What are your predictions for who's gonna be in the conference championship games?

I like Pittsburgh and Oakland in the AFC.

I like St. Louis and Green Bay in the NFC.

I think Oakland would prevail over Pittsburgh, especially if Bettis isn't 100%.

The G.B./St.L matchup would be a good one if G.B. is healthy. I think they're pretty banged up though. Otherwise St. Loius will win easily.

S.F. won't do anything b/c their D sucks.

Philly and Chicago could challenge, but only if Philly starts generating some O and Anthony Thomas is 100% for Chicago.

Who knows who the 6th team will be in the NFC.

Miami's way too streaky and we all know their PO history; what, like 181-35 in their 5 last playoff games or something like that. I can see the Jets doing OK and possibly challenging. Baltimore's not that great when they have a schedule it seems and their O gives the ball away too much in critical situations.

I'll rank the AFC chances as such:

Oakland
Pittsburgh
Jets
N.E.
Baltimore
Miami

NFC:

St. Louis
Green Bay
Philly
Chicago
T.B.
S.F. (No D)

[iceblizzard69]

Miami vs. Pittsburgh in the AFC
St. Louis vs. Chicago (after they win in the second round with a touchdown with 3 seconds left) in the NFC

[TacklingDummyRJ]

AFC: Surprise pick, New England (if they make the playoffs) and Oakland.

NFC St Louis & San Fran

Super Bowl

San Fran and Oakland.

S.F. w/ a weak D?

[TacklingDummyRJ]

Offense wins championships. Their defense looked pretty good against Buffalo.:p

[McBill]

I still remember Wy's comments that noone with less than a #12 D or better ever won the SB - I never knew that when I read that - so, I'll go with the strong D teams!

I'll take Pittsburgh over Oakland because it makes the Bills look better ( we had to play the Steelers ) and because I like that D - I just think they're tougher than Oakland.

I see the Bears bringing it on in the playoffs and heading to the SB!

McBill

:cool:

[MVDaBomb]

I don't like anybody in the AFC.

Pittsburgh - the 90's Chiefs all over again. Waiting for the other team to screw up and not making plays in the passing game generally doesn't work in the playoffs despite occasional exceptions. Not ready to jump on the Kordell bandwagon. Even in his one "good year" of '97 he came up small at home vs. Denver. They're also last in the NFL in redzone efficiency.
Miami - a lot like Pittsburgh only their D isn't as good and their running game stinks. Fiedler isn't THAT bad. He can win games with a solid running game, he can win games without a solid running game against bad teams, he cannot win games without a running game against good teams. One road playoff win in the last 30 years against a lousy '99 Seattle team doesn't help their chances either if they don't get home field.
Oakland - Plenty of firepower, good coaching, but questionable front 7 and safties.

These 3 teams lead their divisions? As Jim Rome says, this is mediocrity, not parity.
As far as "lacking glaring weaknesses" are concerned, I think the Jets&Patriots are the 2 most complete teams.
Patriots - look at their schedule. They may very well run the table. But I have my doubts about Tom Brady and Antowain Smith in the playoffs.
Jets - solid front 7, good secondary, excellent OL&RB's, pretty good WR's; and yet it's hard not to get the feeling that they'll get bounced in the 1st round because well, they're the Jets. Step it up Vinny - the ball is in your court. They might be the best example in the league of the "give them a QB and they can win a SB" motto.

I'll say Jets@Raiders for the title game.

NFC - Unless Warner or Faulk get injured, its the Rams to lose.
Bucs - overrated defense, lousy offense when it matters.
49ers - Too young, not enough D.
Bears - This team would have a real shot if they still had Marcus Robinson. Without him, I just don't think they can score enough.
GB - The Jets of the NFC, except they have a QB. Seem to have all the pieces, but they find a way to look unimpressive
Philly - While McNabb is overrated, I think they would have the best chance to beat the Rams head-to-head because of their pass D.

Title game - not exactly going out on a limb - GB @ St. Louis