At the Water Cooler : Conference Championship Sunday

Oh, gang. What a Championship Sunday we had!!! It’s one thing to have two games that are surrounded by legitimate anticipation; it’s completely another thing to have two games that live up to that anticipation. And in my book, both of the games did. Let’s dive right in.

AFC Championship

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (Broncos won, 26-16)

Really, how can you not be excited for Peyton Manning? Answer me that. The guy has overcome so much just to play again, let alone play again at a record-setting level. He’s one of the good guys, a walk-in Hall of Famer, and it’s just good for football (and football fans!) to have him playing in another Super Bowl. Way to go, 18.

As far as the game goes… it was also all about 18. He had a brilliant game. Plus, the Broncos defense held their own against the Tom Brady and the Patriots, and that’s no easy feat. The Broncos deserve this trip to the Super Bowl in every way.

NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks won, 23-17)

As predicted, this was a tight race between two division rivals, a hard-hitting game to say the least. The Niners dominated the first half, holding the Seahawks to a mere 3 points at the half. But the Seahawks came back in the second half and caught some breaks from the refs and are on their way to the Super Bowl.

Wondering what to expect on the blog between now and Super Bowl Sunday? Good question! We’ll start by wrapping up the 12 Posts of Playoffs this week, dive headfirst into a hardcore overview of the basics next week, and do a little Super Bowl preview in case you need a quick reference guide for the game. By the time February 2nd arrives you’ll be so full of football wisdom you won’t know what to do with yourself.

Actually, when February 3rd arrives you really won’t know what to do with yourself.

But let’s cross those off-season bridges when we come to them. For now, we have a GREAT Super Bowl to look forward to and lots of learnin’ to do before then! See you all tomorrow!

Halfway Point : NFC

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Today we’re moving on to the NFC, and unfortunately we have to start this party with the worst division in the history of ever: the NFC East.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys (4-4)

There really are no words for this. One would assume that the Cowboys can’t stay in first place to win this division based on their wildly inconsistent play and propensity to lose games in the weirdest ways, but one has not surveyed the rest of the teams in this division yet. Just you wait.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)

The NFC East is a place in which you can lose ten consecutive home games and score zero offensive points in your last matchup…and still be poised to win the division.

3. Washington Redskins (2-5)

RG3 looks a little more like himself with each passing week, which should be encouraging for Redskins fans in an otherwise discouraging season.

4. New York Giants (2-6)

That the Giants lost their first six games, look like a hott mess, and still have a legitimate shot to get to first place in the division should paint an accurate picture of the NFC East. It boggles the mind. And then boggles it again.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (5-2)

After starting the season 1-2 the Packers have bounced back and are on a 4-game win streak. They have a hospital ward’s worth of injuries to overcome, but with Aaron Rodgers under center the Packers always have a chance.

2. Detroit Lions (5-3)

Did you see the end of the game against the Cowboys? That’s how the Lions are doing right now. Which is to say: pretty darn good.

3. Chicago Bears (4-3)

Losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a groin injury was a tough break for the Bears, who were on a bit of a roll. He’s projected to be out for another few weeks…when they play two divisional foes in the next two weeks, the Packers on Monday Night Football and the Lions. It’s a tall order.

4. Minnesota Vikings (1-6)

Vikes = Yikes. It’s been a rough start for a team that made the playoffs that year.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (6-1)

The Saints are marching into first place in this division and a consequent spot in the playoffs, barring a crazy turn of events in the NFC South.

2. Carolina Panthers (4-3)

This team is legit – two of those losses could have easily been wins. And their schedule for the rest of the season isn’t terrible. There’s definite playoff potential for the Panthers this year if they keep playing the way they’ve been playing.

3. Atlanta Falcons (2-5)

I’m not sure which perennial playoff meltdown is more surprising: the Giants or the Falcons. The wheels have really come off in Atlanta, which is really too bad to see in tight end Tony Gonzalez’s last season.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)

It’s safe to say that between the MRSA outbreak and giving former starting quarterback Josh Freeman the heave-ho it’s been the worst of times in Tampa Bay. To make worse matters worse: The Bucs next game is against the Seahawks…in Seattle, where no visiting team has won this season…or last.

