Sponsor
Columns
Sneak Preview - SNEAK PREVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
Photo by Sabina Moran
Enlarge Text
Decrease Text
Print this Article
send this article to a friend
comment
Add This
bookmark
facebook
twitter
rss
Posted On: 1/21/07
Written By:
Ok, today is a day that we could all be reconvening down at The Vault to make history. It’s not often that an opportunity to host the AFC Championship Game grazes your fingertips only to slip away, but that’s just the way it is.
Instead we can all direct our attention towards Chicago and Indianapolis, two cities separated by just 189 miles.
Gee what fun…
Today’s first game pits the host Bears against the newest “America’s Team”, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are certainly the sentimental choice in this contest and in the league for that matter. Certainly not strangers to inclement weather the Saints might encounter an alternate form of Mother Nature’s wrath in the Windy City today.
The forecast for today in Chicago calls for morning snow tapering off to snow showers by game time. Some accumulation is expected. Temps should hover in the high 20’s, conditions that favor the home team. While they aren’t exactly polar bears, the Monsters of the Midway should be able to adapt to the wintry conditions better than the Saints who are accustomed to playing indoors. New Orleans hasn’t played in freezing temps this season.
The elements and the resulting slower than ideal track at Soldier Field is likely to be a drag on the Saints rushing attack and their high octane offense. Some of Reggie Bush’ explosiveness and cutting ability should be neutralized and that could put Drew Brees in second and third and long situations which will invite the attacking Bears’ defense to do exactly that. Chicago led the league in turnovers this season with 44.
The Bears are likely to put the ball often in the hands of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. The Saints ranked 23rd against the run this season and they gave up 4.9 yards per rush, second worst in the league. Their passing defense on the other hand was No. 3 in the league so don’t expect the Bears to ask Rex Grossman to carry the load. They are likely to pick their spots and take a few vertical strikes downfield.
Look for the Bears to grind out a win. They aren’t ready to hibernate just yet.
Make it Chicago 23, New Orleans 17
The more promising of the two championship games will take place indoors at the RCA Dome. The combatants aren’t strangers and this one should take on the feeling of a heavyweight title fight. The Colts defense has been on a bit of a roll lately, stifling the unimaginative offenses of the Chiefs and Ravens. Indy won’t be that fortunate this week. Look for Tom Brady to test the Colts by spreading them out and forcing them out of their cozy Cover 2. And when he does, that could loosen things up for the Corey Dillon, Lawrence Maroney and Kevin Faulk.
Will it be enough?
The Colts look like a team on a mission and they have a decided home field edge. Under the hometown roof the Colts are 9-0 this season. Can they make it 10?
Well it won’t be easy. Expect Bill Belichick to make the adjustments to slow down the Colts offense better than they did in New England back in November. Expect Tom Brady not to throw four interceptions again. Expect the Patriots to be a little less generous with return yardage this time (222 yards on 11/5/06).
You can also expect a close game.
The Colts are starting to look like a team whose sail is full of a breeze called destiny. Isn’t it fitting that Adam Vinatieri does in his former mates? It seems to me to be the kind of drama that CBS will enjoy, save the Patriots No. 1 fan Phil Simms. Vinatieri on a game ending field goal puts the Colts in the Super Bowl.
Indianapolis 26, New England 24
Post your comment
«Go back to the previous page.
Enlarge Text
Decrease Text
Print this Article
send this article to a friend
Add This
bookmark
facebook
twitter
rss
Posted On: 1/21/07
Written By:
Sponsor
Polls
Press Feeds
Check us out on Twitter
- 5/23/12: @cacaw410 @masnroch I agree. Pinch hitting could have helped. Oh and their fundamental ineptness on the bases didn't help either. Next time!
- 5/23/12: Somebody hit me up...at O's game and Flaherty can't hit his way out of a wet paper bag...is something wrong W/ Hardy?
- 5/23/12: #Ravens Beach Bash details here >>> http://t.co/sFoLuPe2
- 5/23/12: Details of #Ravens’ Rookie Contracts and the basement bargains they've signed = #UDFA's: http://t.co/e9J2pfFm
- 5/22/12: There's a Betemit Sandwich!
View all tweets & follow us!
E-News
Sign up for Email Alerts and get the best deals and news in your inbox.
Copyright © 2012 24x7 Network, LLC, All Rights Reserved
Website Design by D3Corp Ocean City Maryland
Website Design by D3Corp Ocean City Maryland