CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTIONS

Okay, lets settle down. Let's reason here. Vinny is not getting a ring. Not because he doesn't deserve one, but he should've come back to back up Peyton. One word for the valiant New England Patriots: Addai. And another word: Rhodes.

Joe Addai and Dom Rhodes are going to grind it out on that New England front line of Defense. Vince Wilfork and Rich Seymour are studs, but even they will fall victim of fatigue late in the game. The Colts wore out that Ravens D (which is definitely more lethal and younger than the Patriots). At the RCA Dome where Peyton is most comfortable. The book on what the Pats do to the Colts is they get very physical with the receivers and tight ends going out for a pass. The 5-yard no-contact rule was reinforced the last couple years specifically (I believe) after watching the Pats maul Harrison and Co. WAY off the line in the playoffs two or three years ago. This disrupts the critical timing of the WR's running routes, then you get a little pressure on Manning and he is forced to make hasty decisions. Peyton throws to a spot of the field and off of 'feel' for what Marv and Reggie are going to do in their route. When the Colts have to guess, that's when they turn the ball over.

Peyton has to take what the Defense gives him and manage the game! No turnovers! This is not a stat contest vs. Brady, it's a quest for a W. That Colts team on their turf in their dome...I know, I know - I remember Pittsburgh coming in there last year. But last year the Colts were nigh-invincible last year. This year there was a regular season Defense and a Postseason D. I know that the numbers are names on the backs of the jerseys are the same, but this is a different team.

Run the ball, Peyton! Even if they only average three yards a rush, the Colts need to stick to it. Stay in 3rd-and-manageables . Vinatieri will come through with critical points. Rest their D while wearing out the Pats with lengthy second-half drives. It will be a thrilling, close one with at least 5 field goals. Colts 20-19.


The NFC. The Afterthought. Would love to see New Orleans win and I am definitely ready to write Chicago off. Problem is that Chicago isn't. True, the Seahawks had guys come off the street to play in their secondary, but that Bears D did a good job (kinda) on Branch, Hasslebeck and to some extent Shaun Alexander. It really boiled down to that sack by the beleaguered Tank Johnson on Hasslebeck on 4th down on the final drive that won the day.

New Orleans has so many weapons and a QB who has played the poised throughout the season, a sure MVP were it not for LaDanian Tomlinson's record-setting year. Did you see how Reggie Bush woke up after that HUGE hit in the first quarter vs. the Eagles? The Saints are not soft, that's for sure. Deuce and Reggie I believe will prove too much for Urlacher and Briggs (who are best in the business at LB). Expect to see both Bush and McCallister on the field at the same time too. I think Sean Payton will throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Bears D, spread the field and run them ragged.

Still, Grossman really loves to go deep and sling it, the Saints front four needs to get him on the run and gambling. Berrian and Moose are good but I think that Chicago had a lot of guys sprain their ankles and twist their legs weird on that new sod Soldier Field had put in before last week's game vs. the Seahawks. Could be a factor in this game, because I would say that the New Orleans secondary is mediocre. A front four on the D-line makes a lot of secondaries look better than they are (see Cincy Bengals) when they get picks off errant throws.

I think the Saints are playing for more than themselves and football. It's inspired football. Saints 31-20.