NFL Championship Round

AFC Championship - Sunday, January 24th - 3pm

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -7.5
O/U: 39
Yes, the Jets defense has been outstanding in the playoffs. But this time they've got to face Peyton Manning, a man who can shred any defense. Do the Colts have enough of a run game to keep the pressure off of Peyton and the passing game? We'll see. This game will be strength vs. strength: the best pass D in the NFL against one of the league's all-time great quarterbacks. The Jets are confident after their week 16 win in Indy, and they certainly think they can do it again. I worry that the Colts D will be the difference maker. They've got the speed and strength to hang in against the Jets run game and to force Sanchez into a few bad decision. If the Jets have a bunch of 3-and-outs (like they did against San Diego to start the game), the Jets defense will be forced to spend extended time on the field, and Peyton will make them pay. If the Jets can move the ball, they'll be ok. This is a game where it would be very easy to pick the Jets with the points, but I think Indy is out to prove that the way the season ended was a fluke.
My Pick: Colts -7.5. Indy finally shows that the Jets D is beatable 23-13.

NFC Championship - Sunday, January 24th - 6:40pm

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Line: Saints -3.5
O/U: 53
I've been looking forward to this matchup for quite some time. Both teams have stellar offenses, but I think Minnesota's D is significantly better than the Saints' D. Jared Allen and the Vikes' D totally shut down the Cowboys last week. And while it may be equally impressive that the Saints held down the red-hot Cards, Arizona hasn't really put multiple good games together all season long. And Warner was hurt for more than half of the game. Not only do I think the Vikings have the advantage, but I also want the Vikings to win. I'm on the purple bandwagon. How great would it be to see two future hall of famers (Favre, Manning) go head-to-head on the biggest stage of them all? Plus I love the spirit of Brett Favre. The guy's a winner. That's all there is to it. Yes, I'd love to see Katrina-ravaged New Orleans have success...but they've already rallied together as a community behind the once 13-0 Saints. All good things must come to an end. Nawlins will party like crazy while hosting the NFC championship, but it will be the Minnesota Vikings who will be heading to Miami.
My Pick: Vikings +3.5. Minnesota wins a classic, 38-35.