NFL playoff thread...

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

The Colts were in big trouble today. but they were playing an offense that had no idea how to put a team away. The Saints will be a different story all together, either through the air or on the ground. Should be a great game, but the Saints will not be facing a front anywhere near the quality of the Vikings, Saints 31 Colts 28.

I don't know about that. They got up 11 points and than the Colts got the momentum back when they came down the field and scored that TD before the half to get back within 4. It's not like the Jets had 2 possessions with a double digit lead to put up more points. More of a case of the Jets defence not being able to hold off the Colts.

That Colt front of Freeney, Mathis, Muir, and Johnson doesn't get much noteriety but they're a pretty solid unit. In my opinion the Colts defence is pretty under rated as they went up against two of the toughest offensive lines and running teams in the NFL these past two weeks and kept them in check.

The Jets did find some ways to get some big plays against the Colts and the Saints will have more methods available to them to try their own big plays. It should be a good Superbowl and I wouldn't be surprised if it came down to a field goal, but I'd expect the Colts to win the game. Say 31-27.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Saints don't get a 40 year old QB to beat up on all game either.

Both Warner and Favre got hurt in their respective games, I am willing to bet the same won't happen to Manning.

Saints are also facing probably the best ever QB at reading defences at the line and making adjustments.

After getting ripped by Favre and Minny today, and relying on Minny literally giving the ball away, NO is going to have to be 1,000x better if they want a chance vs Indy.

And IMO the Indy D isn't getting much credit - Freeny is still a beast on the D-line, and their secondary is serviceable at worst.

In the end, I think the difference of Indy's O being that much better than NO's O will lead to a blowout. Manning can pick the best D in the NFL apart, what do you think he will do to the porous NO D? Not to mention the Colts have a decent running game when they want as well... I hope I am wrong though, because I would like to see a close, shootout game. I won't hold my breath though.

[Montana Moe]

Colts are 4.5 point favorites going into the Super Bowl.

Luckily, the Saints are used to being the underdogs! Suits them well...

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The Saints' road efforts this year havn't been particularily inspired. I think the Colts will win by 10.

I remember the Saints almost putting up 50 in Philly, but they weren't overly inspired that day!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Colts are 4.5 point favorites going into the Super Bowl.

Luckily, the Saints are used to being the underdogs! Suits them well...

That's a bad line, it's already been bet up to -5.5.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Jesse834

The Saints advanced to their first Super Bowl and became the first home team to win a conference championship game in overtime.

This is the first time since 1993 that the two No. 1 seeds will face off in the Super Bowl.

Brett Favre threw two interceptions to take over the record for the most INTs by a QB in postseason history with 30. He also set the record for career postseason passing yards and career postseason pass completions.

Garrett Hartley won the game with a 40-yard field goal, joining Rich Karlis, Morten Andersen and Lawrence Tynes as the only kickers to win a conference title game with an OT field goal.

The Vikings had six fumbles, two shy of the single-game postseason record.

Adrian Peterson tied a conference championship record and set a Vikings postseason record with three rushing TDs.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=300124018

Vintage Brett right there.

I think you bolded the wrong sentence.

[Cheerio]

This is the game I've been waiting for since the 2007 Conference Championship games. Prediction: Colts 34 Saints 31
I'm so excited to have Powers back to help try to stop this high flying Saints offense because there was no chance of them being to hold them back without him.

[Smell My Finger]

All is well in the football universe. Brett all about me Favre threw 2 picks and the last one was because he couldn't stand that a kicker who would had a 45 yd FG attempt would be the hero and not Self centered Brett.
Favre had a wide open reciever that waved and ignored him. That would have been a 8yd pick up not including any YAC's. Brett got what he deserved.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The Saints' road efforts this year havn't been particularily inspired. I think the Colts will win by 10.

Agreed, the Saints have been terrible on the road this year (7-1) with that lone loss coming in week 17 sitting many starters and with absolutely nothing to lose.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Smell My Finger

All is well in the football universe. Brett all about me Favre threw 2 picks and the last one was because he couldn't stand that a kicker who would have a simple chip shot would be the hero and not Self centered Brett.

I hate favre too but a 55 yard field goal, even in a dome, is hardly a chip shot.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

The Colts were in big trouble today. but they were playing an offense that had no idea how to put a team away. The Saints will be a different story all together, either through the air or on the ground. Should be a great game, but the Saints will not be facing a front anywhere near the quality of the Vikings, Saints 31 Colts 28.

