Championship Games

If I had managed to post anything for the Divisional round, I would have picked all the home teams. And I would have gone 3-1. All I have to defend myself is a series of text messages that I sent my brother, so I think I'll just move on.

Onto this weekend's action...

Jets at Colts:

For the first time in a while, the AFC Championship game is the early game. I say "early" but it's being played at 3 p.m. Eastern, so what does early mean, really?

I think that's because the TV folks think that this is going to be a less entertaining game than the late game. They're probably right, because it's going to be lower scoring, but I don't think it's going to be less entertaining.

The Jets have the number one defense in terms of scoring defense, pass defense, and total yards. You know who else represented the AFC in the conference championship game with similar credentials in recent memory? That's right! It was your 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers. They had an historically great defense and moved past the hated Ravens to win the AFC and advance to Super Bowl XLIII (which we won, btw, in case I didn't mention that previously).

So... since the current Jets squad mirrors last year's Steelers and I picked the Colts to lose the AFC Championship game previously, that means that New York will win, right?

Well, no.

The Steelers beat the hated Ravens and Joe Flacco in the conference championship last year. The Jets face the Colts and Peyton Manning. Now, I understand if you hate his commercial success and the fact that, prior to 2006, he couldn't win the big game, but you have to admit that Manning is among the top five quarterbacks of all time. All year, he has been automatic in the two minute offense, leading Indianapolis to seven victories in the fourth quarter.

I think this will be a tight game. I think the Jets may lead in the fourth quarter. I think that the eight point line is ridiculous given the talent that New York has. But, I also think that Manning has the ball last. And, regardless of whether he's protecting a three point lead or trying to overcome a four point deficit, he gets the job done.

I mentioned in the NFC preview that the Vikings have the two most explosive players in the bracket. Well, Manning in the two minute offense is the single biggest weapon. And the Colts will use it. With the game on the line.

It will be close, it won't be pretty, but the Colts will make it rain.

Colts 20, Jets 17

Vikings at Saints:

It's true that the Vikings have the two most explosive players. It's true that Sidney Rice finally showed his tremendous potential against the Cowboys. It's true that they have a big time red zone threat in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. It's true that all-world pass rusher Jared Allen will face off against some dude named Jermon Bushrod.

Still... I made the prediction and I'll stick by it. The city of New Orleans has been through too much this century. They've been through too much in following their traditionally moribund franchise. The players and the fans understand that they need to win one game in the Superdome -- which only a few years back housed refugees that will be at the game -- to advance to the Super Bowl. The Superdome is an old-school, tight environment where the energy of the fans can influence and inspire the players.

Sean Payton has tricks up his sleeve that he hasn't even thought of yet. Drew Brees is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the league. They have their fair share of explosive players in Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Pierre Thomas.

They have enough on defense so long as the crowd stays behind them, they get off to a fast start, and my other prediction holds true.

The Saints can still win if they don't get off to a hot start so long as Brad Childress continues to yield to Brett Favre. The New Orleans run defense SUCKS. If the Vikings decide to pin their hopes to Adrian Peterson and the Saints don't get off to a fast start, then Peterson will take over the game -- and the crowd, which is a huge part of this game -- with hard runs and long gains.

The thing is that I don't think Chilly has it in him. I think he yields. I think the Saints start fast and finish with enough against an aging quarterback whose flesh is willing, but whose body is weak.

I know that both number one seeds haven't advanced to the Super Bowl since 1836, but I can't change the way I feel...

Saints 38, Vikings 27

Who would win a Saints-Colts Super Bowl? Well, you'll just have to wait and see.