NFL Championship Sunday

It's Championship Sunday in the NFL. Today 4 teams duke it out for the right to represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl 51.

The first of the 2 games to kick off later today at will be the Green Bay Packers vs. the Atlanta Falcons with kick-off scheduled for 3:05 pm. The second game featuring the New England Patriots vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers will kick-off at 6:40 this evening.

Here are Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms of CBS Sports, to preview the game action and give us their insight into the games.

Packers vs. Falcons



Patriots vs. Steelers



My predictions for today's action is the Atlanta Falcons over the Green Bay Packers with the score of 31 - 27 for the NFC Championship and the New England Patriots over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24 - 17 for the AFC Championship.

So, if you're keeping score, I believe it will be the Atlanta Falcons facing off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 in two weeks time on February 5th.

NFL Wild Card Weekend Playoffs: Who Will Win?

The NFL playoffs are upon us! If you're a fan of the NFL, this is what you've been waiting for. The final 12 teams left standing, slugging it out until there are just 2 teams left standing. They will meet on February 5th, on a field in Houston for the title of  Super Bowl LI Champion!

This weekend is the Wild Card round of playoff games for 8 NFL teams and Yahoo Sports attempts to answer the question, Who Will Win?

Below are the 4 games that will be played over the course Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, let's see how well Yahoo's experts did figuring out the winners.

Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders



Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions



Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers



New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

NFL NFC Championship Game Packers At Seahawks Preview

It's been a long time since opening weekend of the season where the Green Bay Packers lost to the defending Super Bowl Champions the Seattle Seahawks.

The weather in Seattle is going to be very wet and with Packer quarterbackAaron Rogers still nursing a calf injury his mobility is questionable, many are saying that due to his injury and the wet conditions it will be very difficult for Rogers to throw the ball, whereas the Seahawks have been practicing all week in the wet conditions preparing for the game.

The Packers have had a hard time on defense lately. They have been moving a number of players around trying to improve their run defense and with Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch running the ball for the Seahawks the Packer will need all the help they can get.

It is for these reason that I feel the Seattle Seahawks will be returning to the Super bowl this year. They will defeat the Green Bay Packers 27 - 17 in wet and rainy Seattle.

See what CBS Sports Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan have to say in their preview of the NFC Conference Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.



An interesting sidebar Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson has never, in his short NFL career, been beaten by a quarterback that has won the Super Bowl. 

NFL AFC Championship Game Colts At Patriots Preview

Last week I posted previews of the NFL divisional playoff games and gave my thoughts on which teams would win. I came out a soft 3-1 with my picks. I say soft because if you want to be technical I was really 2-2, picking the Cowboys over the Packers in my head, but hoping beyond hope that the Packers would win, which they did.

The other game that I lost last week was the Indianapolis Colts against the Denver Broncos. I really thought that the Broncos would run and throw up and down the field on the Colts defense, unfortunately that wasn't the case. Thanks in part to the Colts defense, which played very well, and a  previously undisclosed injury to Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, that seemed to limit his mobility and pass accuracy.  Taking nothing away from the Colts' Andrew Luck, who had just a spectacular game.

In today's AFC Championship game sees the New England Patriots taking on the Colts in Foxboro. It's supposed to be cold and rainy up there today which will give Tom Brady and the Patriots a distinct advantage. However, the Patriots have had the Colts and Luck's number for a rather long time now. The Patriots haven't lost to the Colts during the Andrew Luck era.   playoff games. Today will be no different, the Patriots just don't lose home.

My pick? The Patriots over the Colts 28 - 23

See what CBS Sports Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan have to say in their preview of the AFC Conference Championship between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots:

Colts at Broncos AFC Divisional Playoff

In opinion, this last game of the weekend between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos will be the least competitive of the four NFL playoff games this weekend. The Colts have no business being on the field. Their defense sucks and the only reason why they are in the playoffs is due to the play of their quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck is a carbon copy of the guy he replaced as the Colts quarterback, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning.  Luck has great regular season and early playoff numbers but falls short because his team around him becomes exposed by superior teams this time of year, much like the Colt teams Manning lead for most of his NFL career.

The Broncos will be the superior team on the field in Denver later today. The only advantage the Colts hold over Manning and the Broncos will be the placekicking of future NFL Hall of Famer, Adam Venatieri . This game could get out of hand early but I think Andrew Luck will do his best to make it seem competitive but in reality it will be anything but. Broncos 38 Colts 23

See what the guys from CBS sports have to say:

Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the AFC Divisional matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.

Cowboys at Packers NFC Divisional Playoff

Once again there are two NFL Divisional playoff games today. The first game sees the Dallas Cowboy's traveling to Green Bay to take on the Packers at cold and windy, Lambeau Field.

This game is probably going to be the most competitive of the four playoff games this weekend.
Even though it will be cold in Green Bay, it won't be as cold as it had been for other classic January playoff games at Lambeau Field. Normally the weather conditions in Green Bay would favor the Packer but it's expected to be sunny and 21 degrees with a slight wind chill at kick-off.

Aaron Rodgers has a calf injury and the Packers's defense has been beaten up most of the season. I expect Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboy offense not to be effected much by the weather and be able to move the ball up and down field against the Packers defense rather easily most of the day. The only reason why this game will be close and could go either way however is Aaron Rodgers. Even injured, he's that good.

