I had hoped that the fact that New Orleans Saints had failed to come with their A game in five straight games (before their three losses they had two near-losses to non-playoff teams, one of whom was the Washington Redskins), that the Cardinals would be able to knock them off. I wonder if once New Orleans was assured of home field advantage throughout the playoffs, they put a lot of their playbook under lock and key for the playoffs. In any event, the Cardinals' A-game was MIA in the Superdome.
However, history does not side with teams who win close, high-scoring playoff games in the previous round. I am old enough to have been a San Diego Chargers fan in the late 70s and early 80s, (the Cardinals had yet to come to Arizona) and witnessed the nerve-wracking Charger victory over the Miami Dolphins. However, the Chargers' season came to a screeching halt in the Freezer Bowl in Cincinnati the following week, losing 27-7 to the Bengals. I link to an account of that game on the title.
Congratulations to the Who Dat Nation. At this time the Vikings lead the Cowboys, which suggests to me that Brett Favre and company are going to have to rehearse the silent count for the NFC championship game, because they are going into the loudest stadium in the NFL.
10 comments:
The Saints versus Colts would be a great game, but I'd prefer Manning versus Favre, with a Vikings win.
I take it you want the Colts to go down in the SB, but do you think Favre has a better chance to do that than Brees?
Victor,
I remember the ice bowl very well. I am a Cincinnati native and a longsuffering fan of the Bendals. That was one of our shining moments in Cincinnati sports.
bob
Well I was wrong about the Chargers and the Cowboys. I really expected the way Dallas' defense was playing that they would beat the Vikings (while the Dallas defense did play well, the Dallas offense was awful, Romo had three fumbles and an interception, you can't have that many turnovers and win). I have to revise my predictions now. I think the Saints will win, the Saints defense will do to Favre what I expected the Dallas defense to do. On the other side, the Chargers played awful. Rivers had the worst game I have ever seen him play and the kicker missing three field goals, unbelieveable. What is really surprising to me is the Jets defense which is really, really good. The Jets actually have a chance against the Colts if that defense shows up again. My revised predictions now: Saints beat the Vikings, Colts beat the Jets and Saints win the Super bowl.
Of course if the Jets defense shows up again they may beat the Colts and if the Jets make it to the Super bowl I actually think they would win it based on their defense! Again whoever plays the best defense will win.
Robert
The Jets and Colts played a famous game once before in which the Colts were favored and the Jets won.
But, as Lloyd Bentsen would say, "Mark Sanchez, you're no Joe Namath."
Speaking of Sanchez, did you see how well the Jets carried out their game plan (i.e., stay close to the Chargers with their defense keeping the Chargers in check, protect Sanchez by having him make minimal throws, he did a nifty throw on the touchdown though waiting for the receiver to get open, and letting the running game control the game/with the added bonus of one running play leading to a long run for a touchdown)? If they do that with the Colts they really have a chance with that defense. On the other hand the Colts defense really played well themselves and if they play like that again I will take Manning over Sanchez as to who leads their team for the most points against very stingy defenses.
Robert
The Jets have a defense built to beat the Patriots, so they are really good with pass-heavy teams like the Chargers and Colts.
I can't imagine them beating the Colts, frankly. Manning is on fire.
I take it you want the Colts to go down in the SB, but do you think Favre has a better chance to do that than Brees?
Well, I hate the Colts. I always want them to lose, no matter what the game. But in terms of pure football drama, Favre vs Manning would be grand.
It is interesting that the two quarterbacks who have any chance of beating the Saints both grew up as Saints fans.
"It is interesting that the two quarterbacks who have any chance of beating the Saints both grew up as Saints fans."
So you think that only Favre or Manning "have any chance of beating the Saints"? Sorry, the Jets have a great defense and I heard just today that three of the offensive linemen for the Jets are pro-bowlers, so if the Jets beat the Colts and face the Saints. With that Jets defense, Sanchez could beat the Saints as well. Remember the golden rules in playoof football: the better defense and the team not turning over the ball will win. In the Jets case they have the defense and if Sanchez and the offense do not commit turnovers, they can beat anyone. I heard an interesting statistic about the Jets today: they have been in every one of their games, even their losses were close and at the very end of games (no blow outs). That again suggests what a great defense will do for you! :-)
Robert
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