Are you kidding? After the first half the game was over as the Colts easily controlled the second half. The Jets ran over the Bengals and Chargers yet couldn't even amass 100 yards total rushing against the Colts. Also the #1 defense in the NFL was no match for Peyton Manning and his receivers. The Saints defense isn't even close to the Ravens and Jets. IMO the only advantage the Saints have is the running game but this game will be won through the air and the Saints secondary is not very good. The only way the Saints win the game is if Manning has a bad day and I don't like the odds of that.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

I remember the Saints almost putting up 50 in Philly, but they weren't overly inspired that day!

Putting up points on Philly's D wasn't a huge accomplishment this year. That game was also pretty close until our QB, making his first start ever threw a terrible pick six and then we fumbled the ensuing kickoff.

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Agreed, the Saints have been terrible on the road this year (7-1) with that lone loss coming in week 17 sitting many starters and with absolutely nothing to lose.

Yeah, because they had absolutely no problems during any of those wins. I watched a lot of Saints games this year and the wins at Miami, Washington, and the Chris Redman-led Falcons weren't exactly stellar. Granted their secondary was banged up during a couple of those games, but I think you'd have to agree that the Saints are more vulnerable away from the Superdome.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The Saints' road efforts this year havn't been particularily inspired. I think the Colts will win by 10.

I don't think Miami is a "road game" for the Saints. They should have the hearts of most of the fans. Still, they are in tough.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, because they had absolutely no problems during any of those wins. I watched a lot of Saints games this year and the wins at Miami, Washington, and the Chris Redman-led Falcons weren't exactly stellar. Granted their secondary was banged up during a couple of those games, but I think you'd have to agree that the Saints are more vulnerable away from the Superdome.

Yes, they're not as good on the road, but they find ways to win. The Colts had more wins by 4 points or less than any other team this year. Both of these teams are tough outs, obviously.

Having 2 weeks to game plan is going to help, I think this game will be a close one.

[CaptainCrunch]

I would say this game is going to be pretty close. The Saints offense is good enough to keep it close going into the late fourth quarter.

Their defense isn't going to keep the Colts from scoring points, but the game plan has to be key stops in a shootout.

But its not touchdowns that are going to kill either team its field goals.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Yes, they're not as good on the road, but they find ways to win. The Colts had more wins by 4 points or less than any other team this year. Both of these teams are tough outs, obviously.

Having 2 weeks to game plan is going to help, I think this game will be a close one.

Yeah, I think I'll retract my previous statement of Colts by 10, but I have a really hard time betting against Peyton Manning. If this game is close, I'm putting my money on him to find a way to win. If the game comes down to a FG, I'd rather have Stover than Hartley.

[transplant99]

Listening to Cowherd this morning for a bit and he said something really salient about Manning...

He quite correctly pointed out that he isn't just a QB out there, he is also coaching. And his ability between the ears is what sets him apart from all the other QB's in a QB' rich league. That drive coming out of the 1st half was amazing...he audibled 6 straight plays from what was sent in, and every one of them was the correct decision.

He just plays at a different mental level than anyone else, though physicly he leaves a bit to be desired. I am not a big Colts fan by any means, but man it is something to watch when he gets it going and I feel lucky to witness it in my lifetime.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, I think I'll retract my previous statement of Colts by 10, but I have a really hard time betting against Peyton Manning. If this game is close, I'm putting my money on him to find a way to win. If the game comes down to a FG, I'd rather have Stover than Hartley.

Tough to bet against Manning, for sure. Hartley is pretty much untested, but if you're relying on Stover it had better be from 45 yards or less.

[burn_baby_burn]

Congratulations Saints fans. Those of you who have been cheering for this team for awhile deserve this. This isn't your fathers Aint's. I'm on the Saints bandwagon for the next two weeks. Who Dat?

My condolences to Pagal4321. That is a tough loss to swallow. Vikings handed the game away. Favre was a warrior and despite the interception to basically blow the chance at a game winning field goal, played one hell of a game.

[You Need a Thneed]

I can't see the Saints beating Indy. If Indy plays anything close to like they did yesterday, I don't think it'll be close. The score flattered the Jets yesterday. The Colts settled for 3 short FGs, and the Jets scored their two touchdowns on a long touchdown catch aided by a slight stumble, and a drive aided by a long trick play.

Very easily could have been 38-3, or something like that.

All that being said, Why, Why, WHY do NFL coaches continue to punt down by two scores in the fourth quarter? The Jets were down by 10 with 8 minutes to go, and hadn't really even come close to stopping Indy in the second half. Why do they punt? The only thing surprising was that they were only down 13 points when they got the ball back with 3.5 minutes to play. Very easily could have been - and almost was 17 points. Even it it was 4th and 35, you simply cannot be punting that ball away, and expect to win the game.