Desmond Bishop of the Green Bay Packers tackles Brad Smith...

Desmond Bishop of the Green Bay Packers tackles Brad Smith of the New York Jets at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday. (Oct. 31, 2010) Credit: Newsday / David Pokress

The NFL’s Final Four have one major commonality: great defenses. 

The four remaining teams rank in the top six in points allowed per game. Pittsburgh is No. 1 with 14.5 points, followed by Green Bay (15, No. 2), Chicago (17.9, No. 4) and the Jets (19, No. 6).

Enjoy the games everyone. Jets linebacker Bart Scott said it best: “Can’t wait!”

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
JETS (13-5) at STEELERS (13-4)

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2
Over/Under: 38 1/2
TV-Radio: Ch. 2, ESPN (1050), 6:30 p.m.

I didn’t realize Valentine's Day came a month early this year . . . and lasted an entire week! It’s been an absolute lovefest between the Jets and Steelers, much to my disappointment. I miss the brash-talking Jets who have backed up their talk the last two weeks. So let me get this straight — you can call out Peyton Manning and Tom Brady (and confuse the heck out of ’em on the field), but leave the Black & Gold alone? Hmmm.

Rex Ryan has dialed up two of the best back-to-back defensive game plans in recent memory against the Colts and Pats. I think they attack Big Ben and a much-banged up Steelers O-line. Also keep an eye on the Jets’ No. 4 rushing attack (led by one of the NFL’s most underrated O-lines) vs. the Steelers’ top-ranked rushing defense.
I think the Jets, who grinded out a 22-17 win over the Steelers in Week 15, complete an insane road trifecta as the Jets (0-3) finally win an AFC Championship Game and reach the Super Bowl for the first time in more than 40 years. Dallas better be prepared because Rex & Co. are coming to party like it’s 1969!

The pick: Jets, 24-20.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
PACKERS (12-6) at BEARS (12-5)

Line: Packers by 3 1/2
Over/Under: 43 1/2
TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 3 p.m.

The longest-standing rivalry in NFL history celebrates its 182nd meeting. The two teams split the regular-season meetings, with Green Bay’s Week 17 win securing a playoff berth. Interestingly, this is just the second postseason game between the two storied franchises. Two weeks ago, I mentioned that a No. 6 seed from the NFC had never reached the Super Bowl. I believed the Packers would become the first, and still do now. Who do you trust more in a big spot, Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers?

The pick: Packers, 23-17.  

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