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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
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Indianapolis Colts (14-4) at New England Patriots (15-2)
Line: New England -3, O/U 44
The four best teams in the AFC this season were New England,
Indianapolis, Kansas City and Tennessee. It was fitting that
all four wound up in the second round of the playoffs. The
Chiefs bowed out because their defensive weaknesses caught
up with them, and the Titans were battered physically by the
end of the year because of their tough style of play. That
leaves the Colts and Pats to battle it out for the right to
represent the AFC in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The Patriots have advanced to the Super Bowl three times since
the 1985 season, winning it all two years ago against St. Louis
on a 48-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri at the Superdome. The
Colts -- then stationed in Baltimore -- defeated Dallas to
win Super Bowl V and lost to Joe Namath's Jets in Super Bowl III.
Indy's offense is on a blistering pace. Manning has guided the
Colts to 10 touchdowns and two field goals in 17 postseason
possessions. The unit hasn't needed to call on the services
of punter Hunter Smith yet this postseason.
However, the Colts must play better defensively if they are
going to realize their ultimate goal. Indy's defense surrendered
more than 400 yards in the Divisional shootout with the Chiefs,
who also racked up 196 rushing yards against Dungy's unit. The
Colts' defense allowed Brady to complete 74.3 percent of his
passes in the Week 13 meeting, but the unit also intercepted
the New England signal-caller twice.
Those were the last two interceptions Brady threw this season.
While the Colts are riding Manning's hot hand, the Patriots will
counter with Brady, who has never lost a postseason game as a
starter. New England's tremendous success at Gillette Stadium,
where it is 9-0 this season, has coincided with Brady's amazing
interception-free performances.
"Over the course of 60 minutes, this team figures out how to get
the job done," Brady says.
New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel watched his
unit surrender four touchdown passes to Manning in the first
meeting of the season. However, the Patriots jumped out to a
17-0 lead in that contest, forcing Manning to throw 48 passes.
This contest should be considerably closer. Both teams want
to run the ball, if only to pump up time of possession or set up
the play-action passes.
New England struck gold with the addition of NT Ted Washington,
who uses his mammoth size to clog up running lanes and allow
Crennel's linebackers to make plays from sideline to sideline.
The Pepper Johnson-coached 'backers are well-schooled in the
art of intercepting short passes, so Manning needs to be on top
of his game once again this weekend.
The icy-cold weather conditions could also be a factor. The
Northeast has been ravaged by an extreme cold front that could
carry over into Sunday's late-afternoon kickoff. The forecast
calls for temps in the 20s and possible snow showers in Foxboro.
While the Pats have been perfect at home, the Colts are an
NFL-best 8-1 on the road. The Colts have won four consecutive
road games (at Kansas City, Houston, Tennessee and Buffalo).
Bill Belichick matching wits with Manning is worth the price
of admission alone, but Dungy's defense will have a say in who
wins this game. The Colts can't allow RB Kevin Faulk to make
big plays and must account for excellent pass-receiving TEs
Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham. New England lacks a
Marvin Harrison-type receiver, but Bethel Johnson, Deion Branch,
Troy Brown and David Givens are all capable of making
game-breaking plays.
Belichick also does a masterful job of taking big players
like Harrison out of these do-or-die games. If the Colts
are going to beat Belichick on his home turf, they will
need strong efforts not only from stars like Manning,
Harrison and Edgerrin James, but also big plays in crucial
spots from the supporting cast (Brandon Stokley, Reggie Wayne
and Marcus Pollard).
Predicted Outcome: New England 27, Indianapolis 20
************************************************** ******
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
************************************************** ******
Carolina Panthers (13-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)
Line: Philadelphia -4, O/U 36
The NFC finalists are a pair of teams based on grit, heart
and determination, and one of these foes will finally get
over the hump and make a Super Bowl appearance. In their
second year of existence, the Panthers lost the 1996 NFC
ChampionshipGame to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay.
The Eagles have fallen one victory shy of a Super Bowl appearance
in each of the past two seasons. Philadelphia dropped a 29-24
decision in St. Louis in the 2001 NFC Championship Game, and
closed Veterans Stadium last year with a 27-10 loss to the
Tampa Bay Bucs.
Reid's faith in McNabb was rewarded with 12 victories in the
Eagles' final 14 regular-season games, and one huge playoff
effort. It appeared as though Green Bay had destiny on its
side as it jumped out to a shocking 14-0 lead in the first
quarter of the Divisional matchup last week. Brett Favre
quieted the Philly crowd with a pair of touchdown passes.
However, the Eagles' kept pounding away and won out in the
end.
A spirited Duce Staley got the Eagles on the board with a
touchdown run before the end of the first half, and McNabb
elevated his play over the game's final 30 minutes to lock up
Philadelphia's third straight conference final appearance.
