Participants,

It’s the first time in 10 years that we have a #1, #2, #3 and #4 seed playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl.  The Patriots played that year and were defeated by Peyton’s Colts, who went on to win the Super Bowl over da’ Bears in Miami.  2007 Winner also captured the HSBT that season.

So now the importance of picking a score close the actual is heightening to almost Everest proportions.

• Cheesehead fingernails are gnawed almost down to the rind; who isn’t under the weather?
• Will the Georgia Dome end its run with a Falcon victory or will they look forward to a new start next season in the Mercedes Benz Stadium (available for a lease of only $679 per month)?
• Which Ben will show up in Foxboro – the home version or road version?
• Can anyone stop the patch-work Patriots?

These questions and more will be answered later today.  The leaders are now looking back to see how much of a lead they have, while the rest of the pack is like hungry wolves closing in on their prey.

Welcome to Conference Championship Sunday!

#4 (Feeling) Green Bay Packers @ #2 Atlanta Falcons
Just to make the day more interesting, Packer QB Aaron Rodgers (he of the transcendent performances) and several teammates are fighting “a bug” that’s going around the locker room.  WR Jordy Nelson (he of the 2 or more broken ribs from a couple weeks ago) is a “go.”  The secondary is a mess and another RB will not be suiting it up today.  So – technically, the Pack does not have a chance.

The most pressure on the Falcons today will be their ownership.  Right out of the famous Charles Dickens book, “Great Expectations,” Atlanta is supposed to play in Houston in 2 weeks.  Especially when you are building a $1.5 billion new stadium to showcase your Super Bowl winning team!  WR Julio Jones is allegedly 100% (toe injury), but he also said that last week and dinged it again.  The dynamic RB duo of Devontae Freeman and Tevin Coleman will most likely be the difference.

Two outstanding QB’s and the 2^nd best playoff game this season.  The noise factor will most likely blow the roof off the Georgia Dome and the Falcons will be back in the big game for the first time since 1999.

Atlanta 33, Green Bay 26 (oh, that Hail Mary drop in the end zone on the last play!)

Or?

Packers 34, Birds of Prey 31 (OT thriller for the Iceman, K Mason Crosby – this time from 61 yards)

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #1 New England Patriots
The Killer B’s (Big Ben, Bell, Brown and Boswell) vs. Welcome to the Machine (… courtesy of Pink Floyd).  2 future HOF’ers will slug this one out under balmy skies in the nightcap.  They rank #1 and #2 in playoff wins among active players.  Neither of these teams has lost since Week 10, going 17-0.  Two teams with rich playoff legacies.

Can anyone stop Steeler RB Le’Veon Bell?  If the answer tonight is no, then we will see Pittsburgh win in a shootout.  Can anyone stop the Patriots?  At Gillette Stadium?

We will see.  Take a nap early this afternoon so you can stay up for this thriller.

New England 23, Pittsburgh 20 (Another Brick in the Wall for the Patriots, as David Gilmour replaces Steven Tyler seated next to Robert Kraft)

Or?

Killer B’s 27, Patriots 24 (another OT game today?)

No matter the outcome, it’s shaping up to be a great day of football, with a trip to the SB on the line.

• Pete the Terp has the best HSBT record in Conference Championship games (15-5) and looks to keep the trophy in Maryland
• Greg the Great has set the standard with 520 points in these 2 games (which includes a 401-point home game victory for the Patriots a couple years ago…)
• Buffalo Bill is the all-time points leader in these 2 games (with 4,881 over 28 seasons) and is looking to position himself for his first trophy win “in a few years”
• Is 2017 Winner on his way to trophy #7?
• Undefeated (8-0) Comeback Kid still holds the record for the biggest comeback, so never count him out
• HenricoFiveOh (7-1) is quietly stalking the leader and has his eye on the prize…
• Ben the Butler – will he get his picks in on time? He is becoming notorious for frantic, last second pick submissions.  No slack this weekend if he wants to remain in 2^nd place
• JTB has the highest game average in the Conference Championships, with over 100 points per game. Watch out!

My game summaries will be coming out next week.  Until then, be sure to submit your picks before kickoff and get prepared for 2 great games.

I remain,

~~ The Commish