This past weekend were the conference championships in the NFL playoffs. And unfortunately both games were far less than competitive, which is putting it lightly.

In the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons totally, and completely dominated the Green Bay Packers from the start. The Packers couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t stop the pass, and the Falcon defense made Aaron Rodgers look human for the first time in 8 weeks.

Hard to believe this was the same Packer offense that has been unstoppable for the better part of 8 weeks, including last week’s dramatic late drive in Dallas to advance to the NFC title game.

The ATL was on fire as Matt Ryan and the Falcons closed out the Georgia Dome in style, while Julio Jones cemented himself as the best receiver in the NFL. It was like watching a man play against boys as he run rough-shod through the Packer secondary. The final score was 44-21, and it really wasn’t even that close. This will be the 2nd Super Bowl appearance in Falcon history.

The AFC contest between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers was not much different. It was billed as Big Ben vs. Tom Terrific, but it was all Tom Terrific.

Brady was masterful in carving up the Steelers’ secondary. The Steelers could get no pressure on Brady and somehow no one was guarding Patriot wide receiver Chris Hogan. He was open ALL NIGHT! He looked like the 2nd coming of Steve Largent.

To add insult to injury, no pun intended, Steelers running back, Le’Veon Bell left the game in the 2nd quarter with a groin injury and was not able to return. While they have a capable back up in D’Angelo Williams, Bell is the engine that makes them go, and takes the pressure off of the passing game.

Without Bell, and with no playmakers on defense, the Steelers folded like cheap patio furniture.

So it’s the Pats vs. the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. On paper, this should be a great game, but very few Super Bowls have lived up to the hype. Will this be different?  Brady and Bellichick are going for title #5, while Atlanta is looking for their first. This could cement Tom Brady’s claim as the best ever, or could establish Matt Ryan as an elite NFL QB. All eyes will be on H-town in 2 weeks to see how it all shakes out.