Who Dat? Saints Take the Super Bowl

Saints fans across the country rejoiced last night when the Saints managed to pull off the victory over the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl.

The Saints came back from down 10-0, and later 17-13, to win with second half points charged by a gutsy onside kick call that gave the Saints the ball to start the 2nd half. Drew Brees won the MVP, throwing for 288 yards and 2 TD's. The Saints were significantly behind the Colts in most major offensive categories, but a late Drew Brees touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey gave the Saints the go-ahead score with just under 6 minutes left in the game. On the ensuing possession, Tracy Porter picked off Peyton Manning's pass to Reggie Wayne and returned it all the way to the endzone to seal the victory for New Orleans.

The Colts looked very good in the first half, and Peyton Manning finished the game with 333 yards passing. Dallas Clark had a great game for the Colts, catching impossible balls, and leading the team in catches.

The Saints took their first Super Bowl in franchise history last night, and now NFL heads are turning to the NFL draft and Free Agency. Vegas has the Colts at 5-1 odds to win the Super Bowl next year, along with New Orleans at 8-1. The next NFL post will be my mock draft for the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Super Bowl Preview

It's finally upon us, the best football game of the season, the Super Bowl. On February 7, the Colts (16-2) will take on the New Orleans Saints (15-3) in Miami's Sun Life Stadium. Let's take an in-depth look at the Super Bowl matchup.

This game will ride on the Colts' defense and their ability to stop the Saints high-octane offense. Dwight Freeney will have to get in Drew Brees' face and force him to make bad throws. The Saints defense will have to force takeaways from Peyton Manning and the smart Colts offense. The run game of both teams will have to step up, as they both have outstanding defensive secondaries.

Here are some matchups to look at on Super Bowl sunday.
Peyton Manning vs. Darren Sharper: Sharper has been an explosive defensive threat for New Orleans, but Peyton Manning is a veteran quarterback who can read defenses well. Look for a great battle between these two.

Dwight Freeney vs. Drew Brees: Drew Brees had a great campaign this year for the Saints, and to make good throws he will need to be protected. Dwight Freeney will need to do what Jared Allen did for the Vikings by getting in his face and forcing him to retreat from the pocket and make bad throws.

The Colts and Saints were the two top teams in the regular season, and should provide a great Super Bowl matchup. I think the Colts will establish their passing game and Peyton Manning will prove why he deserves to be the MVP and lead the Colts to victory.

On the way to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl and Senior Bowl will provide enough football for the wait between now and February 7. Enjoy!

Conference Championship Wrap-Up

Well, after a great Sunday of NFL football, two teams are happily making plans for Miami. Let's take a look at how the Colts and Saints ensured victory.

AFC Championship: Indianapolis Colts 30, New York Jets 17
The Colts started off this game down 17-13 at the half, but rallied to score 17 unanswered points in the second half. The Colts shut down the Jets stellar run game, holding the Shonn Greene/Thomas Jones tandem to a total of 83 yards combined. The Colts actually out rushed the Jets, gaining 101 yards on the ground to the Jets' 86. Young receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garçon stepped up today for Indy, combining for 18 receptions and 274 yards. Reggie Wayne was relatively kept out of the game by Darrelle Revis, catching 3 passes for 55 yards. Indianapolis gets ready for the high powered Saints in Miami for the Super Bowl.

NFC Championship: New Orleans Saints 31, Minnesota Vikings 28 (OT)
In a very exciting, overtime affair, the Saints pulled away on a 40 yard field goal by Garrett Hartley. Minnesota dominated the game offensively, gaining a total of 475 yards to the Saints' 257. The Vikings killed themselves with 5 turnovers lost, as the Saints' defense was able to force their signature takeaways. Drew Brees hit Devery Henderson, Pierre Thomas, and Reggie Bush for three touchdowns through the air. The Saints will march into Miami for their first ever trip to the Super Bowl to take on the Colts.

The conference championships provided two great games, and a great Super Bowl matchup. In the next post, we'll take an in-depth look at the Super Bowl matchups.

