What we have learned

Individual statistics have a weird way of telling the story of a game.

Quarterback Caleb Hanie of the Chicago Bears and quarterback Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets are not exactly your typical household names, yet they recently turned in quality performances.

Before the National Football Conference Championship Game, Caleb Hanie had only attempted 14 passes in his two NFL seasons. After quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a sprained MCL and Cutler's backup Todd Collins was removed by the Chicago coaching staff, Hanie came off  the bench to go 13-for-20 for 153 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Despite throwing two costly interceptions in the Bears 21-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Hanie was accurate and helped spark the Chicago offense in the second half.

Though Mark Sanchez is a more accomplished NFL quarterback than Hanie, his performance against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was still remarkable. Sanchez completed 20 of 33 passes for 233 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 24-19 loss to the Steelers. What made the performance even more impressive was the fact that the Jets scored 19 unanswered points against a Pittsburgh defense that allowed the fewest points-per-game of any team in the regular season.

On the other sidelines were quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers of the Green Packers and Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger has enjoyed postseason success throughout his career, and Rodgers is learning what that success is asfter getting his first taste of postseason glory this season.

Rodgers, who has had a remarkable run through his first three postseason games (10 touchdowns, 1 interception), struggled against the Bears' defense in the NFC Championship Game. Rodgers completed 17 of 30 passes with no touchdowns and two interceptions.  Statistically, Rodgers was the most inaccurate he has ever been in four postseason games.

Roethlisberger has led two Super Bowl-winning teams, and owned a postseason record of nine wins and two losses going in to the American Football Conference Championship Game. However, Roethlisberger struggled, completing only 10 of 19 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Like Rodgers, Roethlisberger played inconsistently throughout the night.

There is only one stat in the NFL that an entire team contributes to, and that is a win.

Despite what the individual quarterback statistics may say, the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to play in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6.