I hope the Packers pull this one off because I can't stand the Cowboys but I think the Packers will come up a few yards short.  Cowboys 28 Packers 24

See what the guys from CBS sports have to say:
Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the NFC Divisional matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers

Panthers at Seahawks NFC Divisional Payoff

In tonight's late game, the Seatle Seahawks make their post season debut in the NFC divisional playoff game against the Carolina Panthers in Seatle.  Expect Seatle's defense to manhandle Carolina's offense and quarterback Cam Newton and while Seatle's offense does just enough to win.

Seatle with the help of  their "12th" man, the fans in the stands, should win easily. My prediction for the score Seahawks 23  Pathers 9

See what the guys from CBS sports have to say:

Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the NFC Divisional matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks.

Ravens at Patriots AFC Divisional Playoff

In the first of two NFL Divisional playoff games being played today,in this AFC game the Baltimore Ravens take on the New England Patriots in Foxboro. This should be a good game that I expect to be competitive and fun to watch. I expect Tom Brady and the Patriots to come out on top due to the fact that the Baltimore defensive secondary is the Raven's weak spot.  My prediction, Patriots 31 Ravens 19

See what the guys from CBS Sports think:

 Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the AFC Divisional matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.

NJ Watchdog: Taxpayers penalized as Christie cheers for Cowboys

For immediate release:

It’s no longer a secret that Chris Christie’s free rides to Dallas Cowboys football games are paid by team owner Jerry Jones. The real mystery is how much more the governor’s gridiron follies cost New Jersey taxpayers.

In the aftermath of the nationally-televised appearance at Sunday’s NFL playoff game in Dallas against the Detroit Lions, the governor’s staff acknowledged Jones paid for the tickets and a private charter jet for Christie, his wife and four children – and footed the bill for at least two other gubernatorial outings at Cowboys games this season.

“Gov. Christie attended the game last night as a guest of Jerry Jones, who provided both the ticket and the transportation at no expense to New Jersey taxpayers,” spokesman Kevin Roberts said Monday.

But what about the travel bills and overtime pay for the New Jersey State Police troopers assigned to follow and protect Christie wherever he goes? And how much do the governor’s travels – official and unofficial, business and pleasure – really cost taxpayers?

Believe it or not, Christie’s staff and the state police say they don’t keep track of the Executive Protection Unit's expenses – and therefore, they say they have no detailed records to release.

The complete story is now online at http://watchdog.org/190957/nj-christie-cowboys/.

Sunday NFL Divisional Playoff Previews: Texans Vs Ravens, Giants Vs Packers

The Houston Texans will square off against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium while the New York Giants will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the defending champion Green Bay Packers after a big win over the Falcons last week.

Which teams will come out on top and advance to their Conference Championship games? Jason Horowitz and NFL.com's Pat Kirwan break it down.

Saturday NFL Divisional Playoff Previews: Saints Vs 49ers, Broncos Vs Patriots

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints will square off against Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday afternoon at Candlestick Park while Tim Tebow and the Denver Bronco face off against the New England Patriots after their impressive overtime win over the Steelers last week, in the late game.

Which teams have the advantage? Join NFL.com's Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz as they preview these games.

Sunday Playoff Previews: Falcons vs. Giants, Steelers vs. Broncos

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons will square off against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in an exciting NFC Wild Card battle. Will Eli Manning lead the Giants to a victory? Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will go up against Tim Tebow and the Broncos on Sunday in this AFC wild-card matchup. Join NFL.com's Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz as they preview this upcoming game.

Saturday Playoff Previews: Bengals vs. Texans, Lions vs. Saints

On Saturday, January 7th, Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in an AFC Wild Card game, while Matthew Stafford and the Lions will prepare to battle Drew Brees and the Saints in an intense NFC wild-card matchup. Who will come out on top? Join Jason Horowitz and NFL.com's Pat Kirwan as they take a look at this matchup.

The Playoffs - Giants v. Falcons for Princess

I don't have to tell everyone what a huge win last weeks victory over the Dallas Cowboys was for the NY Giants, it was huge. The win sealed the division title for the G-men and propelled them into the NFL playoffs. And if you remember back to last week, Princess the Camel predicted the outcome correctly!

For those keeping track thus far of Princess's prognostications for the year, she finished up the regular season with an impressive 11(W)-5(L)record with last weeks win, she is now looking to extend her winning ways into the playoffs.

In the opening round of this years playoffs, the Giants will be facing the Atlanta Falcons at home on Suday in MetLife Stadium. It will be the very first playoff game held in the Giants the new stadium.

So who does Princess the Camel favor in this historic game? The Giants of course!

"...the Giants defense is finally healthy now. Did you see what they did to Romo last week? I felt bad for him and I feel sorry for the Falcons quarterback. Eli to Cruz unstoppable!!! They ought to call it “The Cruz Missile”.", said Princess, not at all trying to hide her glee over the resurgent Giants.

Do the Giants and Princess have what it take to continue their winning ways (until at least next week)? I think so, the Falcons are a team built to play indoors and while the weather may not a big factor (temps in the mid 40's with a chance of rain and possible wind), it may come into play at some point and turn the game in favor of the Giants.