NFL Conference Championship Preview

After a great weekend of football, it's time for the conference championships, and to find out which teams will be playing in Miami. Let's take a look at the match ups this week.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts (3 ET, CBS Sunday)
The Jets come into this game looking pretty good. The defense has been solid, and the offense is making just enough plays to win games. The big test will be how Mark Sanchez plays against the veteran Colts defense, led by star defensive end Dwight Freeney. The Colts offense looks to play well, but it will be interesting to see if young WR's Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie can step up if Reggie Wayne is stuck on Revis Island for most of the game. For the Jets to win this they will need to shut down Peyton Manning. But Peyton Manning in the postseason is very hard to shut down, so I think the Colts will take this one.

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (6:40 ET, FOX Sunday)
This has been the NFC game that most people have wanted to see, Brett Favre and the Vikings taking on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Both teams have come off of huge victories in the divisional round, and were the two best teams in the conference throughout the regular season. Look for the Saints defense to try and strip the ball from RB Adrian Peterson, who has had ball carrying issues this season. If the Vikings can control, the Saints big play offense, they will definitely have a chance to win this one. I think with the Saints being at the Superdome, they will take this one in a very tough battle.

This upcoming weekend will be exciting as always, as two teams will advance to the Super Bowl. Enjoy the conference championships!

NFL Divisional Round Wrap Up

The divisional round provided some blowouts, as well as some amazing plays and games. Lets review the past weekend in the NFL Playoffs.

New Orleans Saints 45, Arizona Cardinals 14 (Saturday)
Despite an early Tim Hightower touchdown, and a later Beanie Wells touchdown, the Cardinals offense had a tough game against the ball-hawk Saints defense, fumbling 3 times and throwing a pick. The Saints got contributions from everybody, gaining a net of 418 yards offensively. Reggie Bush showed great speed and vision, running for a 46 yard touchdown, and an 83 yard punt return to the end zone. The Saints will stay at home next week to take on the Vikings.

Indianapolis Colts 20, Baltimore Ravens 3 (Saturday)
The Colts were firing on all cylinders today, scoring 20 unanswered points against the Ravens. The Ravens killed themselves with 7 penalties for 64 yards, including a pass interference call on an Ed Reed interception that was returned deep into Colt territory. Reed had two picks that did not turn out, the second was stripped away by Pierre Garçon after a long return. Ray Rice was contained for 64 yards on 17 carries. The Colts will host the New York Jets next week.

Minnesota Vikings 34, Dallas Cowboys 3 (Sunday)
The Vikings were dominant in this one, with Brett Favre firing 4 TD's. Sidney Rice, who is having a breakout season with Favre, caught three touchdowns, including an impressive one-handed 43 yarder. Tony Romo was hammered, sacked 6 times by the Vikings defense. The Vikings passing game had to take over for Adrian Peterson, who was held to only 63 yards. The Vikings will travel to New Orleans to for a matchup of the top two seeds in the NFC against the Saints.

New York Jets 17, San Diego Chargers 14
In probably the best game of the weekend, the Jets pulled off the stunning upset over the Chargers, who had won 11 straight coming into the game. The Chargers led 7-3 going into the 4th quarter, but mental mistakes by the Chargers gave the Jets great field position, and Mark Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for a TD, giving the Jets the lead. The rookie from Iowa, Shonn Greene ran in a 53 yard touchdown to put the Jets up 10. Phillip Rivers went up the middle for a TD with 2 minutes left, but it wasn't enough. Three missed field goals by Nate Kaeding, two of which were within 40 yards, really hurt the Chargers, as they ended up losing by three. The Jets will take on the team that helped them get into the playoffs, the Indianapolis Colts. They will play on the road next week.

The divisional round has provided with some exciting match ups for the Conference Championships. In the next post, we will look ahead to the next round of the NFL playoffs.

NFL Wild Card Wrap-Up and Divisional Preview

The Wild Card round provided some exciting games, and statement games from teams that we didn't expect to see win. Let's recap the four games of the weekend.

