To Play for Bling

With four NFL teams remaining in the playoffs, confidence seems to lie on the ring fingers of its participants for all but one team that has no bling.

Defending a Dynasty The New England Patriots are coming off of a very successful seventeen years with six Super Bowl appearances of which they won four, making them the most winning team since 2000. Many claim that their winning seasons have come mostly from the head coach, general manager, and quarterback position. Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady has the fourth most passing touchdowns and yards of all time in the NFL. His pass accuracy, arm strength, and intelligence have led his team to wins no matter who else is on the field. His coach, Bill Belichick came to the Patriots the same year that Brady was drafted and together they have created what many consider to be the best play calling and executing offense in the NFL, today. Without Belichick, Brady would’ve never been drafted as Belichick serves as both the general manager and head coach for the team, meaning that he both drafted and coaches Brady. Though not as desperate for a Super-Bowl as today’s other three NFL finalists, the Patriots have a sort of winning edge that hasn’t let up for the past seventeen years and doesn’t plan to do so in this season. Historical Pride The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for having the most Super Bowl appearances of all time in the NFL. Unlike New England’s five and three record, the Steelers have a Super Bowl record of six wins and two losses, making them the most winning team in Super Bowl history. Though the Steelers lead the NFL in all time with six Super Bowl wins, they trail the Patriots in Super Bowl wins since 2000. Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was responsible for two of those wins and remains the team's starter this season. For the Steelers to live in the shadows of the Patriots’ recent successes seems absurd to most considering all of their postseason victories of the past. With this Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Patriots on the agenda, Pittsburgh fans will see if their old champions can redefine themselves with a win over New England. Playing on the Cusp The Green Bay Packers have only won one Super Bowl once since 2000 despite their immense talent on the offensive side of the ball. With one of the best quarterbacks in today's game, Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have come close to many Super Bowl appearances since 2005, and have fallen short in eleven out of twelve playoff appearances since 2000. This Sunday, the Packers will head to Atlanta to play for the NFC Championship versus the Falcons and as it would seem likely for them to advance, past mishaps may haunt the heads of fans and players for Green Bay. With a team as talented as this one, one Super Bowl just isn't enough to satisfy. Ringless The Atlanta Falcons are the only team of the final four in this year’s playoff to be without a Super Bowl win. Though they finished their 2011 regular season with a record of thirteen wins and just three losses, they were greatly upset by the Packers two rounds before the Super Bowl that many thought was theirs to win. After this year’s amazing performance from quarterback, Matt Ryan, the team looks to get revenge on the team that spoiled the end to a great 2011 season. A Super Bowl means everything to a ringless team and sweet revenge on Sunday just might get them there.

#SamBaker