Everyone knows the Super Bowl gets incredibly high ratings, regardless of who's playing. But the executives at FOX must be especially pleased with the potential matchups waiting in just over two weeks.
The New England Patriots could go for perfection, or Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, traded for each other four years ago, could face off. Here's a look at the likelihood of these scenarios, and what to expect Sunday in the conference championship games.
New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers: The Patriots are 14-point favorites in this game, and it's no surprise. They're the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season, and they set numerous NFL records such as Tom Brady's 50 passing touchdowns and Randy Moss' 23 touchdown catches.
The onslaught didn't stop in the divisional playoffs last week, as Brady went 26-for-28 on pass attempts, notching the best competition percentage ever in a playoff or regular season game with little help from Moss. They have a tremendous roster, and it's hard to imagine Bill Belichick getting outcoached by Norv Turner.
However, if anyone has a shot at derailing the Pats, it's the Chargers. They have a good defense, a talented offense and a grudge, as the Patriots ousted them in the divisional round of the playoffs last year.
The first concern for them has to be the health of their starters. Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson were injured last week against the Indianapolis Colts, while tight end Antonio Gates was hurt the week before. All three will most likely play Sunday, but at the moment, all three are listed as day-to-day.
With Tomlinson injured, Rivers may have to step up in the passing game despite his gimpy leg. Fortunately, the Chargers have receiving depth that they haven't had in years past with Chris Chambers and the emerging Vincent Jackson. Rivers showed marked improvement the past five weeks, but it remains to be seen how much his mobility will be hindered on Sunday.
On defense, linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips will have to get pressure on Brady and force him to make mistakes. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie is one of the most athletic players in the NFL and was not a starter the last time these two teams met. He will have to make some big plays to impede the Pats' machine-like offense.
New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers: This matchup seems to have a better chance of being competitive on Sunday. The teams met in Week 2 of the regular season, with the Packers winning in the Meadowlands 35-13. However, a great deal has changed with both teams since that meeting.
The Packers' offense looked impressive in their first game against the Giants, and since then, it's only gotten better. Brett Favre has been throwing the ball well and making smart decisions all year, utilizing four- and five-receiver sets to pick apart defenses. Their leaders are veteran Donald Driver and second-year man Greg Jennings. This passing offense is what guided the Packers to a 13-3 record.
However, the Packers also developed a running game in Week 8, when Ryan Grant became the starter. Grant has put up big numbers, rushing for 1,130 yards over 11 games. If Sunday's game becomes a smash-mouth running affair, the Packers know they're well-equipped.
For the Giants, even more has changed since Week 2. After allowing 80 points and totaling just two sacks in the first two games of the season, the defense has transformed. The Giants had 51 sacks in the 14 remaining weeks of the regular season and have been equally successful pressuring the quarterback in the playoffs. The Giants need their pass rush Sunday, especially with starting cornerbacks Sam Madison and Aaron Ross both questionable this week.
On offense, the biggest difference over the past three weeks has been Eli Manning. He's stopped making mistakes and has started to manage games, taking what the defense will give him. Manning has been standing tall in the pocket, pump-faking and spreading the ball around. Case in point, top wideout Plaxico Burress had just one reception for five yards last week.
One common factor in the past three games, however, has been good weather. The forecast for Sunday in Green Bay is four degrees Fahrenheit, with a 30 percent chance of precipitation.
Manning is notorious for struggling in bad weather, and this season has been no exception. In the eight games this year he's played in temperatures below 50 degrees or in precipitation, his quarterback rating was 63.0.
Eli has shown a great deal of maturation in the past few weeks, but this weekend might present the worst conditions he's ever seen. With Brett Favre, a master of cold temperatures, playing opposite him, Manning will have to prove something in order to pull out a 10th straight road victory for the Giants.
