Russell Wilson and the Seahawks look like a formidable foe in this year's NFL playoffs. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Is the NFC heading toward a conference championship game that will be the ultimate in payback? Don’t be shocked.
Certainly, the results of this weekend’s games were no surprise with the favorites in all four games not only winning, but covering. So, the fact that Seattle and Green Bay moved on can go in the expected category, even though we’ll never know the result of the final game of the weekend had Robert Griffin been healthy.
Next weekend, both Green Bay and Seattle go on the road to play San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively. Would it stun anyone if both the Packers and Seahawks won? Don’t think so.
If it happens, that would set up a conference title game in Lambeau Field featuring a rematch of the Sept. 24 Monday night game in Seattle that the replacement officials brazenly gave to the Seahawks. At least it resulted in the end of the lockout. The pregame hype would be non-stop.
There is a feeling of destiny that this is where it’s headed, with the Packers getting their revenge and winning the game that truly matters to move onto the Super Bowl.
A Green Bay-Denver game in New Orleans would be one for the ages, but it would also be a nice touch if Ray Lewis and the Ravens got that far. Speaking of nice touches, it was definitely fitting that Lewis played the final snap on offense Sunday so he could be on the field when the clock hit 0:00 for Baltimore’s win over Indianapolis.
The Colts were a great story this season, but very few noted their accomplishment was helped by having the third-easiest schedule in the NFL.
*Redskins tackle Trent Williams will likely be fined for shoving Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman in the face following Sunday’s game, but Sherman is certainly no angel. He was fortunate to be playing in the game because his potential suspension was reversed because his urine specimen was handled poorly.
Perhaps Sherman should show a tad more class than he did when waving goodbye to the Redskins players after the game. And, if there’s anyone out there that doesn’t think he did or said something that resulted in Williams’ reaction, raise your hand.
*Breaking news: Sources tell me it’s 100-percent certain Chip Kelly will be coaching somewhere in 2013. What a joke.
The reporting world was bad enough until Twitter came along. Now, many reporters for major networks don’t even care about the agenda that agents have when they leak “stories.” Don’t ask questions, just report. Gotta get it on Twitter as fast as possible. You’d think some would know better.
Andy Reid was a done deal with the Cardinals and Kelly was a done deal with the Browns. Sure was. Guess Phil Knight was more persuasive than Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner.
*Here are the names of those the Bears are considering to be their next head coach: Mike McCoy, Keith Armstrong, Mike Sullivan, Joe DeCamillas, Pete Carmichael, Bruce Arians, Tom Clements, Marc Trestman, Darrell Bevell. Did I miss any. Probably. General manager Phil Emery seems to toss out a new name every day. The question is: What are the odds that any of them will be better than Lovie Smith?
*San Diego is supposedly closing in on a new general manager (Tom Telesco?), while the Jets appear close to hiring 49ers personnel executive Tom Gamble. But, you won’t catch me saying it’s 95-percent done. Meanwhile, Rex Ryan is vacationing in the Bahamas, showing off a tattoo on his arm that features his wife wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey. Ryan’s press conference Tuesday should be an all-timer.
New York Daily News columnist Bob Raissman wrote that Tuesday’s presser “will make Tim Tebow’s introductory press conference look like a high school play.” Of Ryan, he wrote, “His persona has fallen off the cliff. Incredibly, he has gone from wisecracking windbag to fumfering nebbish, one with no answers. You don’t walk into the biggest press conference of your life playing the role of Flounder in Animal house, but this is where Ryan is.”
Roll, cameras.
