But here is the most interesting storyline of this game. Back in week 16, these two teams were in significantly different positions. The Colts were 14-0 with the #1 seed in the AFC locked up. The only thing they had left to play for was a perfect season. The Jets on the other hand seemed all but eliminated from the playoffs at 7-7. A loss by the Jets and they would be playing golf in January and that win would have put the Colts 1 game away from perfection. Instead of going for it, the Colts laid down. They benched their starters in the second half and allowed the Jets to take the game over, stay alive in the playoff hunt and subsequently begin their winning streak. It's ironic. The Colts had a chance to eliminate the Jets in week 16. But by giving the Jets a pulse it sparked a miraculous turnaround and now the very same Jets team has a chance to eliminate the Colts.
If I was a Colt's fan I would be nervous. I would also be extremely pissed that the Indianapolis front office denied your team a chance at immortality. We all remember the 2007 season when the New England Patriots ran the table and went 16-0 in the regular season. They won two playoff games and made it to the Super Bowl. All that stood beween them and 19-0 was the New York Football Giants. If they won the Super Bowl, and completed the perfect season they would have gone down as the greatest football team in NFL history. But they didn't. Instead they had 18 wins and 1 GIANT loss.
The Colts had a shot at 19-0. But they decided to play it conservative and not risk an injury to a star player and in doing so they unleashed the Jets, making it possible for them to get to the AFC Championship game.
I made the mistake of under-estimating the female readers last week, so I will just break down the games the way I would if I was actually being paid to do it.
New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts(-7.5)
The Jet's have been able to make their opponents play their style of football. Slow the game down, win the field position battle, and force their opponent to make mistakes. Mark Sanchez has done just enough to win, but more importantly he hasn't been making mental mistakes. The Colts know that the Jets want to run the football and I think they will stack the box and make Sanchez beat them.
The best battle of the game is going to be Darrelle Revis against Reggie Wayne. Revis has been able to take away some of the elite receivers this year, and I think he will be able to shutdown Wayne as well. However the Colts have many weapons.
How the Jets Can Win: They must stop Dallas Clark. Here's how I think it can be done: The Jets need to hit him at the line of scrimmage. If he is split out like a WR, then a linebacker must line up with him, jam him and disrupt his timing. If he is lined up tight on the line, then the Jets can not allow a free release. So much of the Colts offense depends on timing, and even slowing Clark down just a second or two could disrupt Manning's progressions. The Jets love to blitz, and the way to get Manning out of rythym is to blitz him up the middle. Attack the "A" gap (between the Center and Guard) to get a guy in his face, and hit him often.
How the Colts Can Win: They must limit the Jets running game. Mark Sanchez has the ability to win on his own, but if he is contantly in third and long situations it will be a long day for him. It's much easier to complete passes when the offense is dictating when they want to throw it, not when the defense know's the offense have to throw it. The Colts must stack the box and stop the run game by using run blitzes. Offensively, they have to protect Manning, something they have done very well this season.
Prediction: This Jets team reminds me a lot of the Giants team that won the Super Bowl. Both teams nearly missed the playoffs, had a devastating loss late in the season, had a quarterback that no one believed in, and went on a playoff run that no one that possible. The Jets are still a ways away from that Giants team, but I think they have enough magic to pull this one out. Why not? Jets 28 Colts 27
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
Does Favre have enough left in the tank? I think he does and the Vikings will be in this game. But they have not been a good road team this year, and the Superdome will be as loud as it's ever been. There will be plenty of offense in this game and whatever defense comes to play will be the team that wins this game.
The Vikings have a dominant defensive line and caused all kinds of problems for the Cowboys last week. Drew Brees has a quick release and will have to get the ball out in rythym otherwise it will be a long day.
How the Vikings Can Win: Favre and the defense carried them last week with almost no contribution from Adrian Peterson. He has to have a big game this week, because I don't think they can outscore the Saints in their own building. If Peterson is running wild and wearing out the Saints defense it will open up the passing game and allow Favre to take advantage of weaknesses instead of trying to create weaknesses. On defense, the defensive line has to be able to get to Brees. If they can create pressure without having to bring linebackers, it will allow the Vikings to play blanket coverage, while still making Brees uncomfortable in the pocket.
How the Saints Can Win: Spread the field. Their offense can create insane mismatches because of all the weapons they have. They can lineup with 3 dynamic receivers in Colston, Henderson and Meachem but can come out in almost any formation because of Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey. So the defensive coaches see 3 receivers on the field but have to be prepared for 5 receivers because of what Bush and Shockey can do. The Saints are great at creating favorable mismatches and exploiting them.
Prediction: The Saints looked too overpowering last week and I don't think they can be stopped. If Reggie Bush can play like he is still at USC then no one has a chance to beat them. I think they pull away in the second half and steamroll into the Super Bowl. Saints 37 Vikings 24
I'm no expert and the so called "experts" on TV have no idea either. That's what so great about playoffs, anything can happen. I also put together another video, but this is a little different. Some of my friends are Jets fans and this is a great time for them. They rarely are shown love, so I have decided to put something together for them and their great white hope, Sexy Rexy.
Before I present you the video, I'd like to give the readers a head's up of what's on tap at ETC. As you may well know, MTV's "Jersey Shore" aired its finale on Thursday. Many people are sad to see it go, but there is one person who couldn't be happier about it. He is preparing a slam piece that is sure to generate some great reactions. Few things have generated this much anger and discontempt in another human being than this show. That person is Pasquale and he is about to rage.
So until next time, as always..........Stay Sweet!
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