Playoffs

A team with plenty of experience dealing with Washington Grizzly Stadium will be making a return trip to Missoula this Saturday in round one of the FCS playoffs.

The Missoula Osprey, headed to the Pioneer League playoffs by virtue of winning the first half of their season, have decided to cancel their fireworks show on Friday due to the wildfires in the area.

I know this has been debated over the years, but there has never been as much money in college sports as right now. For instance in 2010 the NCAA signed a 14 year deal with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting for $10.8 Billion. Just this season there will be $16 million made in rights agreements, ticket sales and merchandise...

The Chicago Bears dumped the Seattle Seahawks 35-24 this afternoon in Chicago for the right to host the NFC Championship game next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. In the AFC, the New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots 28-21, and will face the Steelers next Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Half of the teams are set for next weekend's AFC and NFC Championship games. The Pittsburgh Steelers came from behind to beat the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the AFC this afternoon. In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers dismantled the Atlanta Falcons 48-21. Tomorrow's games will cement the match-ups for the conference championships.

And then there were eight. Soon to be the final four of the 2011 NFL Playoffs. Fans in Atlanta, Chicago, New England, and Pittsburgh will be treated to exciting gridiron action today and tomorrow. The AFC game this afternoon has the Ravens in Pittsburgh. Tonight's NFC match-up brings the Packers to Atlanta.

This afternoon in the NFC Wildcard game, the Green Bay Packers never trailed in a game they finally won, dropping the Eagles in Philadelphia 21-16. Earlier in the day the Baltimore Ravens beat the Kansas City Chiefs 30-7. The Packers play at Atlanta next weekend.

The Baltimore Ravens have earned the right to advance in the NFL playoffs by defeating the Chiefs 30-7 in  this afternoon's AFC Wildcard match-up in Kansas City. This is Baltimore's third Wildcard win in as many years, and they have the best playoff road record since 1960. The Raven's will now face the Steelers next Saturday in Pittsburgh.

The New York Jets capped a game ending drive by nailing a field goal with no time left on the clock in Indianapolis to give the Jets a 17-16 Wildcard win over the Colts; finally giving head coach Rex Ryan his much sought win over quarterback Peyton Manning. The Jets will now face the New England Patriots next weekend in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The Seattle Seahawks have eliminated the New Orleans Saints on Wild Card Saturday with a 41-36 win this afternoon in Seattle. The Seahawks came in to the playoffs with the worst record (7-9) of any team ever qualifying for post-season NFL play. The Saints won it all last year and we’re heavily favored to win today.