The Commish Weighs In With His Championship Game Predictions
23. Jan, 2010 
4 Comments
Only 2 Sunday games this weekend, but they’re the big ones. In the NFC tilt, we’ll see the two highest scoring teams in the NFL do battle, and in the AFC tilt we’ll see Cinderella vs. the Pumpkin. I’ve already predicted both dogs winning the game outright, so let’s get to the point.
GAME ONE – 2:00PM Sunday – Central Time
This game is important, but mainly because we WANT a good Super Bowl. I don’t think the Jets give us that kind of game, but I can’t get past the mediocre way the Colts have played, or the dominant defense of the Jets. Only 3 quick points here, but I think it’s a relatively stale game we’re going to see, with the Jets pulling off the first upset of the day.
1. The Jets D is ridiculous. They stop the run, which Indy hasn’t had all year. They stop the pass, which is the only way Indy takes charge of the game. With Revis on Wayne, the Colts will never really get it going. This will be a ball control game. Advantage: Jets
2. Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones will exploit one of the worst 5 rushing defenses in the league, a la Ravens/Patriots. I think this is the biggest key to the game. If the Jets rush game gets going, we’ll see Manning take chances against the Jets secondary, and I think he’ll make mistakes. Advantage: Jets
3. Experience leads HEAVILY towards the Colts, and I think the only reason a guy MIGHT favor the Colts. If Sanchez gets rattled, or too far behind early, he won’t have the stuff to bring the Jets back. My good friend Joe Thomas showed me the statistical comparison between Sanchez’s year, and Jamarcus Russell’s first year. Yikes.
I think the Jets hang on, just barely, add a defensive or special teams TD, and squeak out a major upset, 21-20.
GAME TWO – 5:40PM Sunday – Central Time
In the NFC, the Saints host the Vikes. The Vikes comin into this one a 3 point underdog, and I’m going to outline the 5 points that will lead to a Vikes win.
1. The two offenses are very very good; as mentioned the #1 and #2 offenses in the league. Although the Saints were a suprising 6th best rushing offense in the NFL, and have a prolific passing offense, the Vikes have the wily veteran, Brett Favre. I believe I’ve already professed my bromance here. The Vikes have a better RB, a QB who’s arguably one of the best in history, 3 very good WR options, and a better TE. Advantage: Vikes
2. The defenses are very very…well…different. The Saints gave up many many yards this year, and not necessarily to great teams. They pick the ball off a lot, but their defense is not good. They ranked 25th in the league in yards against, and have one of the worst run defenses in the league. The Vikes ranked #7 overall in defense, have the #2 rushing defense due to the “Williams Wall” and have Jared Allen. Advantage: Vikes
3. The Vikings have a much better special teams. Better punter, better kicker, and maybe suprising to some a MUCH better return team. Reggie Bush has some people confused. His numbers are mediocre at best. Harvin is the one with the sick return numbers. Advantage: Vikes
4. Adrian Peterson will be back this week. Since New Orleans rushing defense is the 7th worst in the league, it may finally be the game where All Day goes off. I think the Vikes conservative early game plan means run left, run left, run left, and AP ends up with 150 yds and 2 TDs. Advantage: Vikes
5. Football fate finally goes the right way for one of the teams that have never won the Super Bowl. Not sure which team is happier, the one who’s never been, or the one who’s been four times and never won. Favre wins his 2nd Super Bowl and retires. Advantage: Vikes
I think the Vikes establish a sizable early lead, and hang on to win by my already predicted score, 38-34. SKOL VIKES!!!
As you know, I love Favre, so I’m worried I’m wrong…but I might wish I was wrong more about the Jets.
Here’s one prediction I know will come true: IF the Jets win on Sunday, the best thing on February 7th will be the nap during the Super Bowl.
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Love that you are 6-2 so far in the playoffs and are refusing to play it safe. Yor are on a roll so it is hard to go against you.
I like your Vikings pick. Special teams will be huge in a very close game. I’ll take the Vikings as well which means with both of us taking them they have ZERO chance of winning.
I can’t take the Jets. I like Revis. He is a phenom. The problem is Manning is a phenom too. And Manning’s experience will be too much here.
I’ll go Vikings 33 – Saints 32 on a missed extra point.
And give me Colts 24 – Jets 9.
That would be incredible if the Saints lost on a missed extra point.
I think Manning is the key for the Colts, no doubt. The other advantage that the Colts have is that Sanchez hasn’t faced a DE combo like Mathis and Freeney in a long time. They could rattle the rookie big time.
Missed em both this weekend. The thriller in New Orleans will be the best game of the playoffs. The Vikes were undone by their half dozen turnovers. I can’t believe they had a chance to win it in regulation. Coulda shoulda woulda.
Dang.
The other game I was just plain wrong. Manning vs Sanchez and the wily veteran just plain outplays him.
I’ll get a preview out later this week, with a broken heart and no Vikings.
Saints need to win the big one now. And I WON’T be there to watch it.
lol. It was a run.
Somehow, you will still end up with a winning playoff record no matter what happens in the SB.