AFC Championship Game
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday 3:00 PM ET – CBS

Last week I boldly predicted the Chargers would put the Jets away before the sun set in So Cal, boy was I wrong about the Jets, again. Why don’t they just succumb to popular opinion and lose like everyone predicts? Because Rex Ryan’s defense hasn’t given up more than 15 points in one game since November, that’s crazy good.

Can they keep that streak intact against the Colts and four-time MVP Peyton Manning? Probably not. But can they keep this game close? Absolutely.

A maturing young quarterback, managing an offense showcasing a punishing ground game, allowing the NFL’s top-rated defensive unit to tilt the field in their favor, have we seen this script before? In 2006 a young Ben Roethlisberger relied heavily on running back Jerome Bettis and a suffocating defense in the Steelers’ Super Bowl run.

The Colts other 1000-yard receiver Dallas Clark

The Colts other 1000-yard receiver Dallas Clark

Winning on the road in the playoffs is certainly noteworthy but winning on the road in a dome is extremely difficult, just ask the Cowboys how the dome crowd impacted their offense in Minnesota. The Colts defense is faster and just plain better than either of the Jets first two playoff opponents.

The Jets beat the Bengals and Chargers because cornerback Darrelle Revis shut down Chad Ochocinco and Vincent Jackson. If Revis shuts down Reggie Wayne, Peyton’s favorite target, expect Manning to spread the ball around to his other 1000-yard receiver, tight end Dallas Clark. If Clark isn’t available Manning, has two other dependable options in wide receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon.

Manning has too many weapons at his disposal.

Prediction
Indianapolis Colts 31, Ny Jets 17

NFC Championship Game
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Sunday 6:40 PM ET – FOX

Minnesota has lost four games this year, all four of them being on the road and the injury situation doesn’t look good.

Saints running back Reggie Bush is healthy

Saints running back Reggie Bush is healthy

On Thursday defensive tackle Kevin Williams and defensive end Ray Edwards missed their second straight practice due to knee problems and Percy Harvin, the AFC Rookie of the Year with over 2000 return, rushing and receiving yards combined, did not practice today after he got another migraine, a problem that has plagued him all season.

Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson’s reputation for fumbling will be put to the test against a Saints defense that thrives on creating turnovers. Now that Reggie Bush is healthy, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, like Peyton Manning in the AFC, has too many weapons at his disposal.

Prediction
New Orleans Saints 38, Minnesota Vikings 24

Related Posts

  1. NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview
  2. NFC Teams Hold Serve at Home
  3. Brees-y in the Big Easy
  4. NFL Power Rankings Week 13
  5. Patriots Can’t Put Colts Away