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//  Saturday, July 31, 2010

Who's Going to the Super Bowl

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Posted by James Oldham

Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing.

                                                 - Henry Russell "Red" Sanders

And so we've arrived, the final four. 19 weeks of glorious NFL football have passed, and Championship week is upon us. As fans, it doesn't even matter which two teams are headed to the big show, because we'll have a phenomenal Super Bowl story regardless. Colts-Saints has seemed like the dream match-up all season long, without even considering that Peyton Manning is from New Orleans and Archie Manning played the majority of his career there. Colts-Vikings would pit two of America's most iconic sports stars against each other, and could easily turn into an offensive battle for the ages. Vikings-Jets has the classic under-dog story, and the irony that Favre was a Jet last year! Who has the advantage in that situation? Lastly, there's Jets-Saints. The city of New Orleans, the city that was devastated by a life altering hurricane, ready to rise again. And of course New York, the biggest media market in the country, and the city that hasn't witnessed a Jets championship since Broadway Joe.

I'm still bitter about the Steelers choke job this season, but the excitement in the air that surrounds our potential Super Bowl match up has helped soften the blow. I'm really looking forward to this weekend, and I think football fans win no matter what happens. So this week I'm not going to bore you with a bunch of statistics like I usually do. I'm simply going to tell you which two teams will win, and why. A few weeks ago I picked the Saints and the Chargers to make it all the way. I knew better than to fall for the Chargers games. The Chargers always play well enough to make the playoffs, and every year they roll over and die. Every year. With that in mind, I'm ready to give this another shot.

AFC Championship Game: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts.

Key player: Mark Sanchez.

I know I know, Peyton Manning is the real answer. But that's too obvious. And honestly, if Mark Sanchez plays mistake free football, the Jets have a chance. If Sanchez plays mistake-free and throws a touchdown or two? The Jets have a great chance. If Sanchez coughs it up or tries to win the game on his own? Indy fans will be booking hotel rooms in Miami.

Potential Hero: Dallas Clark.

Peyton Manning can hit anyone. He's just that good. But let's not forget, Garcon is a sophomore and Collie's a rookie. They've both had games where they dropped more than a few balls. What if they start dropping balls? The Colts rank dead last in the league running the ball. Which means either Wayne has to find a way off of Revis Island, (has anyone done that?) or Clark needs to transform into the wide receiver we all know he is. Having that guy at tight end in fantasy really isn't fair. He could be a big factor in the Colts winning this game.

X-Factor: Shonn Greene

Speaking of fantasy, this guy sat on my bench all year. I kept waiting and waiting to drop him because the fantasy experts assured me he was going to play, and play well. Who knew he'd wait until the playoffs to go buck wild? I know the Washington injury helped, but man can this guy play. He's explosive, and he runs over people. I love it. With the offensive line he has to run behind, and Thomas Jones ossifying before our eyes, Greene may just carry this team on his back. If he runs well enough to keep Manning off the field, the Jets will be hard to beat.

The Skinny: Two days ago I wrote an article entitled "how to convince yourself the Jets could win it all." And there were some things I wanted to write about and just forgot, like how Lito Sheppard is a former Pro Bowl corner. The Jets defensive secondary is loaded with talent. My recent article would make it seem as if I'm riding the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets all the way to the Super Bowl. Right?

Absolutely Not. Listen, Peyton Manning hasn't lost a game this season. The Colts defense is fast, and it seems to make a play whenever the team needs one. I don't care that the Colts can't run the ball, Manning's short throws are more productive anyway. I will not bet against Manning, at home, against a rookie QB and a rookie coach. I know the Jets can win, and hopefully I proved as much the other day. I just don't think they will.

Final Score: Colts 20, Jets 16.

NFC Championship Game: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

Key Player: Adrian Peterson

Whether due to offensive line injuries, quarterback audibles, or worn out legs, Adrian Peterson has not looked good lately. He hasn't gone over 100 yards rushing in eight consecutive games. Maybe we've just been spoiled, because Peterson has looked like the best running back in the league since his first year in it. If Peterson is able to get going it opens up the play-action, holds off the blitz packages, and keeps Brees off the field. If Peterson can't get going, the Vikings are in trouble.

Potential Hero: Jared Allen

I think the Saints know they won't be successful rushing the ball against the Vikings. The Williams brothers are monsters posing as football players. They're going to bring it in this game. So the Saints are going to throw, and throw often. (Shocker huh?) That's where Jared Allen comes in. If the Vikings get pressure on Brees, it's going to be a long day at the office for the Saints. And for my money, nobody rushes the passer better than Jared Allen. If he's able to bring down Brees on more than two occasions, the game will be in Favre's hands.

X-Factor: Darren Sharper

Brett Favre is a good friend of Darren Sharper's. They talk all the time. They played together for years in Green Bay. Often times, they practiced against one another. Sharper is aware that Favre likes to weave bullet passes between defenders, and Favre knows that Sharper has a penchant for gambling and trying to make a play on the ball. They've both played brilliantly this season. Sharper has been a ball hawk, tied for the league lead in interceptions this season. Who would know Favre's tendencies and mannerisms better than Sharper? He can turn this game around with a big play or two, and he's capable of doing just that. I could have listed Reggie Bush here, but I already wrote an entire article about that scenario.

The Skinny: If I could have, I would have listed the Superdome as the x-factor. That stadium is one of the loudest places in the NFL, and the Saints rarely lose there. Favre has been terrible on the road in the playoffs lately. In fact, he hasn't won a road playoff game in twelve years. For the last three years, he's made big mistakes towards the end of the season. I'd love to see Favre return to the Super Bowl. I'd love to see him exorcise his demons and win one last championship. But this Saints team is on the verge of greatness. This is the coming out party for the city of New Orleans, and that stadium is going to be rocking. Plus, I'm not a flip-flopper.

Final Score: Saints 34, Vikings:21

Super Bowl 44: Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

A prediction? Not yet readers, not yet...

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