NY Jets 24, Cincinnati Bengals 14
This game started off well for the Bengals, as they scored the first TD for the game, but later gave up 21 unanswered points to the Jets, who were led by Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones touchdowns. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez was 12 of 15 for 182 yards and a touchdown in his playoff debut. TE Dustin Keller contributed a TD and 99 yards, leading the team in receiving. Darrelle Revis held Chad Ochocinco to two catches with 28 yards, and intercepting a pass. The Jets take on the Chargers next Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys 34, Philadelphia Eagles 14
The Cowboys won their 3rd game against the Eagles this season, with the run game leading the way. The Cowboys posted nearly 200 yards rushing, including a 73 yard TD from Felix Jones. The Cowboys gained 426 yards of offense, and the Eagles struggled to get the run game going. Despite a 76 yard Michael Vick passing TD to Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles struggled to produce the big plays like they had in the regular season. Dallas heads to Minnesota next week to take on the Vikings.

Baltimore Ravens 33, New England Patriots 14
In the suprise of the Wild Card round, the Ravens trounced the Pats, with strong plays from the defense and a great run game. Ray Rice ran the ball 22 times for 159 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Patriots looked sloppy, with Tom Brady throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling once on a sack. Julian Edelman replaced Wes Welker with 2 TD's late in the game, but the Ravens' early 24-0 first quarter lead was too much for the Patriots to overcome. The Ravens meet the Colts in the Divisional round next week.

Arizona Cardinals 51, Green Bay Packers 45
In the most exciting game of the weekend, both teams were locked into a shootout in which neither defense could stop the other's offense. Aaron Rodgers had a Packer post-season record 442 yards passing yards, and 5 total touchdowns. Kurt Warner had 379 yards and 5 TD's in a game that went down to the wire in OT. Despite winning the coin toss in OT, the Packers lost the game on a Michael Adams sack and forced fumble which was recovered by Karlos Dansby and returned for a TD. The Cardinals will head to New Orleans next week to battle the Saints.

Now we will take a look at the match ups in next week's Divisional round.

NY Jets at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are the hottest team in football, winning 11 straight games to end the season. I think the Jets stay in it late, but the Chargers high-powered offense leads them to victory.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had the best record in the regular season, despite losing their last two games to the Jets and the Bills, obviously without playing their starters for most of the game. The Ravens showed a lot of talent defensively last week against the Pats, and I think they have a very good chance at the upset, but I still think the Colts will win. However, I would not be surprised to see the Ravens win this one.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
In probably the toughest game of the week, the Cowboys head to Brett Favre and the Vikings. The Cowboys are coming off an impressive win over the Eagles last week. Both offenses have been firing on all cylinders, so this one will probably come down to which defense will be able to get stops at the right times. I think the Vikings will take this one, led by the veteran Brett Favre, and Adrian Peterson.

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
The Cardinals are coming off a hard-fought victory over the Packers last week, and if the Cards get Anquan Boldin back, their offense could be even more potent. The Saints finished the season sputtering to 13-3, including a loss to the Bucs. I think that this game will be much like the Cards-Packers game, a shootout that could go to OT. I think the Saints move on in this one.

NFL Wild Card Preview

Starting this Saturday, the playoffs will start in the NFL. Let's first look at the match ups in the wild card round of the playoffs.

NFC: Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
The Packers dominated Arizona in Week 17, although many wonder if Arizona really had anything to play for. Despite the presence of a very strong aerial attack for the Cards, I think the Packers will advance in this one, led by Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers.

NFC: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Another rematch of a Week 17 game, in which the Cowboys won easily over the Eagles. The Eagles were a popular late season pick for many, but the offense just hasn't been clicking the past few weeks. I think the Cowboys sweep the season series this year, making it 3-0 against Philly, and advancing to the next round.

AFC: New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
One more rematch in the wild card round, the Jets took an easy victory over the Bengals, albeit with a hobbled Chad Ochocinco, who was held catchless. Ochocinco says he should be ready for the playoffs, which could make a difference for the Bengals. I think the Bengals will continue their great season with a wild card win.

AFC: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
The Patriots will come into this game without Wes Welker, who is out for the playoffs, and likely most of next year with torn knee ligaments. The Ravens come in led by Joe Flacco, who finished off the year with strong performances against the Bears and Steelers. I think the experience of the Pats leads them to a victory in the wild card round.

So, to recap, I have the Packers over the Cardinals, the Cowboys over the Eagles, the Bengals over the Jets, and the Patriots over the Ravens.

I think the wild card round will present some exciting matchups. The next NFL playoff post will be after the wild card round, with a preview of the divisional round of he playoffs.