Who wins game seven?

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Down to the Final Four

Jets-Colts. Vikings-Saints. Everyone knows the story lines. No need for me to rehash the same babble you have heard on ESPN all week. Lets get right in to my predictions, which are worthless in the playoffs, but hey why not try?

New Orleans 31, Minnesota 24

To the city of New Orleans: Say hello to the city of Miami

The impressive run by the Minnesota Favres is over. Drew Brees and the amped up Louisiana Superdome crowd take down the purple people. Playing on the road in the dome is like a snow man in a sauna - it's very torturous and usually not fun.

Adrian Peterson has been having a pretty quiet season, although he is still a game changer and arguably the best running back in the NFL. Brett Favre has had an incredibly successful season at the age of 40. It truly is something we may never see again. someone at his age playing the game with as much energy and enthusiasm and playing as well as he is. However, I think the run ends here for the Vikings.

Assuming the Saints O-Line, which has two pro-bowlers on the right side in Evans and Stinchcomb, can protect Brees and allow him the time he needs to make plays, the Saints win this one. Believe me, I went back and forth with this game deciding who I thought would win. Drew Brees said that when he came to New Orleans, it was a "life defining moment". Maybe I believe in destiny too much. Maybe I'm a sucker for fairy tale endings. Either way I believe that the Saints take this one, and lead this very deserving city to their first Superbowl appearance ever. Home field advantage doesn't hurt either.

Indianapolis 24, New York 20

Sorry Rex, but this is where it comes to an end. A rookie head coach, a rookie quarterback, and an appearance in the AFC championship game isn't so bad though.

Either way, a rookie head coach will represent the AFC in the Superbowl, be it Caldwell or Ryan. The difference?

Peyton Manning is the best player in the game right now, bar none. Revis vs. Wayne is going to be an interesting match-up. Joey Galloway said on Sportsnation earlier this week that Wayne would score twice. I don't see that happening with Revis on him. Dallas Clark is going to be hard to cover though. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have become legitimate factors as well. Don't worry Colts fans, Peyton is going to get his. He will find his receivers and make the plays necessary. Telling stat? Peyton has been sacked ten times all year. This O-Line protects him no matter what. Rex will have some crafty defensive schemes I'm sure, but if one players in the NFL can figure out a defense, who better than Peyton?

The Jets can run the ball though, and they do it very well. The key for the Colts is shutting down the Jets running game and putting the game on Sanchez' shoulders. The Colts have the ultimate "bend but don't break" defense. I expect the Jets to have their fair share of big plays and runs, but when it matters, the Colts defense has consistently come through.

I think Trey Wingo put it best when he tweeted "it never ceases to amaze me how many people give the colts no respect. they've tried to win 15 games this season...and won.....15"

That's it for me, folks. I'm about to hit up my XBOX. No work tomorrow, thankfully. I get to watch both championship games and both should be great games. But with the way the playoffs and my predictions are going, who knows!

Gonna miss you Conan! (I had to get him a shout-out)

Hasta la vista, world.


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