NHL ESPN Power Rankings vs. My Top 5

http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings

What are your thoughts on the ranking so far?

In the East Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston look great.  Detroit and Vancouver are the class of the West.  Teams in both conferences that I wouldn't sleep on are the defending Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, and the Montreal Canadiens.  One last team further back in the rankings to keep an eye on is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are a dangerous team and have been known to make long playoff runs from lower seeds.

My Top 5

1. Philadelphia Flyers
   ---This team is on fire and may be the deepest team in the league.  This year they have finally seemed to      solve their goaltending woes.  They will challenge for the top seed in the East with Pittsburgh and be a top contender in the East for their second straight Cup Final Appearance.

2. Detroit Red Wings
   ---Still playing well with injuries.  At full strength this team is always dangerous.  I expect a long playoff run from them.  Pavel Datsyuk's return will give life to an already striving team.

3. Pittsburgh Penquins
   ---The hottest player this season has been Sidney Crosby.  The best player in the league this season has been Sidney Crosby.  Sidney Crosby has missed the last 6 games.  The Pens are still 3-2-1 without him.  Look for Pittsburgh to challenge Philadelphia for the top spot in the East when Crosby returns.

4. Vancouver Canucks
   ---The Sedin brothers are a deadly combination and a handful for even the best defensive minded teams to stop.  With Ryan Kesler having a career year this team looks to finally make a long playoff run.  Don't be surprised if they represent the West in the Stanley Cup Finals.

5. Washington Capitals
   ---Lost 5 of last 7 games but still sit only 1 point behind Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division standings.  This team is still in good position with their best player having a sub par season by his standards.  Look for Ovechkin to get hot and lead the Capitals to a Division Title and top 3 seed in the Conference.

Don't Agree with Me?  Let me know.  Post your own Top 5.

NFL Final Four - Predictions Included

NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears - Sunday 3 PM EST
AFC Champiosnhip - New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday 6:30 PM EST

How'd they get to their respective championships?

Green Bay went on the road to Philadelphia Wildcard Weekend and then went to Atlanta, where the Falcons have been unstoppable lately, and won impressively. 

Chicago received a bye Wildcard Weekend and then went played host to the surprising Seattle Seahawks.  Seattle was no match for Chicago's defense falling 35-24

NYJ beat the Indianapolis Colts 17-16 on a 32 yd FG by Nick Folk as time expired.  They followed up this impressive win by beating the heavily favored New England Patriots on the road 28-21.

Pittsburgh received a bye Wildcard Weekend.  They then erased a 21-7 deficit at home against the Baltimore Ravens to win 31-24.

In each conference we see the #2 seeded teams hosting the #6 seeded teams.

My Predictions

Green Bay over Chicago...20-17
NYJ over Pittsburgh...24-17

Disagree? Tell me what you think. 

I went 0-2 last predictions. We'll see how I do Sunday.

Jets Win

Jets will head to Pittsburgh next week and face the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.

This victory is a huge surprise for many.

More Updates and Opinions will follow tomorrow on both NFL games today.

WOW! New York Jets Lead Fighting Tom Bradys 14-3 at Half

Who saw this coming?

The New York Jets are putting up more than just a fight against the New England Patriots.  They are backing up all the chatter that made headlines the past week.

Despite their current deficit, New England should still be the favorite to win this game.  Look for Tom Brady to throw for 175 yards and at least 2 TDs during the second half.  I also like Danny Woodhead to find the end zone.

Speaking of Danny Woodhead...

I mean Danny WoodCock...

Jets halting New England's Prolific Offense So far

New York Jets are leading the New England Patriots 7-3 with 4 minutes left in the second quarter.

Tom Brady has yet to lead the Patriots into the end zone.  However, it is not if Brady will get the Patriots rolling, it is when.  Look for the Patriots to put more points on the board before half.

The Jets lined up in the wildcat a couple times this half.  With a decent QB behind center this is completely unnecessary.  They are very lucky Tomlinson's fumble was not recovered by the Patriots.

The winner will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

Bears to host Green Bay in NFC Championship Game

The Chicago Bears have defeated the Seattle Seahawks 35-24.

Chicago will host the NFC Championship Game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Up next: New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Bears Routing Seahawks at Half

The Chicago Bears take a 21-0 lead into half.

Greg Olsen is having a career game with 113 yards and a TD in the first half.

Seattle will have to get its offense going in the second half to have a chance for a come back. They only have 5 first downs and 98 total yards.  Chicago has 11 first down and 238 total yards.

The winner of this game will face Green Bay in the NFC Championship game.

Bears Strike First

The Chicago Bears lead the Seattle Seahawks 7-0 behind a 58 yard TD pass to TE Greg Olsen by QB Jay Cutler.

Game still in its beginning stages.

Look for the Seahawks to regroup and try to get past this stingy Bear defense.

NFL Playoffs

Some big games this weekend.

Pittsburgh rallies past Baltimore for a 31-24 victory.
Green Bay goes into Atlanta and leaves with a 48-21 blowout victory.

Two more big games today.

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears
New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Predictions:

Seahawks over Bears...27-23
Patriots over Jets...31-17

Don't Agree? Let me know.