I went 2-2 last weekend with my picks for a 5-3 overall playoff record. I thought the Cardinals and Chargers would win but they played dismal in the second half of their games. It got the Cardinals blown out and the Chargers were the only home team to go down. This week the top two in the NFC collide and the one and five seeds in the AFC. The winners advance to the Super Bowl in Miami in two weeks.

Sunday, January 24, 2010
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
3 PM ET on CBS
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
This is a rematch of the game that ended the Colts perfect season. The Colts were at home and 14-0 but pulled their regulars while leading 15-10 and ended up losing 29-15. The Jets have won both playoff games on the road and are confident they can win another to reach the Super Bowl. The Jets bring in an attacking defense and Darrelle Revis can shutdown the best Colts receiver. The key to the game is first down. The team that wins on first down is going to win this game. The Jets need to play down hill. They don’t want Mark Sanchez having to make too many plays on third and long against Dwight Freeney. The Colts don’t want to face a heavy blitz so getting positive yards on first down is crucial. Both teams will try to keep the opposing defense off balance by throwing early. The Jets running game is going to bleed the clock and keep this one rather low scoring. However, I haven’t forgotten the disgust on Peyton Manning’s face as he watched the Jets end their perfect season. He won’t let the Colts lose this game.
THE PICK: Colts 20, Jets 16

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
6:40 PM ET on CBS
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Both teams had dominating performances last weekend. They stifled the opposition’s offense and lit up their defense. I’d look for this one to be high scoring. Both offenses are rolling and have been all year. Their defenses have playmakers that could lead to turnovers and short fields for these stellar offensive units. I think it’s a back and forth game. The Saints are playing the biggest game they’ve ever played at the Super Dome. Their fans have waited months for this game and some have waited a lifetime to see the Saints in the Super Bowl. The Vikings brought in Brett Favre and expected to be here. They thought landing the career leader in numerous passing categories would put them over the top and make them a champion. The Saints will need to spread the field and try to hit short passes to slow down the pass rush of the Vikings led by Jared Allen. The Vikings will need to pound Adrian Peterson. He needs to touch it 25-30 times in this one. Darren Sharper is having a great year at safety for the Saints and will be looking for interceptions against his former teammate in Green Bay, Favre. Peterson should have room to run and keep the Saints offense on the sideline for longer than normal stretches. Brett Favre goes back to the Super Bowl.
THE PICK: Vikings 34, Saints 31

So the Super Bowl will feature the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings. See ya in two weeks!

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