Annually, the NFL conference championship games are one of the most anticipated sports weekends of the calendar year. We often see the highest level of football performed.
We will see both NFL conferences’ No. 1 seeds in the championship games for the first time since 2004. What is unique now is that there is no consensus and split opinions on which teams will win this weekend.
Usually, the two home teams with higher seeds are strongly favored. While one can make a logical argument why the Colts are or should be heavy favorites, a Jets loss is no guarantee either.
So far, the old theory that a team has to be hot going into the playoffs has been proven wrong, as exemplified by the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings.
These three squads benefited from an extra week of rest. The Colts and Saints also benefited from resting their starters towards the end of the regular season.
While home field advantage and rest are helpful, the actual preparation and practices prepares a team the most to hopefully outperform the opponent in the playoff game.
The home team has won 31 AFL/AFC championship games, lost 18. The New York Jests versus the Indianapolis Colts meet for number 50.
For the first time in NFL history, this year’s AFC title game features two rookie head coaches. But it also contrasts a very seasoned quarterback in his prime versus a rookie quarterback who manages a run-oriented offense.
This game is virtually a chess game matchup between Peyton Manning and Rex Ryan.
Peyton Manning will vary little form his game plan from last week, as the Baltimore Ravens came at him from all sides and the Colts were ready. The Jets will do the same and he will be prepared again.
Over the Jets' last eight games, only the Colts have scored more than 14 points against them, and the starters were only in for half the game. The Jets defense is paired by the leagues No.1 ranked rushing attack.
As good as the Jets defenses is playing, Manning and his offense will move the football. Peyton is 4-1 versus Rex Ryan’s defense and the one loss was the last matchup, in which the Colts rested their starters in the second half.
The Jets rely upon and play a lot of man-to-man pass coverage along with blitz packages, which plays into Manning’s hands.
An overlook component of this game may be Indy’s defense. The Colts’ defense relies on speed, crucial to shutting down the outside runs and getting pressure on the quarterback.
The Colts will most likely stack the line of scrimmage in an attempt to stop the run and force the rookie quarterback to beat them. Quarterback play will be the difference in this game as Manning magically will get the job done, although the NYJ defense will hassle him all game.
Was it a mistake when the then 14-0 Colts decided not to try for a perfect season and rested their starters in the second half against the Jets? A 15-10 Colts lead turned into a 29-15 Jets win, which helped put the Jets in the playoffs. I
Should the Colts have eliminated New York when it had the chance? The Colts have been to three Super Bowls, all in Miami. Indy will make a fourth trip to south Florida and get a victory in a rematch of Super Bowl III - Colts 23, Jets 17.
Although I pick Indianapolis to win and I like and respect Peyton Manning and his talent, I disrespect the Colts for disrespecting NFL history when they chose not to chase a perfect season. Thus, a Jets upset would be both poetic justice and high irony.
In the NFC championship game, the amount of time that each quarterback will have to pass will be a significant factor. Both the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings will run the ball often enough to check off the opposition’s defense’s pass rush.
I expect another offensive and aerial juggernaut. Drew Brees led and helped his team score the most points in the NFL this season. Guess who is No. 2? You guessed it – Brett Favre and his Vikings.
Nevertheless, Brees' impressive season seems to have been overshadowed by Favre, who finished with 33 touchdowns after opting to come out of retirement and join Minnesota (13-4).
Both Brees and Favre have plenty of talent around them. Marques Colston and Robert Meachem each had nine touchdown receptions for New Orleans, and Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush all scored at least five rushing touchdowns.
Bush was a major impact last week with a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score.
Rice's three touchdown catches last week tied an NFL postseason record, and he finished with six receptions for 141 yards.
Besides Sidney Rice, Favre can turn to weapons such as Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and Visanthe Shiancoe. Both the Vikings and the Saints have excellent offenses who will light up the Superdome scoreboard.
The Vikings have a better defense while the Saints’ defense features a playmaker, Darren Sharper. Brett Favre will play well and courageously, but at times will be frustrated by the Saints’ defensive pressure.
I expect big plays from both special teams, especially by the kickoff and punt return teams.
The very, very loud noise by the 12th man in the Superdome will cause enough significant false starts by the Minnesota offense. In contrast, the home crowd will allow New Orleans’ offense to hear their play caller's signals.
The Superdome was the scene where Favre won his solo Super Bowl 13 years ago. Brett is a native of nearby Kiln, Mississippi.
This will be Favre's first road playoff game in six years. The Vikings went 9-0 at home compared to a 4-4 road mark.
Brett Favre came back to the league to do one thing: to get back to the Super Bowl. Minnesota has won four straight over New Orleans, averaging 33.3 points; make that five consecutive – Vikings 41, Saints 34.
Who dat? Who dey? I struggled with this NFC title game pick because the Saints are at home and back in September 2002 I predicted that New Orleans Saints would finally make a Super Bowl appearance.
Will we then witness a Colts-Vikings Super Bowl featuring a Peyton Manning-Brett Favre matchup? Stay tuned.
Quote of the Day:
It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.
--Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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