The Eagles didn't tank it when they fell in an early hole versus
Green Bay just like they didn't give up on the season when they
started the new campaign 0-2. Even when all hope was nearly
lost and the season was riding on a fourth-and-26 play, McNabb
calmly delivered greatness in the presence of some of the most
inpatient fans in the world. The ultra-athletic quarterback hooked
up with Freddie Mitchell for 27 yards when the Eagles needed 26.
That play will become legendary in Philadelphia sports lore if the
Eagles make it to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles and Panthers both needed overtime to extend their
seasons, and now Carolina will get another crack at Philadelphia.
The Eagles won the Week 13 matchup at Ericsson Stadium,
25-16, as Panthers kicker John Kasay missed three field goals.
The Panthers, who have won five of six games since the loss to
Philadelphia, are extremely similar to last season's Super Bowl
winning Tampa Bay squad, which advanced to the big game
with a road victory against Philadelphia. Carolina wins close
games by running the football, controlling the clock, limiting
turnovers and playing good defense. John Fox's team is 10-3
in games decided by six points or less this season,
but will need some help from its training staff this week in
order to get ready for the Eagles.
Leading rusher Stephen Davis strained his left quad muscle on
a 64-yard scamper in the second quarter of the Divisional victory.
Davis was replaced by DeShaun Foster, who played the biggest
game of his life en route to 95 yards on 21 crucial carries.
Davis' health and availability is of the utmost importance since
Philadelphia's defense has struggled against big-time running
backs this season.
The Eagles, however, also want to run the football. Versatile back
Brian Westbrook led the team in rushing, but he is sidelined for
the entire playoff tournament. McNabb rushed for an NFL
QB-record 107 yards against Green Bay last week, but Fox
will do everything he can scheme-wise to limit McNabb's running
ability in the conference title tilt. Staley and Correll Buckhalter
combined to rush for 57 yards on 14 carries last week.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will turn up the
heat on Delhomme. Philadelphia has an aggressive, attacking
defense that also possesses the athleticism to make big plays.
Each team's pass protection will be crucial to the outcome.
Both defenses can get to the quarterback. However, the
Eagles ranked in the bottom 10 of the league in sacks allowed
(43), while the Panthers ranked in the top 10 in that department
(26). Delhomme isn't an elite quarterback, but he manages the
game, limits turnovers and finds a way to make big plays when
necessary. He showed he can handle the blitz when he
countered Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's
aggressive scheme in the Wild Card round by hooking up with
both Steve Smithand Muhsin Muhammad on big passing plays.
Predicted Outcome: Carolina 23, Philadelphia 20
************************************************** *****
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
************************************************** *****
Indianapolis Colts (14-4) at New England Patriots (15-2)
Line: New England -3, O/U 44
The four best teams in the AFC this season were New England,
Indianapolis, Kansas City and Tennessee. It was fitting that
all four wound up in the second round of the playoffs. The
Chiefs bowed out because their defensive weaknesses caught
up with them, and the Titans were battered physically by the
end of the year because of their tough style of play. That
leaves the Colts and Pats to battle it out for the right to
represent the AFC in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The Patriots have advanced to the Super Bowl three times since
the 1985 season, winning it all two years ago against St. Louis
on a 48-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri at the Superdome. The
Colts -- then stationed in Baltimore -- defeated Dallas to
win Super Bowl V and lost to Joe Namath's Jets in Super Bowl III.
Indy's offense is on a blistering pace. Manning has guided the
Colts to 10 touchdowns and two field goals in 17 postseason
possessions. The unit hasn't needed to call on the services
of punter Hunter Smith yet this postseason.
However, the Colts must play better defensively if they are
going to realize their ultimate goal. Indy's defense surrendered
more than 400 yards in the Divisional shootout with the Chiefs,
who also racked up 196 rushing yards against Dungy's unit. The
Colts' defense allowed Brady to complete 74.3 percent of his
passes in the Week 13 meeting, but the unit also intercepted
the New England signal-caller twice.
Those were the last two interceptions Brady threw this season.
While the Colts are riding Manning's hot hand, the Patriots will
counter with Brady, who has never lost a postseason game as a
starter. New England's tremendous success at Gillette Stadium,
where it is 9-0 this season, has coincided with Brady's amazing
interception-free performances.
"Over the course of 60 minutes, this team figures out how to get
the job done," Brady says.
New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel watched his
unit surrender four touchdown passes to Manning in the first
meeting of the season. However, the Patriots jumped out to a
17-0 lead in that contest, forcing Manning to throw 48 passes.
This contest should be considerably closer. Both teams want
to run the ball, if only to pump up time of possession or set up
the play-action passes.
New England struck gold with the addition of NT Ted Washington,
who uses his mammoth size to clog up running lanes and allow
Crennel's linebackers to make plays from sideline to sideline.
The Pepper Johnson-coached 'backers are well-schooled in the
art of intercepting short passes, so Manning needs to be on top
of his game once again this weekend.
