NFL Playoffs - Championship

It’s championship weekend in the NFL. Hopefully this Sunday we get two, good, watchable football games. I’m not saying these playoffs haven’t been interesting. But if we were to equate this year’s playoffs with late night talk shows, these games would be the Last Call with Carson Daly of playoffs. Honestly, we’ve had 6 blowouts that were more painful than any you’ll find on “Jersey Shore” (side note: there’s a pretty funny youtube video from Sara Bareilles, the girl who sang the song “Love Song”, about that show, and I actually gained a lot of respect for her from watching it. If these games suck, you might want to check it out...); 1 sloppy defensive mess that purists (and Jets fans) will argue was a great defensive game, but in actuality was just a horribly played football game with stupid penalties, bad officiating, bad kicking, and bonehead quarterback play on both sides; and 1 offensive shootout which I personally enjoyed, but think I might have been the only one who watched without a rooting interest because it was between the Packers and Cardinals. Anyways, here’s hoping that these two games will be better. I feel like they will be. Because these games are so big, I’m telling you who the pressure’s on for BOTH TEAMS. I am the man.

AFC Championship Game

Sun 3:00

Jets (5) at Colts (1)

Background – The Indianapolis Colts had the chance to not have to worry about the Jets a month ago. Instead they felt that staying healthy was more important. Now, they have to face the monster they in a sense created in the New York Jets. Peyton Manning did not have a great game back in December but certainly didn’t have a bad one either. Something else that’s interesting about this game: No matter who wins, a rookie head coach will be in the Super Bowl. This speaks highly of what both coaches, Rex Ryan and Jim Caldwell, have been able to do this year. But could these two guys be any different? Love him or hate him, Ryan is a character, but I don’t think I’ve heard Caldwell speak. And if I did, I’m not sure it wasn’t just Manning doing a ventriloquist routine.

Pressure’s On:

Jets – MARK SANCHEZ. Before you say “well that’s obvious”, keep in mind that this is really the first week in the playoffs where the pressure is going to be on him the most. While you can run on the Colts, everyone knows you need to be able to score to beat Peyton Manning. He doesn’t have to out play Manning, but he has to be able to make plays. He has to convert 3rd and 7’s. He has to test the Colts’ secondary from time to time. He has to not get distracted by fans like these:

Colts – DALLAS CLARK. Reggie Wayne is going to be on an island of some sort that I’ve been hearing about from people around here who recently discovered that New York has another football team, so Clark must pick up some of the slack. Antonio Gates was able to make some plays against the Jets’ linebackers, so I expect Clark to be able to as well. Also, some pressure HAS to be on Matt Stover. Opposing kickers are 0/5 on field goal attempts against the Jets in the playoffs.

Prediction – The Colts are good. They won 22 straight regular season games before losing to the Jets and Bills in which starters were pulled, and then beat the Ravens last week. If there was any rust, they shook it off last week. But there is just something about this Jets team. They can shut down the other team’s best weapon and force other players to beat them. They can run the ball better than any team in the playoffs and can stop the run too. They have the best defense in the playoffs. They simplify their offense well for their young QB. And most importantly, they find ways to win the close games. It just seems like their year, doesn’t it? But wait a minute. Don’t the Colts win close games too? (5 in a row at one point when trailing at the start of the 4th quarter) Don’t the Colts barely run the ball anyway? Isn’t Peyton Manning one of the few QB’s who is smart enough to confuse Darrelle Revis? Haven’t players like Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie stepped up and made plays all year? How can somebody pick against the Colts? So, am I dumb enough to pick against Peyton Manning with the game on the line? Almost. But not quite. COLTS: 17, JETS: 16.


NFC Championship

Vikings (2) at Saints (1)

Sun 6:45

Background – It seemed inevitable that this would be the matchup for the NFC crown for a long time now, and here it is. The high-octane offense of the Saints versus the equally potent Vikings offense and their fierce pass rush. The Saints looked like they were rested and not rusty in their 45-14 win over Arizona last week, while the Vikings made mince meat of the Cowboys 35-3. Both of these offenses can score, so it may come down to who has the ball last. Percy Harvin is expected to play, which gives the Vikings another weapon that they will need to keep toe to toe with the Saints, where Drew Brees could turn you and me into weapons.

Pressure’s On:

Vikings – SECONDARY. Eventually, in order to win they are going to need to make plays and force turnovers. Brees spreads the ball around better than anyone in the game, so they are going to have to play the game of their lives to keep the Vikings within distance. Also, it is imperative for the Vikings’ offensive line to protect Favre, so the gunslinger can gunsling.

Saints – PASS RUSH. The Vikings can score, too. But the way to beat the Vikings’ offense is to get at Favre and make him make bad decisions. Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove, and Charles Grant must get a couple of sacks and hurries or this game is going to break the Packers/Cardinals’ points record.

Prediction: I honestly think that this game is going to be a similar shootout to the Pack/Cards game. Brett Favre on one side. Drew Brees on the other. I don’t care if defense wins championships, because offense sells tickets. And as a fan without a rooting interest, you can bet I’m more than looking forward to this one. So how does one pick this game? The Vikings have the better defense, but that didn’t matter in the Pack/Cards game as GB had a better defense but ultimately lost. So you have to go with which QB is more likely to make that costly mistake. I know Brett Favre has thrown less interceptions this year than Brees, but I can just foresee Favre throwing one into the arms of Roman Harper or Darren Sharper in the 4th quarter and the sea of Gold and Black erupting. It should be close, and it should be fun to watch, but ultimately I’m going: SAINTS: 33, VIKINGS: 24.