John McClain lays out what to expect from the NFL’s Final Four this weekend.
Quarterbacks take center stage for conference championships
When they watch the playoffs this weekend, Texans fans can dream about having a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger or Matt Ryan. They can close their eyes and imagine what it would be like if the Texans had any of those at the most important position on the team.
If they did, the Texans would be hosting the AFC Championship Game and favored to reach Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
Just close your eyes and imagine how good your team could be — how explosive, how dominant, how exciting and how successful.
Now, wake up! It’s just a dream. A sweet one but a dream nonetheless.
On Sunday, NFL fans are going to be treated to matchups involving four outstanding quarterbacks who have combined for seven Super Bowl rings, three destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and another who could become a candidate.
Ryan and Rodgers, who should finish first and second in voting for the NFL Most Valuable Player Award the night before Super Bowl LI, play in the NFC Championship Game in Atlanta.
Brady and Roethlisberger, who have combined to win six Super Bowl rings, square off in the AFC Championship Game at New England, where the Patriots are 16-3 in playoff games since Bill Belichick became their coach.
No bad matchup
The winners come to Houston for Super Bowl LI.
No matter who wins, there will be no bad matchup at NRG Stadium.
These are four of the best offensive teams in the NFL, not surprising because they each have exceptional quarterbacks. All four offenses ranked among the top eight, led by Atlanta (second) and New England (fourth). The Patriots (eighth) boast the only defense ranked among the top 10. Expect lots of points. Both games are rematches from the regular season.
On Oct. 23, the Patriots beat the Steelers 27-16 at Heinz Field. A week later, the Falcons escaped with a 33-32 victory over the Packers in the Georgia Dome.
The Green Bay-Atlanta game is the most intriguing. The Falcons are 12-5, including their playoff victory over Seattle. They finished first in scoring and second in offense.
They scored at least 40 points five times, averaging 33.7 points in regular season. Counting the win over the Seahawks, the Falcons averaged 37.9 points in their victories.
Rodgers’ miracle
As great as Ryan has been — three TDs and no interceptions against the Seahawks — Rodgers has been even greater.
Rodgers was a miracle worker at the end of their incredible, 34-31 come-frombehind victory at Dallas.
The Packers have an eight-game winning streak. Rodgers has 24 touchdowns, one interception and a 117.9 rating. Not too shabby for a quarterback who was being criticized after a four-game losing streak that saddled Green Bay with a 4-6 record.
Then, Rodgers said, “I feel like we can run the table.” And they might. You just know that Fox, which televises Super Bowl LI, would love to have the Packers vs. the Patriots or Steelers.
Rodgers, who had 40 touchdown passes and seven interceptions in regular season, was asked this week if it was taboo to speak about the Super Bowl.
“How do you not think about it?” he said. “We’re 60 minutes away from being there again, so it’s, obviously, on our minds.”
The Falcons want to play in their second Super Bowl and win their first. They’re expected to lose offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to San Francisco, where he’s going to be named head coach shortly after their season ends.
Brady seeks fifth ring
In Foxborough, Brady wants to win to be in position to earn his fifth Super Bowl ring. Roethlisberger is looking for his third. Neither has excelled in the playoffs, certainly nothing like Rodgers and Ryan.
In their 34-16 victory over the Texans in a divisional game, Brady threw two interceptions, the same number as during the season.
In victories over Miami and Kansas City, Roethlisberger has two TD passes and three interceptions.
Both teams have terrific running games, especially Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell, who’s trying to reach triple digits for a third consecutive game.
With all due respect to every running back playing Sunday, fans won’t be tuning in to watch them as much as four extraordinary quarterbacks — three on their way to Canton and the other who’s going to be the league’s MVP.
What a day for football.