NFL Picks, Conference Championships | January 22, 2010 |
About five weeks into the 2009 NFL season, if you would have polled the sports world about which 4 teams would make the final 4 with a shot at the Super Bowl, the Saints, Colts, and Vikings would have been very popular choices. The New York Jets would not have been so high on that list but due to the strong play of Mark Sanchez and Darelle Revis the Jets are one win away from the Super Bowl. These teams will square off in domes this weekend to ensure good weather and great football.
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts (stats)
These two teams met in Week 16 of the regular season as the Jets ended the undefeated run of the Colts. Peyton Manning and the Colts regulars only played half of that game but it was very tight when they made their exit.
Mark Sanchez and the Jets still led a few scoring drives and won the game. Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene have been awesome as they have carried the Jets in the postseason offensively. Mark Sanchez is not playing like a rookie and seems to have grabbed hold of the reins for rookie coach Rex Ryan. Revis has shut down both Chad Ochocinco and Vincent Jackson so far this postseason as well as a very long list of players in the regular season and very well may be the best defensive player not named Charles Woodson. He has a tough task this week as Reggie Wayne is one of the best. The Jets head to Miami after a low scoring defensive win.
Prediction: 21 – 20 Jets
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (stats)
Just as everyone predicted early in the season, the Vikings and Saints will meet for a trip to the big one. Brett Favre faces off against Drew Brees. The Vikings are coming off a monster performance in which they completely dominated the Cowboys with great defense and explosive offense. Sidney Rice has emerged as one of the top receivers in the league.
Brees has found an explosive big play guy of his own in Reggie Bush, who had a monster game last week and will be a force as a pass catching back in this matchup. Brees, Bush, Favre, Rice and Adrian Peterson should all provide plenty of offense in this game but it will be the defense that decides it. Jared Allen and the Williams pair, Pat and Kevin, will be just enough to get the Vikes into the big game. Brett Favre will make an attempt to end his career with a second ring.
Prediction: 31 – 21 Vikings