Championship Weekend
It is Final Four time in the National Football League. During the past nineteen weeks, thirty-two teams have poured their tears, heart and sweat into each game. Each season, we witness great individual feats that contribute to magical moments that will be remembered forever. In addition to these individual performances, we always seem to witness at least one team that comes together and rises above their collective talents. This year, that team has been the feel good story of the league: the New Orleans Saints. The emotional attachment that fans have with the Saints has made them the darlings of this Final Four and helps to contribute to what should be a great championship weekend. Here is a breakdown of the two conference finals and my picks of who I expect to move onto Miami.
New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts
Somehow, it seems these two AFC powerhouses always find a way to meet for conference supremacy. You have media darling Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts against coaching genius Bill Belichick and his steady sidekick quarterback Tom Brady. Every year, all of the supposed football experts pick the Colts to make the Super Bowl and every year, they disappoint. The Patriots are the exact opposite; the television and radio experts continue to pick against them and yet they continue to knock off one supposed powerhouse after another.
Once again, the Colts seem to be the favorite pick of the fans and media. Has Manning magically changed from a post-season choker? Has Belichick lost some of his coaching intellect? Have the Patriots done anything that would make them more vulnerable? To me, the answer is “no” to all of the above questions.
I had New England winning the championship before the season started and they have done nothing to make me to change my mind. The pick is New England 27, Indianapolis 21.
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
The big question going into this game is whether or not Rex Grossman can play with the consistency needed for the Bears to keep up with the high-powered Saints. Chicago’s once vaunted defense has been weakened by the loss of safety Mike Brown and stud defensive tackle Tommy Harris. Seattle exposed the Bears run defense last week in their narrow loss, and now Chicago has to cope with the dual headed monster of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.
Chicago had to be hoping for freezing cold weather and a steady stream of snow for Sunday’s game. However, it does not look like Mother Nature is going to cooperate. What this all means is that the Bears are going to have to try to slow down the high-scoring Saints all on their own.
I expect New Orleans to expose the holes in Chicago’s defense and continue their magical season all the way to Miami. The Saints will win a high scoring game 28-24.
New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts
Somehow, it seems these two AFC powerhouses always find a way to meet for conference supremacy. You have media darling Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts against coaching genius Bill Belichick and his steady sidekick quarterback Tom Brady. Every year, all of the supposed football experts pick the Colts to make the Super Bowl and every year, they disappoint. The Patriots are the exact opposite; the television and radio experts continue to pick against them and yet they continue to knock off one supposed powerhouse after another.
Once again, the Colts seem to be the favorite pick of the fans and media. Has Manning magically changed from a post-season choker? Has Belichick lost some of his coaching intellect? Have the Patriots done anything that would make them more vulnerable? To me, the answer is “no” to all of the above questions.
I had New England winning the championship before the season started and they have done nothing to make me to change my mind. The pick is New England 27, Indianapolis 21.
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
The big question going into this game is whether or not Rex Grossman can play with the consistency needed for the Bears to keep up with the high-powered Saints. Chicago’s once vaunted defense has been weakened by the loss of safety Mike Brown and stud defensive tackle Tommy Harris. Seattle exposed the Bears run defense last week in their narrow loss, and now Chicago has to cope with the dual headed monster of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.
Chicago had to be hoping for freezing cold weather and a steady stream of snow for Sunday’s game. However, it does not look like Mother Nature is going to cooperate. What this all means is that the Bears are going to have to try to slow down the high-scoring Saints all on their own.
I expect New Orleans to expose the holes in Chicago’s defense and continue their magical season all the way to Miami. The Saints will win a high scoring game 28-24.
posted by marinjos at 3:59 PM
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