So we have our conference Championship games set up for tomorrow. You arguably have three of the best quarterbacks on our time playing this weekend to determine who gets a birth for Super Bowl XLIV.
Oh, and there’s Mark Sanchez.
Tomorrow’s battles have numerous storylines that could play out when it’s all said and done and the Conference Titles are awarded.
Think about it...Peyton vs. Brees, Peyton vs. Favre, Favre’s Old team (Jets) vs. Favre’s new Team…a classic battle between Favre and Manning. Then there’s the Underdog Jets and the number one defense against the favored Saints and the number one offense. These are sportswriters’ dream articles.
The Action kicks off with the Indianapolis Colts hosting the New York Jets (3:00PM CBS), and then followed by the New Orleans Saints hosting Minnesota Vikings (6:40 PM FOX). It will be a weekend of firsts, with the Superdome holding its first NFC title game in its historic run, the first time that both AFC and NFC title games are played in domes in the same year.
The Saints are looking for its first Super Bowl berth.
The Vikings are looking to return to the big game since Super Bowl XI.
Jet Fans have been waiting for one since Super Bowl III.
Manning is looking for a second Ring.
Tomorrow’s going to be fun.
My preview for both games are very simple—the quarterbacks. If the jets hadn’t knocked off the Chargers last week, All four top voted MVP candidates would be playing, a possible first in NFL history. Instead, Phillip Rivers will be watching from home as he sees Manning face off against Rookie Mark Sanchez. There’s also this small matchup —I think it’s called Favre vs. Brees.
Jets at Colts:
Mark Sanchez is only the second rookie in NFL history to win his first two starts in the playoffs. Joe Flacco did it last year and lost in the AFC title game, so can Sanchez do the impossible? For the Jets’ strategy, it won’t change like it hasn’t the past two games. Hard blitzing defense and relying heavily on the running game. They can’t let Manning have any time in the pocket to throw the ball. If the Jets can keep the game out of Sanchez’s responsibility and have the running game give the edge on time of possession, then the Jets could have the beginnings of a great upset.
The Colts will probably do a lot of short passes to establish the passing game early. Getting the ball into the young receivers will push the jets from an eight-man line to a four-man line very quickly. Darelle Revis is only one man so the Colts will have to nit-pick New York’s Secondary.
I can honestly see this game coming down to the wire until the 4th quarter. The Colts will push and jets O-line enough so that Sanchez might have to get pressured into throwing the ball too early. This game is so hard to predict because the Jets are hard to predict. They have been an up and down team every game and every half. They started out slow last weekend and then pushed the speed limit to critical levels. I think the Colts will expose some flaws and manning will be going to his second Super Bowl.
Then again, I have my love for Rex Ryan….ok ok.
JETS 24, COLTS 21.
Don’t be surprised if either score happens.
Vikings at Saints: This is honestly going to be a fun game to watch. It will probably be as fun as the Packers/ Cardinals game. I don’t think the same amount of scoring will happen, but it will sure be close.
The Vikings need to bring back the running game that we saw earlier in the year. Adrian Peterson and Fred Taylor will probably get going in the game, but it will come down to if they can get it started early. The Cardinals last weekend broke the game open with an 83 yard touchdown by Hightower, so the Vikings need to start fast too. The only difference is that they need to convert early and keep it going all game long. Favre was superb last weekend against Dallas, so it will be hard to top the performance he had with this game. He will have to spread the ball out a lot more if Percy Harvin isn’t going to suit up for this game. If Harvin does play, it gives Favre another dangerous target.
The Saints will have to do what they did last weekend. Score quickly and don’t stop until the final whistle blows. Drew Brees will also have to push the ball around to various targets in the entire game. The Vikings will be looking to pressure Brees like they did to Romo last weekend, so don’t be surprised if Brees is playing a quick snap count. Reggie Bush showed us last weekend why the Saints picked him in the draft. He just has the explosiveness that can change the entire game. He will have to do it again this week if he wants Saint Fans dancing on Bourbon Street tomorrow night.
This game will be fun to watch as a football fan. I think it will come down to the wire or if someone makes a mistake. Brett Favre’s last pass in the NFC title game history was an Interception. I think it will haunt him a little bit but he should have a good game.
However, I think the Saints will want it more. New Orleans has heard the critics of them falling apart in the final weeks of regulation, and I think they will shut the critics up tomorrow. Pack your packs Saints Fans, you’re going to Miami.
SAINTS 31, VIKINGS 20
With that pick, that would mean there are now only Four Teams left to make it to the big game (Texans, Jaguars, Browns, and Lions)
Again, no matter what fan base you are— tomorrow will be fun.
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