Today's games

[ZOOMBAG]

Jets at Colts -- Jets only chance is turnovers. If the Colts don't turn it over, Peyton Manning will be in another Super Bowl. Colts by 10

Vikings at Saints -- this is the good one and I have really no idea who will win. I think the Saints have re-gained their mojo after a bad end of season. Drew Breeze and Co. may just score too much for Favre to keep up. Saints by 7

And that means that the two "best" teams from most of the regular season will meet in the Super Bowl. And that is a bit unusual in the NFL....

[Hero1957]

I like both scenarios.
More nervous about the Saints.
Big numbers against the Cards may not be the most reliable barometer. I want to see the D play well and Reggie Bush play well two weeks in a row. Shockey could really help(once again) he is injured.

[Hail to the Victors Valiant]

I'm thinking Colts and Vikings, but no one knows for sure how the ball bounces. Heard on ESPN this morning that 94% of teams in conference championship games that finished the game with a +2 turnover margin or better packed their bags for the Superbowl.

Also, early injury to a key player or players could shift the tides of the game as well. Colt McCoy knows something about that. I like P. Manning but can he just tweak his hand enough after hitting someone else's helmet after a throw, so that Curtis Painter takes over. If so, a first quarter injury would be so kind. Go Jets! Win one for Joe Willie

[MasterBevo]

The Colts were 31st in the league at stopping people on 3rd down... not a good stat. And, they were BEHIND in the 4th quarter in 7 of their 14 wins... They've been squeaking by all year. I think, their luck runs out today.

The JETS BELIEVE! And, their defense is for real... if this game stays close to the 4th quarter... I really like their chances.


As for the Saints.... I think, it all comes down to whether Ray Edwards and Pat Williams can play effectively with the injuries they have. If the Vikings DL dominate the Saints the way I think they can... the Favre "magic" will carry the day. That said.... It looked to me like Edward's knee injury last week was pretty serious. :(

This is a game with colliding GREAT stories... really hard to pick. But, I'm a Vikings fan... so, GO VIKES!!!!

[Lincoln Tower]

The ESPN slurping over the Jets has been nauseating. They are a .500 team who got 2 teams to lay down and 2 kickers to miss FGs at home.

Colts, on the other hand, are good at football.

[TigerStripe]

Colts win the coin toss and elect to receive...

Kickoff!

The Colts get 1 first down and punt after Manning gets sacked.

Jets missed a FG...wide right.

[MasterBevo]

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!


I love the Colts.. but, I win MORE $$$ if the Jets win! :p

[TigerStripe]

Touchdown!

Nice throw by Sanchez despite the pressure.

Jets 14
Colts 6
4:53 2nd quarter

[CJHawkeyes]

I don't have a rooting interest in these games outside of seeing Hawkeye players do well and yet the drama of this first game seems bigger than the BCS title game and I can only imagine it has everything to do with how the NFL determines its champion versus how college does. The least desirable situations that people blame a playoff for like sandbagging or mediocre teams making the playoffs and just getting hot are nowhere near as bad as weak OOC scheduling and two teams getting voted into a title game while avoiding several teams with comparable seasons. I realize this debate is always going to amount to beating a dead horse, but how does anyone come to respect deciding a champion by a popularity vote and a lack of direct competition?

[TigerStripe]

Jets 17
Colts 13
Halftime

[MasterBevo]

That was about as good as the JETS could have hoped for.... I sure wish they'd have held the Colts to a FG before the half...

I have the feeling that Peyton is starting to "feel it"! He's got a couple of replacement players to aim at now... not good for the JETS!

Need... more... turnovers!

[MasterBevo]

Who was it that suggest the NFL Championship is NOT a "war of attrition"??

Couple of key injuries are killing the Jets now... Strickland and Lowry... and, now Shonne Greene...

Jets better figure out a way to score on this next drive... cause, Peyton's not done.

[ZOOMBAG]

Who was it that suggest the NFL Championship is NOT a "war of attrition"??

Couple of key injuries are killing the Jets now... Strickland and Lowry... and, now Shonne Greene...

Jets better figure out a way to score on this next drive... cause, Peyton's not done.

This is pretty much how the Colts have drawn up the season...struggle early, stiffen up on defense and Manning slowly gets going, mix in some runs once the defense plays heavy for the pass, then it just starts to unravel for the other team.

Jets starting to crumble...especially with those injuries...

[CJHawkeyes]

Why kick a FG there? One yard and you win the game. A FG is still only two scores.

[Bucs90]

The Vikings are done. Fundamentals. Can't hold on to the football. 4 crucial fumbles. Saints got this one wrapped up, Vikes have butter fingers today.

[ZOOMBAG]

The Vikings are done. Fundamentals. Can't hold on to the football. 4 crucial fumbles. Saints got this one wrapped up, Vikes have butter fingers today.

Almost hate to see one of them lose. Favre is heroic as Minn is overcoming their own screwups

[Blue Hen]

The Vikings are done. Fundamentals. Can't hold on to the football. 4 crucial fumbles. Saints got this one wrapped up, Vikes have butter fingers today.

.. regarding Favre, 'gunslinging' is exciting but hazardous.

[Bucs90]

.. regarding Favre, 'gunslinging' is exciting but hazardous.

Yes it is. The Vikes could not establish a running game vs the Saints. That and the turnovers beat them.

[HellYeahHokie]

Yes it is. The Vikes could not establish a running game vs the Saints. That and the turnovers beat them.

What? Adrian Peterson had over 122 yards rushing averaging 5 yards a carry.

The Vikings had plenty of offense. Almost 500 yards. 200 yards more than NO, and held the ball for 10 minutes longer.

Bad turnovers alone were the reason the Vikes lost. If not for losing the ball, several times in the red zone (Offensive and defensive red zones), the game would have been a blow-out

[MasterBevo]

If not for losing the ball, several times in the red zone (Offensive and defensive red zones), the game would have been a blow-out

Absolutely correct! And, you can throw in a few "home ref calls" to boot!