[Celtic1982citleC]

Wild Card: 2-2
Divisional: 2-2

Going .500 in the playoffs is far from impressive but every game has been decided in the last 2 minutes thus far. Lets see how we can fair in the AFC and NFC Championship games this week.

AFC

Patriots @ Colts

Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning. Adam Vinitaeri vs his former team. GREAT story lines here in what promises to be the best Championship game in recent years. I look for New England to revert back to the running game with Dillon/Maroney to setup throwing lanes for Brady who is a veteran QB that should be able to pick apart Tony Dungy's cover 2 schemes in the secondary. Peyton Mannings playoff history against the Patriots is HORRIBLE. Never winning a game vs the team from the northeast. Even though there is no Ty Law to give Manning headaches the Patriots now have Asante Samuel who has quietly become the 2nd best CB in the NFL (behind Champ Bailey) and shared the league lead with Bailey in INT's. Indy will HAVE to be able to run the ball to have success. The Colts were able to run it late against the Ravens to seal a victory but struggled early. Look for Manning to get his confidence up with short swing passes and screens and help from the running game. This game is going to be a knock down, drag out, slug fest. As much as I like the Colts at home, I like the Pats veteran leadership and championship experience. This game will come down to play calling and the Pats have arguably the best ever in Belichek.

Patriots 24 Colts 20

NFC

Saints @ Bears

Seattle exposed the Bears defense up the middle in their game with Alexander running for over 100 yards. More surprising were the size of the holes Alexander had to run through. If Hasselbeck did not make that horrible throw after the INT of Grossman I think Seattle wins this game in regulation. New Orleans will do what Seattle didn't and that's take away the deep ball and make Grossman try to work underneath where he struggled all season long. Also, after watching the Bears defense and the way it played against the Seahawks you have to imagine Deuce is licking his chops. Deuce is a great downhill runner and should find holes up the middle to keep the Bears defense at bay. Brees has playoff experience in prior years with the Chargers and is a much better QB than Grossman with better targets to throw to. Joe Horn will be healthy for the game, Colston is the rookie of the year at WR, then you add Copper and the explosive Reggie Bush and it all adds up to a long day for the Bears D. The Saints go marching into the Super Bowl to face the New England Patriots

Saints 38 Bears 21