Championship Sunday

Saints – Colts Superbowl

Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints
Soldier Field, Chicago – Sunday, 3:00 PM

The City of New Orleans doesn’t say “Great game” or “Nice season” when they see Drew Brees out of uniform on the street, they say “Thank you”; a thank you for bringing passion back to the city every Sunday when the gold and black take the field. What Brees has done for this team with the help of young Coach Sean Payton and Deuce McAllister is bring in a powerful offense with multiple weapons and a double-digit winning regular season in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but what Brees and the Saints have done for the City of New Orleans is nothing short of amazing. It was just over a year ago that we all heard stories and saw footage of the horrors that occurred within the damaged roof and walls of the Superdome. Now that same building that housed a disorganized relief effort and saw bullets fly in the cot-filled hallways ROCKS ON SUNDAYS. And, a City that was known for rocking and partying hard can rock and party again. So yes, “Thank You” Drew Brees for letting the sold out Superdome crowds and the dank filled bars of the French Quarter rock and party again. The Saints managed to go from rebuilding to winning in less then one season when no one was looking…it gives the City of New Orleans hope for the same.

So my heart picks the New Orleans Saints but my head does as well. I like the Saints offense against a tough Chicago Bears run defense for two reasons. First, Drew Brees will be able to keep Pro-Bowler Brian Urlacher and the rest of the linebackers off the line by throwing to Marques Colston across the middle of the field. By keeping the linebackers from stuffing the line, it should open up some holes a bit for Deuce McAllister who doesn’t need much space especially if he starts running downhill. Second, with the addition of rookie running back Reggie Bush into the attack, who loves to run outside the tackles and can be at times unstoppable in the open field, the defensive ends and outside linebackers will be wary of his presence on the field and will be forced to play the run more honestly as well. Bush thrives on the reverse, the quick screen and basically any play that gets him the ball and gets him to the outside of the field. Again, this opens up a little more running space for McAllister. Can Urlacher stop McAllister on his own? Maybe. But then Brees will beat you in the middle and further down the field. This is the real matchup of the weekend…the Saints offense against the Bears defense. Don’t miss it. As far as the other side of the ball goes, Rex Grossman and his young stud receiver Bernard Berrian have looked good together at times and Thomas Jones who ran tough near the goal line last week against the Seahawks can have an impact for the Bears offense but this offense is due to deteriorate and expect this on Sunday. Look for 2 turnovers from Grossman…maybe 3. I like McAllister for 120 and a TD and Brees should throw for 210 and a TD.

Saints 23 – Bears 13 (Sorry Cap’n Mike)



Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
Indianapolis, Indiana – Sunday 7:00 PM

These teams make an excellent AFC matchup. The Patriots are well-coached and execute when it’s necessary (Brady and Bellicheck are 12-1 in the playoffs) and the Colts have an explosive offense and arguably the greatest quarterback with a monkey on his back ever. Coincidentally and in a perfect way, the monkey is not being able to win the big game against the Patriots in the playoffs. I think he’s taken Indy to the playoffs the last four years and lost to the Patriots in January two of the last three years. I might be a little off but it’s a fact the Patriots have Peyton Manning’s number and know how to take the big plays away from him. But this year, there is one slight difference than the last two playoff meetings; the game will be played in Indianapolis. Will the home field advantage be that much of an advantage for the Colts….not that much but more so will the fact that Manning will not have to beat the Patriots in Massachusetts.

This game will really depend on Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison and if Peyton can get these studs the ball down the field. If they can make some big plays early, then expect the Colts to win big. However, if New England’s corners can shut them down then the game will come down to a field goal or two. If New England hopes to be successful on offense then their two thronged running attack needs to go big and rush for over 150 yards. Indy’s defense is hot so Corey Dillon and what-ever-his-name-is Maroney need to pound the ball in, eat up the clock and keep Manning off the field. We all know that Tom Brady is clutch and will always play big in big games but if the Colts have a sizable lead then he won’t have much of a shot. New England’s Dee is very tough on the run so look for Addai to get a few carries but not have much of an impact on the game. But, New England’s defense will cause 2 turnovers and 1 may go for a touchdown…perhaps Troy Brown.

Manning will get a chance to play on February 3rd and hush all the “big-game” critics.

I see Peyton going for 270 yards with 2 TDs maybe 3 if he can score early but with an INT and Brady throwing for 175 yards and an INT as well. Dillon will score one on the ground.

Colts 30 – Patriots 24

(If NE shuts down Wayne and Harrison – Colts 16 – Pats 13)