Citing a source familiar with the search process, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Sunday night that the Green Bay Packers will hire Dom Capers as their new defensive coordinator.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward left Sunday’s AFC Championship Game in the second quarter with a knee injury and didn’t return. After the game, Ward said it was “a little sprain” and that he wouldn’t miss Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1 in Tampa.

Ken Whisenhunt’s wish was granted Sunday. The Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, who spent six seasons as a Pittsburgh Steelers assistant, will face his former team Feb. 1 in Super Bowl XLIII.

Now that Baltimore has been eliminated from the playoffs, the clock starts on the New York Jets hiring Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan as their new head coach and the Cleveland Browns on hiring Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis as their general manager.

Before kickoff Sunday, many of the hundreds of writers at Heinz Field felt a bit envious about what they had just watched on the press-box televisions. “I hope our game is that exciting,” was the common refrain after the Cardinals’ nail-biting, 32-25 victory over the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. The sparks didn’t fly quite as much in the Steelers’ 23-14 victory over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, but these teams did what they usually do when they get together: They played a tight game dominated by defenses and vicious hits.

Thanks to Troy Polamalu‘s 40-yard interception return for a touchdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to their seventh Super Bowl.

The Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in the AFC Championship Game and will face the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 in Tampa. The Cardinals are first-time participants in the Super Bowl.

Ravens RB Willis McGahee was carted off the field late in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game after Pittsburgh Steelers S Ryan Clark hit him hard in the helmet. The Ravens said McGahee had “significant neck pain” but movement in his arms and legs. Clark also needed help from Steelers staffers to make it to the sideline.

NFL player correspondent Antwaan Randle El says Joe Flacco is obviously having a bad game, but he doesn’t believe it’s because the Ravens’ QB is a rookie or not a good player. Most every quarterback in the league would struggle right now against this Steelers defense. Each time Baltimore does one thing wrong (not picking up a blitz, not finding the open spot in a zone), Pittsburgh has made the Ravens pay.

NFL Network player correspondent Antwaan Randle El had more interesting observations at halftime of the AFC Championship Game. He believes that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s improvisation has been the difference in the game, and he likes how Limas Sweed bounced back after dropping an apparent touchdown pass.

Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald is on a playoff run that matches any other wide receiver in NFL playoff history.

The Miami Dolphins reached into the Great White North to sign Canada’s top available pass rusher. In the richest contract given to a Canadian Football League player jumping to the National Football League, the Dolphins signed DE Cameron Wake to a four-year deal that could be worth up to $4.9 million, including close to $1 million in guaranteed money, a league source said Sunday night.

While the Steelers’ offense is on the field, WR Hines Ward is strolling the sidelines with a black parka over his shoulders — not a good sign for Pittsburgh.

The AFC Championship Game is a defensive struggle, as expected. And that means quarterback play is even more crucial. I’m sitting next to NFL Network player correspondent Antwaan Randle El, who played in Pittsburgh from 2002 to 2005, and he believes the quarterback play is in favor of the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has looked a bit like a rookie.

Without a doubt, one number that will be made into a major storyline leading up to Super Bowl XLIII is 37. That will be Kurt Warner’s age on Super Bowl Sunday, making him the third-oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history.

NFL Championship Sunday has produced the first of two Super Bowl participants — the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals will make the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla.