Fearless Predictions - Conference Championships

There's still time to vote on the People's Playoffs roster for this week (and for Super Bowl week, since the rosters will lock on Sunday). While you contemplate your selections, it's time to tell you what will happen Sunday in the NFL conference championship games. Last week's predictions went 3-1, raising the playoff forecast record to a respectable 4-4.
NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears. We'll set aside the question Bill Simmons fielded Friday about whether these two teams have a rivalry. Instead, we'll focus on what both teams bring to the table. Green Bay brings Charles Woodson, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Clay Matthews Jr., one of the favorites to take that honor this season. Chicago has Jay Cutler, who will be starting the second playoff game of his professional career. (By contrast, Mark Sanchez will be starting his sixth.) They also have Mike Martz, who sometimes still calls games as if he feels the words "blocking" and "tight end" don't belong in the same paragraph. Evidence? Cutler was sacked a league-leading 52 times this season, or 12 more times than runner-up Joe Flacco. When it comes down to it, the people who bring you the People's Pigskin trust Matthews, Woodson and their cohorts more than they trust Cutler and his offensive line. The Packers win a third straight road game and punch their ticket for the Super Bowl.
AFC Championship: New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. There is no question that Mark Sanchez has evolved into a legitimate NFL quarterback. And Rex Ryan is proving that he can back up his big words with big games. But once again, it's a question of who do you trust. Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger, who may have ridden Jerome Bettis' coattails to one Super Bowl ring but more than earned his second with a drive that culminated with one of the most famous catches in postseason history. On the other side of the line of scrimmage, we have Antonio Cromartie (remember him?), who can stand on his head one week and fall flat on his face the next. He stood on his head last week against the New England Patriots. But if the question is which player is more likely to come through again this week, the answer has to be Roethlisberger until someone proves otherwise. The Steelers march on to Arlington and the House That Texas Taxpayers Built.
We'll be back with the poll results.

Game Time, Baby (and New Poll)

The lineup is set, and you can follow the People's Pigskin's battle against Ravens Fan T Sizzle here.

Before I head to Sofia Restaurant, the unofficial second home of the People's Pigskin, here are a few story lines to follow early this Sunday.

Sigh of relief. The Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed that Matt Cassel will not play today against the Baltimore Ravens. Matt probably looked at this defense and said "Um, Coach, uh...my knee is acting up." Brodie Croyle is the likely starter. Great news if you have the Ravens D. Bad news if your opponent does.

You heard it here last. The Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns, where, drumroll please ... Brady Quinn is starting at quarterback! I'm sure fantasy fans around the world are relieved to learn this and are racing to their laptops to get him in their lineup.

Oh, yeah, the other QB. Some guy named Brett is starting for the Vikings in the aforementioned matchup. But the question really isn't how many fantasy points he gets. It's how many points his backfield comrade will get.

Breaking them ... in. A couple of rookie quarterbacks get the starting nod today. Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets takes the field today against the Houston Texans, and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit takes the turf against the New Orleans Saints. Expect them both to take a few lumps, and here's hoping you're not pushed into a situation where you're starting either today.

New poll below. We'll be back later.

[polldaddy poll=1988522]

Preseason Week 3 preview

This week is often called "dress rehearsal" week, because this is when the starters will get their longest looks of the preseason. It's also when fantasy players either have a team drafted or are putting the finishing touches on their drafting plans.

Whatever the case may be, this will be a week of games worth watching. Here's a few of the things that should hold the attention of fantasy players for the next several days.

Microscope time. (Jacksonville @ Philadelphia, Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. EDT) Yeah, yeah, that Michael something-or-other will be getting a look, but my eyes will be on Donovan McNabb. After all, he is the starter -- at least, officially -- and I wouldn't waste a fantasy draft choice on a backup quarterback who may miss the first third of the regular season. Still, despite the positive words coming out of Donovan's mouth, there's got to be pressure on the dude to perform well right out of the gate.

Anybody want this job? (Miami @ Tampa Bay, Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m. EDT, Fox) What do Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown have in common? They're all quarterbacks, and they're all on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Can Leftwich cement a spot in the starting lineup with a strong performance?

Hit me with your best shot. (New England @ Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m. EDT, CBS) Yes, Tom Brady took a good shot last week against Cincinnati, and yes, he will be taking hits as long as his career continues. But there's no getting around this: Everyone, especially fantasy players, will be studying how many hits Tom takes, and how well he shakes them off, physically and mentally, pretty much from now through January.

Maybe it was a fluke. (New York Giants vs. New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.) OK, Mark Sanchez did not set the world on fire Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. So how did the Jets brass respond? Naming him the opening day starter, of course. And how will he celebrate this early career achievement? By facing the one defense that might make people hesitate before spending that fourth-round pick on the Steelers. Good luck, kid.

You again? (Chicago @ Denver, Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. EDT, NBC) Here's hoping Kyle Orton resists the urge to throw any left-handed passes. And here's hoping Jay Cutler proves to be worth all those fifth- and sixth-round picks people are going to spend on him in the fantasy world. And speaking of quarterbacks with something to prove...

Uh, oh. (Minnesota @ Houston, Monday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN) Now, no one is going to argue that the Vikings should have stood pat at QB. I wouldn't want to face a season of Tarvaris-or-Sage questions, either. But this Brett Favre experiment has the potential of exploding like the Hindenburg. At least, if the reports of a locker room "schism" are anywhere close to accurate. Of course, wins have a way of healing these wounds. And Brett needs to win quickly, for both his teammates and anyone who drafts him.

A Mark Sanchez scouting report

For those of you who couldn't resist the allure of "Dating in the Dark," here's a summary of Mark Sanchez's Monday evening against the Baltimore Ravens. The New York Jets heir apparent had a less-than-stellar night. Here are the stats: 3 for 8, 43 yards, a touchdown, an interception returned for a touchdown, a dropped interception that should have been returned for a touchdown, two delay of game penalties, and a fumbled hand-off attempt.

The good folks at ESPN were singing Mark's praises when he was done, but if I were the Jets, I would not be elated with his performance. If they wanted a quarterback with a tendency to throw the ball up for grabs when the going gets tough, they could have stuck with this guy.

Everyone has an opinion, and here's mine: Draft Sanchez with caution. And if you've already drafted him, pray to the Supreme Being of your choice that he doesn't get obliterated Saturday, when he will face another top-notch defense: the New York Giants.