NFL playoffs down to four teams
The National Football League divisional playoffs whittled the field down to four Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 to advance to the AFC championship game. In the NFC, Green Bay advanced by beating the Atlanta Falcons 48-21. On Sunday, the Chicago Bears punched their ticket to the NFC championship game by defeating the Seattle Seahawks 35-24, and in the AFC, the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 28-21 and will face off against the Steelers in the AFC championship.
While most saw the Steelers and Ravens game as a tossup, Pittsburgh got off to a sloppy start and was down 21-7 at halftime. The Steelers came back in the second half in what turned out to be a tale of two halves, outscoring the Ravens 24-3 in the second half to clinch one of the two AFC championship game spots.
In Saturday’s NFC game, the Falcons put the first points on the board, but it was the Packers’ dominating defense and opportunistic offense that seized the day. The Packers led 28-14 at halftime and outscored the Falcons 20-7 in the second half to punch their ticket to the NFC championship game.
In Sunday’s NFC matchup, Chicago’s defense shut down Seattle’s offense and Bears quarterback Jay Cutler won his first playoff game by running for two touchdowns and passing for two. Chicago will play host to Green Bay Sunday in the NFC title game.
With all the trash talking going on between the Jets and Patriots, it was put up or shut up for both teams. The Jets backed up their talk with a stifling defense and just enough offense to beat the Patriots and move on to Pittsburgh, where they will play Sunday for the AFC championship.
NHL All-Star twist
The National Hockey League is doing things a little differently this year for its All-Star game. This year, rather than go with the traditional East vs. West type game, the two team captains will choose their own teams from the list of 42 All-Star players.
On Tuesday, Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom were picked as team captains for the NHL All-Star Game.
The two teams will be named for their captains, Team Staal and Team Lidstrom. The two will alternate picking their teams through 18 rounds. Each team will have three goalies, six defensemen and 12 forwards. All-Star weekend is set for Jan. 28-30 in Raleigh, N.C.
2011 NASCAR Challenge
NASCAR season is right around the corner and The Bayonet is looking for fans to be a part of this year’s game.
There are only a few spots open, so if you think you have what it takes — get in the Chase.
For consideration to become a contestant, e-mail john.peeler@thebayonet.com by Feb. 11.
