Conference Championship Sunday is almost here, meaning that four teams are just a single win away from the Super Bowl. This definitely wasn't the expected final four when you look at every team, especially if you were making predictions before the season started, but thanks to some upsets and complete surprises, the Packers, Giants, Chargers, and Patriots are still playing football.
I would say the Packers are the biggest surprise just considering where they were expected to be before the season. Most figured they'd have a solid season, but no one probably would have guessed they'd be on the verge of returning to the Super Bowl. Staying in the NFC, how 'bout those Giants. Dallas fell to New York last week, continuing Eli and company's road magic. I don't know how they've done it, but NY hasn't lost on the road since Week 1 of this past regular season. That match-up will be very interesting, especially since the temperature is expected to be in single digits come kickoff at Lambeau.
In the AFC, the Patriots are no shock at all. I will say that being 17-0 is surprising, though, simply because I didn't think any team could go this long without a loss. Their opponents, the Chargers, got to the AFC Championship Game thanks to an upset at Indy. They fought through injuries to somehow win against the Colts, and now face an even tougher task in beating the Pats.
Here is Sunday's schedule along with my predictions:
NFL ON CBS
3:00 PM San Diego @ New England
NFL ON FOX
6:30 PM NY Giants @ Green Bay
And here is a look at my original playoff predictions for this round and the Super Bowl (striked out teams eliminated):
Conference Championship Round
Dallas Cowboys beat Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots beat Indianapolis Colts
SUPER BOWL XLII
New England Patriots beat Dallas Cowboys