2006 NFL Playoffs - Conference Championships

New Orleans Saints (11-6) at Chicago Bears (14-3): Chicago is favored by 2 with an o/u of 42 1/2. Chicago leads the all-time series 12-11-0. This is their second playoff matchup (1990- @ Chi 16, NO 6). The Saints are the chique pick to make it to the Super Bowl in two weeks. What a great story that would be. They've got the best offense in the league this year and a very good defense. Their running back duo of Deuce McAlister and Reggie Bush is fantastic. Drew Brees was the QB with the most passing yardage in 2006 and finished 2nd in the MVP voting to the Chargers LaDanian Tomlinson. Still, a dome team playing outdoors in chilly winter-like weather makes me nervous. For the Bears, once again the pressure relies squarely on the shoulders of QB Rex Grossman. If he doesn't throw interceptions and just manages the game, the Bears will do well. However, the Bears defense isn't as good as it was a few weeks ago. Expect a very good game but a relatively low scoring one. Despite a good Saints offense, wind and weather will ground their passing game. Can the Bears contain the Saints RB's? I think it will be very close in the end and though I'd love the Saints to win.... well they will, but barely. Take the Saints to win outright and take the under. Prediction: New Orleans 20, @ Chicago 17. Actual Score: @ Chicago 39, New Orleans 14. A close game into the third quarter turns into a blowout for the Bears. Chicago had no turnovers, their QB was not sacked and their first penalty came at 7:21 of the fourth quarter. New Orleans had four turnovers and their RB's, except for one play (an 88 yard catch-and-run by Reggie Bush), were non-factors.

New England Patriots (14-4) at Indianapolis Colts (14-4): Indianapolis is favored by 3 with an o/u of 48. The Patriots lead the all-time series 43-26-0. including a 27-20 loss in early November at home. This is their third playoff meeting (2003- @ NE 24, Ind 14; 2004- @ NE 20, Ind 3). The Colts have won the last two series games, in 2005 and 2006, both at New England against banged up Patriots teams. However, in the playoffs where it counts and where legends and legacies are made, the Patriots are 2-0 against the Colts. But does history matter in a game like this? Only in the psyche of the Colts heads. Regular season wins are nice but post season wins are better. The Colts unquestioningly have a great QB and WR's in Manning, Harrison and Wayne. Throwing against a questionable Patriots backfield could give the Colts the edge. The Patriots also have a great QB and their WR's, Gaffney and Caldwell have played superbly in the playoffs so far. But this game will be won in the trenches. The Patriots have the better defensive line and linebackers and if they can control the line of scrimmage, the Colts will become one-dimensional. The Colts defense was last in the league vs. the run in the regular season but has been super so far in the playoffs. But is that a reflection of the defense or of questionable offenses of the Chiefs and Ravens, who have lost to the Colts so far. I think the Patriots will be able to run on the Colts defense with RB's Dillon and Maroney. For both teams, the TE's will be huge: Graham and Watson for the Patriots and Clark for the Colts. All are capable of excellent yards after the catch. The one other huge advantage that goes to the Colts is this: Mr. Clutch, ex-Patriot K Adam Vinatieri, whom I would hate to see line up for the game winner. He just doesn't miss in the playoffs. The Patriots K Gistkowski has been good all year - but is still a rookie whose legacy starts now. Finally, statistics don't lie - the Patriots are 13-6 lifetime vs. the Colts at the RCA Dome. Tom Brady is 12-1 in the playoffs, Peyton Manning is 5-6. Brady is also 10-0 in domed stadiums and 23-1 on artificial surfaces in his career. You should look for a classic battle and a high scoring game. However, until Peyton Manning beats the Patriots in the playoffs, take the Patriots to win outright. Prediction: New England 38, @ Indianapolis 31. Actual score: @ Indianapolis 38, New England 34. Well, this game played out pretty much like I expected it would, except for the final score. Even though my team lost, it was an excellent game with a lot of exciting plays on both sides of the ball. You can say what if this or what if that happened but you have to give credit to the Colts for coming back in the second half after being down by 18 points late in the second quarter and by 15 points at halftime. Their FG to close the first half and opening drive for a TD in the third quarter were HUGE in the momentum swing that was clearly in the Patriots favor at the beginning of the game.