NFL Power Rankings: Steelers, Packers streak into final four Published: Jan 17, 2017 at 03:48 AM Elliot Harrison Championship Sunday is nigh! As a kid, this was my favorite football Sunday of the year. Playing for a ticket to the -- and deciding conference supremacy -- was enough to fire anybody up. But the other cool part was that, so often in the '80s, one of the teams was a pretty big underdog: the '83 , '84 and , '86 , '89 . Too bad all those teams got Rickrolled. Tajae Sharpe Jersey Yet, every once in a while, a squad like the '85 would roll all the way to the -- then get crushed there. That's just not the case this year. Each of the four teams playing in the two conference championship games features a premier quarterback and an offense that can put up points in flurries. And the road teams are simply too strong. has been the best RB in the league (sorry, and ) over the last eight games, while we're all wondering what's coming next from ' soaring legend. Atlanta and Green Bay in an important late season game, December of 1994. Favre and Packers soared into the playoffs. Elliot Harrison (@HarrisonNFL) Brett Favre also beat the the next season, in the '95 Wild Card Round. That was the first of three postseason tilts between those two franchises, with the Pack holding a 2-1 edge. But is Green Bay the stronger team right now? See below. Your thoughts are welcome: is the place. Let the di sension commence! The lineup below reflects changes from . Interesting that everyone thinks the played beneath themselves against the . Oh, sure, Bill Belichick agrees, but he would find fault in a 46-16 win, methinks. New England "only" won . Look acro s that roster, man. Where are the big names? Outside of , New England's made up of many good players who are well-coached and work in cohesion. is Gronk-spiking on IR. Not to mention, the have significant talent of their own. You think , and can't play? It goes to show how well-managed your football team is when it is perceived to not be playing up to snuff, yet puts up 34 and wins by three scores against a division champ. OK, so this would be an appropriate time to insert the . By now, all of the questions about this squad should be answered. Can the win against top competition on the road? Is the defense capable of winning a game by itself when the offense sputters? Does Pittsburgh have the best player in the game? With apologies to all those who say it is unequivocally , this is Here's a rundown of 's scrimmage yards over the Drew Dalman Jersey last eight games: 201, 142, 182, 298, 131, 137, 174 and 166. That's not great production, that's production. You know, like best-player-in-the-game stuff. And if you think Bell can't e sentially win a game by himself -- like a quarterback -- go watch . Todd Gurley II Jersey While watching the ' rushing tandem of and on Saturday, I started wondering, somewhere in the second half, which remaining defense is most capable of halting these guys? My gue s: New England. Team I didn't consider: Green Bay. With all of the ' coverage problems (and health i sues) in the secondary, putting Freeman outside with Coleman in the backfield could be a viable tool . Of course, if Green Bay puts a linebacker on either, it's a mismatch. Interesting those will be coming to town with the guy most are calling the best quarterback in the game right now. Yet, plays for Atlanta. Helluva way to The boogieman always gets more than just the dude with the sleevele s puffy jacket (the Lions). No, he usually takes out the gal in the laundry room, too (the , and their untimely penalties). Well, at least Michael Myers did. I've watched too many times to hope doesn't let behind him, and it hasn't gotten any le s impre sive. There is . After two days of thinking about it, here is where I would put Rodgers' effort among the greatest postseason throws: **1)** **2)** **3)** **4)** **5)** That's what I would say today. , although not as gut-wrenching as the 2007 Divisional Round lo s to the . , a probable first-ballot quarterback, made in a game where both teams showed immense character. The '07 failure was marred by a flat start and dropped footballs. started that game and, a decade later, . Worth wondering: If Romo had thrown those three touchdowns and one pick -- like did Sunday -- would the highlight shows have Hayden Hurst Jersey led with the interception instead of the comeback? OK, let's push it forward. Here are Dallas' offseason needs: QB2, DE, RT, CB and __ (Hit me with your suggestions: ). deserved better than . Oh, boy. And then, on the game's most important third down, we saw Brown speeding acro s the field -- and right past Houston -- . Those plays were big asks of big No. 50, as was . It's that kind of leadership from Houston that will keep Kansas City hungry in 2017. Heck, more than leadership. Remember, the didn't have Houston's services for 11 games this season. Nor did they have when they needed him most: on any one of 's 30 carries. These guys will be back. ? Different question. Concerning -- or not so concerning? -- regarding the ' "window closing." Don't see it myself. In fact, I think this team will be even primed to make a run in 2017. The oldest top-shelf player is , who is only 31 and still playing at a high level. Jared Allen piled up 11.5 sacks at age 31; logged 11. The vast majority of Seattle's cornerstone players are under contract. won't be starting the year on the shelf. will be healthy, too. And the and seem more than a year away. Oh, and Seattle can draft another offensive lineman. We'll stop. Let the hand-wringing over begin. Let the rampant Romo speculation begin. Although, honestly, I don't see happening. The are locked into Brock of Ages for, well, not that long, but another year. And though this team is close enough with a healthy and crew that Romo could make a tremendous impact, it would be a huge risk. The conservative play would be to see what you can still get out of Osweiler. The guy has only started 23 games in the NFL. The intriguing part of the ' quarterback discu sion is how much consideration will get in 2017. No matter who plays, Houston would benefit from becoming a true bell-cow back, capable of carrying 20 per starting 16 per. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use Fabian Moreau Jersey the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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