Packers and Steelers earn their tickets to Dallas

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  Last night saw the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers  seal their places in Super Bowl 46. It was far from easy for both teams, but their impressive defence was enough to see them through.

NFC Championship game

It was a match that saw a 90 year old rivalry continue, Packer vs Bears was not to be missed. Packers received the ball and they drew first blood.

The opening drive took Green Bay into the end zone, Quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran it in from one yard. The Packers had a lot of success to Greg Jennings, who finished the game with eight receptions and 130 receiving yards.

The second touchdown came in the second quarter with rookie Starks running in from four yards. 14-0 at half-time, but the score did not reflect Green Bay's dominant performance. This made the second half much more interesting.

What the Bears did not want is their Quarterback Jay Cutler to get injured, however this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Todd Collins came in,  but not for long and was replaced by third string Caleb Hanie.

The Bears did not score until the fourth quarter and with that the momentum shifted, Chicago looked the more likely to score the next touchdown. 14-7 Green Bay looked like they were going to be made to rue missed opportunities.

However the Packers were gifted their next touchdown as Hanie was intercepted by BJ "the Freezer" Raji, who completed the touchdown. With the Green Bay offence struggling, the defence had to step up and they did so perfectly.

Green Bay, however, became complacent. Almost immediately after Chicago scored the first passing touchdown of the match ironically from the third string Caleb Hanie. Short pass to Bennett for 35 yards and the touchdown.

21-14 and a very nervous finish to the game for the Packers. Again it was down to the defence to keep Chicago out and for the third time in four matches Green Bay win the match with an interception. Again showing the defences ability to step up when it really matters.

So game over, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers reach the Super Bowl, showing that they have moved on from Brett Favre. Most of all that Rodgers is the leader of this team.

AFC Championship game

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In the AFC Ben Roethlisberger reached his third Super Bowl as the Pittsburgh Steelers survived a second half come back from the New York Jets.

If you wanted to define the cliche 'a game of two halves' you would just need to point out this match as a prime example. The Steelers dominated the first.

Like the Packers, Pittsburgh scored with their opening drive but like always running down more time on the clock. Nine minutes was the time elapsed when the Steelers scored the opening touchdown. Judging by just that drive it already looked like a tough night for the Jets.

New York couldn't find their rhythm, which is credit to the steel curtain for Pittsburgh. The next score was only a field goal for the Steelers, however unlike the Jets they looked like scoring on every possession.

The next touchdown came from some improvisation from Roethlisberger who ran in from two yards, 17-0. Just 47 seconds later the Steelers' defence continued to assert their dominance and forced a fumble from Sanchez, which was recovered by William Gay who scored the touchdown. 24-0 and it looked game over.

What changed the outlook of the game for the second half was New York Jets being allowed good field position and converting the field goal. 24-3 going into half time, but there was a slight wind beneath the Jets' wings.

If New York were going to turn this game around they needed a big play early, and Sanchez delivered. A bomb down field to Holmes for a 45 yard touch down, 24-10 game on?

Pittsburgh's defence were keeping the Jets out, a battle on the edge of the end zone was won by the Steelers. This could have meant the game being all over for the Jets but the Pittsburgh offence continued to struggle. A simple snap was too much to handle at this time and Roethlisberger fumbled and was tackled in the end zone for a safety.

The next drive was critical for New York if they were going to complete the comeback, and not even the steel curtain could stop them on this drive. Jets were down to the red zone and a simple pass from Sanchez to Cotchery was all that was needed. Pittsburgh needed to get going on the offence.

The success to seal the game was down to some great scrambling from the Steelers' Quarterback with a big play on two minutes to go. Short pass to Antonio Brown who pushed out of bounds after a gain of 14 yards. A couple of kneels and game over.

Heart break for the New York Jets who tried their best to recover, but it wasn't enough. Like the Green Bay Packers, the Pittburgh Steelers' defence stepped up when it mattered.