NFL Conference Championship Predictions 2010

We’re one round away from the Super Bowl!

And who would have thought that the New York Jets would still be here, and better yet facing off in a rematch of the game that wasn’t a game against the Indianapolis Colts. I’m wondering if the Colts are having any reservations no about “playing it safe” and thus helping the Jets get to where they are now.

On the other side we have the Brett Favre Brett Favres agains the feel-good story Saints. Up until week 14, almost everyone wanted a Colts – Saints Super Bowl (after your own team, of course), and we might just get one. Though it does lack some of the luster of two undefeated teams facing off.

Before we get to the picks, here’s the standings so far:

1. Josh Gans 5-3
2. Jim Gaudet 4-4
3. Adam Pieniazek 2-56

Jim Gaudet

I am not picking the Jets this week, but damn it if I don’t want them to win it all, what a great storybook start for the Sanchise….

Anyway, here’s this weeks picks…

Perfect Season by the Pats, almost. Two 16-0 teams in the same season, I don’t think so. The Jets taking a rookie quarterback to the super bowl? Sorry, I would love to see the Jet’s take a 2 INT game from Manning right into the super bowl, but these fantasies just don’t happen in the NFL. If the Jets play well on offense then it’s a closer game, but the Colts win either way.

Colts over Jets 23-13

I have to pick an underdog, right? As much as I would like to pick the Jets this week as my underdog, I have to go with Favre, Favre, Favre and the Vikings. It’s all about who is going to have a good game and score more points, so I see Percy Harvin taking a punt return to the house to make the difference.

Vikings over Saints 33 – 31

Adam Pieniazek

Can both teams lose? Seriously though, I really, really hate the Colts. I also hate the Jets, but at least they’re an AFC East rival and it’s good for the division to have a team in the Super Bowl, even if it’s our Pats. Still, as much as I’d love to see the Jets beat the Colts to reward the Colts for their imperfect season, I just don’t see it happening (which, judging by my current record apparently doesn’t mean much!).

Colts over Jets 35-24

Wow, this game is going to be epic…hopefully. In a playoffs littered with blowouts, the Vikings and Saints match up really well and are both strong teams with the talent and motivation to make this an extremely competitive game. Everyone and their grandmas are predicting an offensive showcase, so I’m going the opposite way. It’ll be a defensive struggle in a very low scoring but exciting game. It’ll all come down to the quarterback and in the end I see Brees holding his composure slightly better than Favre and scoring the game’s only touchdown.

Saints over Vikings 7-6

Josh Gans

The Jets defense has been more than impressive and I would love nothing more than to see New York destroy Peyton Manning and the Colts. The Jets D did well against Manning for the short time they played against him in week 16 and I think Rex Ryan can develop a scheme to stop him. If Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene can run effectively and control the clock, the Jets can come out on top in this one.

Jets 31 over Colts 28

Beside my undying loyalty to Brett Favre, I can see this one ending in an upset for a Saints team that has been on a tear in 2009. The Vikings defense is built to stop the run, but that makes their pass rush even stronger. Regardless of Brees having five options to throw to on the pass, he won’t have enough time anyway.

Vikings 34 over Saints 27

Photo credit: Ed Yourdon | CC-SA 2.0