The conference title games are this weekend and by this time on Monday media outlets will be well into analyzing the Super Bowl match up. Here are my picks for this weekends games starting with the NFC…
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
This is the toughest one to predict, its anyone’s game. Both teams are very similar. They have great quarterbacks, deep groups of receivers, both can run the ball when needed, and both have just enough defense. The Vikings have played HORRIBLE on the road the last half of the season and the Saints defense is excellent at disguising coverages and getting after the quarterback. The Saints are also playing at home in front of what will be a crazy crowd. Not to mention, a few of the Vikings starters on the defensive line are banged up and the last thing you want to do is give Drew Brees time to throw. I think its going to be a tight game and my man crush on Drew Brees may be getting the best of me here, but I think the Saints take it, 31-27.
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
While I am hopeful, its hard to see this one being close. The Colts had a game last week to shake off the bye week rust and I think Peyton will be sharp in this one. The Jets defense might tease us for a quarter or 2 but I see the Colts pulling away in the second half. Colts 24, Jets 9.
Although I am picking the Colts, I would like to make it known that I am really pulling for the Jets in this one. What the Colts did last time these two teams played was a disgrace and a giant middle finger to the integrity of the entire playoff system. If the Colts wanted to lay down against the Bills in week 17, that’s fine, that game meant nothing to either team. But the game against the Jets meant something, not only to the Jets, but to the 6 other teams that had 7-7 records at the time. Everything about what they did that game stunk. I hope the Jets can pull a miracle and end their season in fittingly ironic fashion.
Well swami jr. swami senior is going totally opposite of your picks while rooting for your outcomes because I really want to see Brees and the Saints take care of Manning and the Dolts in the SB.
I’m going with the old cliche that says defense wins championships. Both the Dolts and the Saints just don’t have one and have been dependent upon outscoring their opponents all year. Meanwhile the mighty Vikes and the Jets rough it up on D all game long.
While the pressure D’s that these two teams bring won’t effect Manning & Brees mentally it will disrupt the flow of their offenses enough to allow Favre and Sanchez to outscore them.
No score predictions here but I see 2 tight games unfortunately ending with a Vikes Jets SB in 2 weeks.
I agree with you that the Vikes could win. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if that happens, bother are good teams and both very similar in style and anything could happen. But I do think you are giving the Vikings D too much credit. They have had there fair share of struggles this year, especially on the road. They will be missing an all pro middle linebacker in EJ Henderson and starting a rookie 5th round draft pick in his place, half of the Williams wall and Ray Edwards (starting DE) are banged up and haven’t practiced all week, and may not play but will be playing hurt if they do, and remember what Jay Cutler and his group of all pro receivers (total sarcasm) did to that secondary in week 16? If they Vikings win it will be because of Favre and the offense (a little note, Percy Harvin hasn’t practiced all week), not the defense.
And I am with you on the Jets D, but Peyton Manning is going to put up at least 2 touchdowns, right? And I think playing at home with a lot to prove they will have no trouble clearing 20 points. Can the Jets offense put 20 on the scoreboard? They can run the ball but Sanchez was bad last week and I don’t think they can count on the run game to produce like it did last week. The Colts D is a lot better than you are giving them credit for and they know they have to make Sanchez beat them. Don’t get me wrong, I hope the Jets stick it to them in a serious way, but I just can’t see it happening. It may be close and it will come down to which QB will make the play when it counts. Would you have more faith in Manning or Sanchez to make that play. Gotta go with Manning, which means I have to go with the Colts.
I know, that’s 2 road wins in the conference championship games. Don’t know if that’s ever happened before but don’t be surprised if the Jets & Vikes pull it of.
I would love to see a Manning/Brees showdown. But I think only twice has both number one team advanced to the superbowl. I don’t think its happened since the early 90s…. maybe 93?
Manning and the Dolts take the Jets 27 – 17. Boo!
Favre and the Vikings win in a shoot out 34 – 31.
I am gonna be so pissed off, if all I hear all weekend is about how the NFL and Brett Favre are helping with the earthquakes in Haiti!!!!
My vote….
Captain down syndrome over dirty sanchez
and the media whore (that was a play on the #4, for those of you who didn’t get that) takes down King Katrina!
Good points all the way around and yes, I’d take Manning too over Sanchez with the game on the line. But there is a Ryan in charge of that Jets defense, as in Buddy’s son that’s why I said it will be a tight game and a Jets V.