The icy-cold weather conditions could also be a factor. The
Northeast has been ravaged by an extreme cold front that could
carry over into Sunday's late-afternoon kickoff. The forecast
calls for temps in the 20s and possible snow showers in Foxboro.
While the Pats have been perfect at home, the Colts are an
NFL-best 8-1 on the road. The Colts have won four consecutive
road games (at Kansas City, Houston, Tennessee and Buffalo).
Bill Belichick matching wits with Manning is worth the price
of admission alone, but Dungy's defense will have a say in who
wins this game. The Colts can't allow RB Kevin Faulk to make
big plays and must account for excellent pass-receiving TEs
Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham. New England lacks a
Marvin Harrison-type receiver, but Bethel Johnson, Deion Branch,
Troy Brown and David Givens are all capable of making
game-breaking plays.
Belichick also does a masterful job of taking big players
like Harrison out of these do-or-die games. If the Colts
are going to beat Belichick on his home turf, they will
need strong efforts not only from stars like Manning,
Harrison and Edgerrin James, but also big plays in crucial
spots from the supporting cast (Brandon Stokley, Reggie Wayne
and Marcus Pollard).
Predicted Outcome: New England 27, Indianapolis 20
************************************************** ******
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
************************************************** ******
Carolina Panthers (13-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)
Line: Philadelphia -4, O/U 36
The NFC finalists are a pair of teams based on grit, heart
and determination, and one of these foes will finally get
over the hump and make a Super Bowl appearance. In their
second year of existence, the Panthers lost the 1996 NFC
ChampionshipGame to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay.
The Eagles have fallen one victory shy of a Super Bowl appearance
in each of the past two seasons. Philadelphia dropped a 29-24
decision in St. Louis in the 2001 NFC Championship Game, and
closed Veterans Stadium last year with a 27-10 loss to the
Tampa Bay Bucs.
Reid's faith in McNabb was rewarded with 12 victories in the
Eagles' final 14 regular-season games, and one huge playoff
effort. It appeared as though Green Bay had destiny on its
side as it jumped out to a shocking 14-0 lead in the first
quarter of the Divisional matchup last week. Brett Favre
quieted the Philly crowd with a pair of touchdown passes.
However, the Eagles' kept pounding away and won out in the
end.
A spirited Duce Staley got the Eagles on the board with a
touchdown run before the end of the first half, and McNabb
elevated his play over the game's final 30 minutes to lock up
Philadelphia's third straight conference final appearance.
The Eagles didn't tank it when they fell in an early hole versus
Green Bay just like they didn't give up on the season when they
started the new campaign 0-2. Even when all hope was nearly
lost and the season was riding on a fourth-and-26 play, McNabb
calmly delivered greatness in the presence of some of the most
inpatient fans in the world. The ultra-athletic quarterback hooked
up with Freddie Mitchell for 27 yards when the Eagles needed 26.
That play will become legendary in Philadelphia sports lore if the
Eagles make it to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles and Panthers both needed overtime to extend their
seasons, and now Carolina will get another crack at Philadelphia.
The Eagles won the Week 13 matchup at Ericsson Stadium,
25-16, as Panthers kicker John Kasay missed three field goals.
The Panthers, who have won five of six games since the loss to
Philadelphia, are extremely similar to last season's Super Bowl
winning Tampa Bay squad, which advanced to the big game
with a road victory against Philadelphia. Carolina wins close
games by running the football, controlling the clock, limiting
turnovers and playing good defense. John Fox's team is 10-3
in games decided by six points or less this season,
but will need some help from its training staff this week in
order to get ready for the Eagles.
Leading rusher Stephen Davis strained his left quad muscle on
a 64-yard scamper in the second quarter of the Divisional victory.
Davis was replaced by DeShaun Foster, who played the biggest
game of his life en route to 95 yards on 21 crucial carries.
Davis' health and availability is of the utmost importance since
Philadelphia's defense has struggled against big-time running
backs this season.
The Eagles, however, also want to run the football. Versatile back
Brian Westbrook led the team in rushing, but he is sidelined for
the entire playoff tournament. McNabb rushed for an NFL
QB-record 107 yards against Green Bay last week, but Fox
will do everything he can scheme-wise to limit McNabb's running
ability in the conference title tilt. Staley and Correll Buckhalter
combined to rush for 57 yards on 14 carries last week.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will turn up the
heat on Delhomme. Philadelphia has an aggressive, attacking
defense that also possesses the athleticism to make big plays.
Each team's pass protection will be crucial to the outcome.
Both defenses can get to the quarterback. However, the
Eagles ranked in the bottom 10 of the league in sacks allowed
(43), while the Panthers ranked in the top 10 in that department
(26). Delhomme isn't an elite quarterback, but he manages the
game, limits turnovers and finds a way to make big plays when
necessary. He showed he can handle the blitz when he
countered Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's
aggressive scheme in the Wild Card round by hooking up with
both Steve Smithand Muhsin Muhammad on big passing plays.
Predicted Outcome: Carolina 23, Philadelphia 20