The NFC gets the NFL playoff action started on Sunday as the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers hit the field in the NFC Championship. Like the AFC Championship, the NFC side of the bracket pits a two-seed against a six-seed — a road-warrior against a team that hasn’t had to leave home. The Bears and Packers hit the field for a spot in the Super Bowl on Sunday in Chicago.
Here’s the full schedule, including announcers and a quick preview of each team.
Sunday, Jan. 23
NFC Championship: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field, noon on Fox.
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Chris Meyers and Pam Oliver
Odds: Packers by 3.5 or 4 points, depending on where you look.
The Bears had about the easiest road a team could have in the playoffs. As the second-seed, Chicago had a bye in the first round before hosting the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. The Bears took care of business against the Seahawks, dropping the NFC West champions, 35-24.
The Packers have looked like the best team in the playoffs thus far, doing their work on the road in each of the first two rounds. In the wildcard round, Green Bay took care of the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-16. In the divisional round, the Packers put on a show, heading to the Georgia Dome and manhandling the Atlanta Falcons, 48-21. Aaron Rodgers was dominant, completing 31-36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
As NFC North mates, the Packers and Bears are very familiar with each other. The two have faced off twice in 2010, splitting the season series in two close games. In week three it was the Bears coming out on top at home in a 20-17 win. The Packers returned the favor in week 17, beating the Bears at Lambeau Field, 10-7. Expect another close, hard-fought battle in the NFC Championship.
The action begins this Sunday at noon on Fox. For more on the game, check out SB Nation’s NFC Championship StoryStream.