Sunday Predictions

This weekend's conference championship games will set up what should be a great and perhaps surprising Super Bowl matchup for Feb. 7th. In the AFC, top seed Indianapolis Colts hosts the lowest seed New York Jets. In the NFC, it's the battle of number one and two with the New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings. Below are my pre-game analysis and predictions. Chances are that I'm off, just hopefully only by a little. Haha....here goes.

AFC Championship
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

This game is a rematch of Week 16 where the Colts hosted the Jets and lost 29-15. The Jets ran the offense nearly exclusively off the run, with Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene combining for over 200 yards. The Colts controversial laying down gameplan that weekend will have no forbearance on this game. Say what you will, Peyton Manning and company will play the way everyone expects them to play, smart and mistake-free. The primary match up of the game will be Manning vs. Jets defense. The Jets defense is one of the tops in the AFC and will need to play very aggressive, especially on the line. Blitz, blitz, blitz Manning and disrupt any tempo he may have. Sanchez will have to play perfect football, which means for him, just manage the time, avoid costly mistakes and convert on big plays. The Colts defense can be shredded by the big plays, both run and catch, so the Jets must be able to put points on the board to match the Colts offense. If this game gets close through the third quarter, I won't be surprised if the Jets can come out with the victory. If they take Manning out of the game either physically or mentally, they will make their run one of the more compelling cinderella stories of the year. However, I do not see the Colts laying down again and will steadfastly put points up and never give the Jets a chance to come back. Manning is too smart and experienced to let this one go through his fingertips like in postseasons past. I believe this game is the Colts to lose.

Prediction: Colts 27, Jets 17

NFC Championship:
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

As the season progressed, both of these teams became the heavy favorites to clinch the NFC. Not surprising, the top two NFC teams that exhibit similar game styles and philosophies meet in the championship game. Both have great QBs in Drew Brees and Brett Favre. Both have explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and both have stout defenses that punish the takeaway battle and put up points. I believe this game will be more of a tug-o-war type game where both teams either trade points or field position. Could this be a shootout? Perhaps. I'm less inclined to say this will be a low scoring game, devoid on big plays because of all the offensive superstars. Their defenses will be tested from the get-go. I do want to see Brees and Favre each throw 3 tds and over 300 yards, but that would undermine how good those defenses are. It's tough to rule out home field advantage and since both teams play at domed stadiums, weather is not a factor. In the end, I see Favre having slightly more impact than Brees and Peterson playing up to his expectations and the Vikings take control of the clock. Vikings play spoiler at New Orleans.

Prediction: Vikings 27, Saints 21