Bill Romanowski, four-time Super Bowl winner, is pounding a smoothie as we begin our conversation. The former linebacker has a few things to say about preparing for the biggest game of the season.

We are now eight days away from the Super Bowl. And while we could pay homage to the No. 8 worn by three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman (the best quarterback of the 1990s), we instead shall honor legendary Jerry Rice, who had eight career touchdown receptions in the Super Bowl.

We have yet another child crying on the Internet because their favorite NFL team went down in defeat. This time, it’s young Johnny, who’s shattered over the 49ers’ demise.

49ers punter Andy Lee put it best when he said, “There must be something in the water” in the Bay Area. That’s the only explanation as to why, for likely the first time ever, the kicking units for the NFC and AFC each come from two teams from one area: 49ers and Raiders.

When you look at the tape, the Patriots and Giants walked away conference champions for reasons that spanned the length of the game. And the Ravens and 49ers exited stage right for just as many reasons.

Bay Area rap artists are now 2-for-2on the season when it comes to 49ers-inspired tracks.

“Playbook” analysts Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Brian Billick make their picks for the conference championship games.

When the Giants and 49ers earned their way into the NFC Championship Game, they had won their games on the scoreboard – and one particular area of the field.

Four divisional playoff games this weekend to break down. Let’s get right to it.

The No. 3 seeds (Houston and San Francisco) are feeling pretty good about themselves after big wins in the Wild Card round. What kind of obstacles will they face this week?

The last thing Jim Harbaugh could’ve imagined happening in his first season as 49ers head coach was that he’d be sampled in a rap song. Thanks to Bay Area rapper Bailey, though, it has happened.

In a game featuring two top-notch defenses, the fate of the Steelers and 49ers might rest upon the two signal callers who have to stare back at them.

While Alex Smith owns one of the league’s top quarterback ratings versus the blitz (behind only Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady with a 114.1), the Cardinals found a way to pressure the 49ers quarterback in their 21-19 win on Sunday.

With four weeks left in the season, there are still six division crowns and 10 total playoff spots up for grabs. Congratulations to the Packers and 49ers, who have clinched the NFC North and West, respectively. Meanwhile, here’s a look at what can happen this week.

As fantasy leagues head into the playoffs, Jason Smith looks at garbage points — those points that come late in lopsided games — and how useful they can be in the pursuit of a fantasy championship.