive considering he probably received more practice snaps as the scout team QB than he did running his own team's offense.

This one hurts. But if someone were to tell you back in August the Bears would be one of the last four teams standing and playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl, you would've bought that dude/dudette a one-way ticket to the funny farm.

The Super Bowl should be interesting to watch – I for one will have rooting interest (against the Packers) in the league's showcase game.

Bear Down, Chicago Bears.

Senior writer jclombardi previews & predictions on NFL  Championship game day.

Preview & predictions: Teams: Packers (12-6) vs. “Windy Carp” (12-5). Time: 2 p.m. CST. Place: Soldier Field, Chicago. TV coverage: FOX. Rankings: The Packers' ninth-ranked offense finished the regular season ranked No. 24 in rushing and No. 5 in passing. Their fifth-ranked defense finished No. 18 against the run and No. 5 against the pass. The Bears' 30^th-ranked offense finished No. 22 in rushing and No. 28 in passing. Their ninth-ranked defense was No. 2 against the run and No. 20 against the pass. Packers injury report: LB Frank Zombo (knee) is out. C/G Jason Spitz (calf) is questionable. LB A.J. Hawk (knee), LB Erik Walden (shoulder), LT Chad Clifton (knees), RB John Kuhn (shoulder), LB Clay Matthews (shin), DE Cullen Jenkins (calf), CB Pat Lee (hip), DE Ryan Pickett (ankle), CB Charles Woodson (toe) and LB Diyral Briggs (ankle) are probable. Line: The Packers are favored by 3 ½ points. THE BREAKDOWN: FIVE THINGS TO WATCH–Familiarity breeds contempt: With this marking the third meeting of the season, don't be surprised if you see something unexpected or new from both offenses and both defenses. Just because they know each other well doesn't mean there won't be a new wrinkle here or there. Meanwhile, Packers offensive coordinator said the coaches' intimate knowledge of their opponent cuts both ways. "(Offensively), we’ve gone through their blitzes. We’ve had preseason blitzes in ‘07 that they’ve run. Coach (Lovie) Smith’s been there since ‘04, so he’s been there a long time. We’ve got some guys on the offensive staff that have been there as long as he’s been there. So I think we have a good handle on how they like to play, what their defensive calls are," Philbin explained. "I think it can help you scheme. It can help you offensively stay out of a bad play potentially because you have a good grasp of what you anticipate from them. But, the surprise element, I’m sure they’ll have one or two up their sleeve and I’m sure we’ll have one or two. Again, I think when we attempt to surprise, it’s going to be about really the execution more than the surprise itself." Giving opponents headaches: Aaron Rodgers never wants to watch another game from the sideline. Since then, though, Rodgers has been phenomenal. In the four must-win games since, he has completed 93 of 128 passes for 1,179 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception (126.4 rating). His least efficient game (one touchdown, one interception) came against the Bears on Jan. 2. Starting fast: Do the Packers need a big play early in the game to ignite them? Anecdotal evidence suggests they do. Philbin wasn't sure, but the Packers would obviously take a big play early and the momentum it would create. "I think, in the ballgame," Philbin said. "Certainly there is something to momentum, there is something to confidence. And sometimes we’ve got to realize well, if we make a mistake or two, it’s not the end of the world. We’ve got to get the mistakes fixed. We’ve got to move on and be more productive." Running is his Forte: Matt Forte knows the numbers and he certainly doesn't mind what they mean: He's averaging about 18 carries per game in the Bears' 12 victories, roughly 11 in their five losses. It seems like a safe bet that Forte, who ran 15 times for 91 yards when the Packers beat the Bears on Jan. 2, will get his touches Sunday. At least, that's what Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers expects and he knows stopping Forte and backup Chester Taylor will be vital to getting pressure on Bears quarterback Cutler. If the Packers can stop the run and force Cutler into more challenging third-down distances, their probability of winning would go up significantly. Laying it on the line: For all the talk about Rodgers and Cutler and the historic rivalry this week, the stark reality is that this game will be decided in the trenches. The smart money says the team whose offensive line has the better game punches its ticket to Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Left tackle Chad Clifton figures to draw Peppers for most of the game, as he has in the past, while Bulaga warned that Idonije (eight sacks) is no slouch, either. On the flip side, the much-maligned Bears line has done just enough this season with their makeshift outfit, but rookie right tackle J'Marcus Webb has held his own. His matchup with Packers sack-meister Clay Matthews will be key, especially after Webb did a nice job on Matthews with limited help on Jan. 2. THE PREDICTION–Mason Crosby booting a 43-yard field goal in the final minute to send the Packers to their fifth Super Bowl. Packers 23, Bears 20.

Packers are favorites: No one is giving the Chicago Bears a chance in today's NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers. In an informal survey, McClure is the long wolf on the Chicago Tribune's four-person prediction panel sides with the Bears. Writes McClure: "The Bears return to the Super Bowl thanks to Robbie Gould's 10th career game-winning field goal. The formula? [WHAT THE BEARS HOPE HAPPENS TODAY] The front four gets to Aaron Rodgers, Matt Forte pounds out 100-plus yards and Devin Hester gives the offense outstanding field position. Not to mention Jay Cutler plays smart. Bears 20. Packers 17." The entire Press-Gazette prediction panel is picking the Packers to win. Trotter of Sports Illustrated is picking the Packers. All of Pro Football Weekly's nine-man prediction panel are picking the Packers. Of 15 prognosticators surveyed, 14 say the Packers are going to win. So even though the Bears beat out the Packers for the NFC North crown and have the home-field advantage today, they are the decided underdog. The latest odds by Bodog.com say the Packers are 3½-point favorites.

COMMENTARY: Over the past week, we appeared on sport programs throughout the country about the Packers in the NFL Championship game. It was an absolutely great week seeing the excitement build to Sunday afternoon. For the Packers and Packers nation, we simply say., “Hard work, luck, and destiny have brought you to this glorious day. The title is yours; so go Pack.”