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks (7-1)

If the aforementioned Seahawks continue their home win streak and grab the top spot in the NFC for home field advantage in the playoffs, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which they don’t go straight to the Super Bowl as a result.

2. The San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

These 49ers don’t look quite as dominant as the 49ers who went to the Super Bowl last year. The second half of their schedule is far from light, either – especially considering that every team in the NFC West is competitive.

3. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

This Cardinals defense means business. And with a bye week then Houston then Jacksonville it’s completely possible that the Cardinals could be in contention for a wildcard spot come playoff time. Let’s pause for a moment and realize that three out of the four teams in this division are legitimate playoff contenders. The NFC West is no joke.

4. St. Louis Rams 

The bad news is that starting quarterback Sam Bradford is out for the rest of the season. The good news is that the St. Louis Cardinals are in the World Series.

Ok NFC people, you’re up! How’s the season gone for you so far? Thoughts on the second half?

Preseason Lowdown : Complete Roundup

We’ve spent the past four weeks breaking down every team in the NFL. Just in case you missed anything or want to reference a specific post in the future when the preseason predictions come apart at the seams, here’s one last look at every Preseason Lowdown:

AFC EAST

Preseason Lowdown : Buffalo Bills

Preseason Lowdown : Miami Dolphins

Preseason Lowdown : New England Patriots

Preseason Lowdown : New York Jets

AFC NORTH

Preseason Lowdown : Baltimore Ravens

Preseason Lowdown : Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason Lowdown : Cleveland Browns

Preseason Lowdown : Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC SOUTH

Preseason Lowdown : Houston Texans

Preseason Lowdown : Indianapolis Colts

Preseason Lowdown : Jacksonville Jaguars

Preseason Lowdown : Tennessee Titans

AFC WEST

Preseason Lowdown : Denver Broncos

Preseason Lowdown : Kansas City Chiefs

Preseason Lowdown : Oakland Raiders

Preseason Lowdown : San Diego Chargers

NFC EAST

Preseason Lowdown : Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Lowdown : New York Giants

Preseason Lowdown : Philadelphia Eagles

Preseason Lowdown : Washington Redskins

NFC NORTH

Preseason Lowdown : Chicago Bears

Preseason Lowdown : Detroit Lions

Preseason Lowdown : Green Bay Packers

Preseason Lowdown : Minnesota Vikings

NFC SOUTH

Preseason Lowdown : Atlanta Falcons

Preseason Lowdown : Carolina Panthers

Preseason Lowdown : New Orleans Saints

Preseason Lowdown : Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC WEST

Preseason Lowdown : Arizona Cardinals

Preseason Lowdown : St. Louis Rams

Preseason Lowdown : San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Lowdown : Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Lowdown Roundup : NFC South and West

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Miss anything from the the NFC South or West? Here’s this week’s roundup!

Preseason Lowdown : Atlanta Falcons

Preseason Lowdown : Carolina Panthers

Preseason Lowdown : New Orleans Saints

Preseason Lowdown : Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Preseason Lowdown : Arizona Cardinals

Preseason Lowdown : St. Louis Rams

Preseason Lowdown : San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Lowdown : Seattle Seahawks

See you all next week for the start of the regular season (!!!) and a very special surprise coming midweek! I can’t wait!!!

Best of Pocket Guides : NFC Teams

Originally posted here on June 19, 2013

Because the regular season is coming soon (!!!), we’ll start doing divisional breakdowns again in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, here’s a pocket guide to all of the NFC Teams that might come in handy this season.

(Don’t feel left out, AFC fans. Next week is your time to shine!)

Print This!

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Pocket Guide to NFC Teams

Because the regular season is coming soon (!!!), we’ll start doing divisional breakdowns again in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, here’s a pocket guide to all of the NFC Teams that might come in handy this season.

(Don’t feel left out, AFC fans. Next week is your time to shine!)

[ilink url=”http://www.footballfornormalgirls.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/NFC-Teams.jpg” style=”download”]Print This![/ilink]

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