Peyton, Or Payton?

After last weekend's much needed break from the norm, I'm back to predict another football game. Honestly, I have no idea why they would be playing such an important game in a place like Miami. Why not have it in the nation's capital or something? I hear they're having pretty good weather up there....

My last prediction of a football game for quite awhile, here it is; my pick for Super Bowl XLIV.

Indianapolis vs. New Orleans

I don't think America could have asked for a better game. Sure, many people would've liked to see Brett Favre go out a champion (well, maybe just get to the Big Game), or see Rex Ryan and the upstart Jets play for it all. However, the matchup that we got is obviously the best from a strictly football perspective; these are the two best teams in the league.

As I said, I see this game being extremely close. Both teams have the ability to put up points at will, and that is why I see this being a high scoring game. Obviously, one of the keys to the game will be the play of the quarterbacks. However, I believe the play of each team's defense will be the deciding factor. New Orleans will need to get after Peyton Manning the entire game, in hopes of rattling possibly the most composed quarterback in the game. If they are unable to do this, you'll be paying more attention to the commercials than the game by halftime. As for the Colts defense, the play of Dwight Freeney will be sorely missed, as he will probably not be a factor in the game due to his ankle injury. The question for them is, "Will they be able to put pressure on Drew Brees?" It's a must if they want to win, because as Brees showed us two weeks ago, if he is allowed time to throw, he will hit his target.

For the first time, the city of New Orleans' pride is on the line in the Super Bowl. I believe that with the leadership of Drew Brees, and the support of a battle tested city with them, the Saints will beat a very good Colts team. After many tries, this year's team will put all of the franchise's woes to rest, and those on Bourbon Street tomorrow night will experience a party no Mardi Gras celebration could ever produce.

Final Score: 38-34 New Orleans


- K. Becks

It's Been A While

Lots of big stories in sports this week. Texas basketball loses twice. Carlton Fisk slams Mark McGwire. NASCAR decides to relax their rules. Australian Open. Some of them I'll get to writing about later on in the upcoming week, but unfortunately I was unable to get to them when they were hot topics. For all of you that are still in school, you can relate to this: writing papers sucks. Throw writing a paper on top of all my other schoolwork and I've got almost no time for anything else. And due to the fact that at this point the only people who are reading my blogs are people from my school who make fun of the fact that I sign off here with K. Becks, writing new posts is getting progressively lower on my list of things to do.

However, predicting the NFL conference championship games is a must. Here are my picks for the games this weekend.

AFC Championship Game
New York vs. Indianapolis

How many people expected New York to be here? Whether you think Rex Ryan is a savior or just full of hot air, you have to give him credit for taking a team led by a rookie quarterback this far. However, I think that this is the weekend that Cinderella's ride ends. The Colts, unlike the Bengals and the Chargers, have not really been questioned on whether or not they're the real deal. I believe that the answer is obvious. This game could affect Peyton Manning's status as one of the game's best quarterbacks ever. Great quarterbacks deliver, especially when their team is the favorite. If he fails to pull through, with only one Super Bowl to his name, is he really one of the best ever? Fortunately for Peyton, I don't think we'll have to ask that question.

Final Score: 34-14 Indianapolis


NFC Championship Game
New Orleans vs. Minnesota

On paper, this game should be the better of the two this weekend. It's the Old Guy who wants one last shot at the Big One vs. the Talented Guy in his prime who wants his first ring. New Orleans looked very good at home last weekend. Let's remember though that they weren't facing Jared Allen and the Viking defense. If Drew Brees has enough time to find his receivers, then they could be headed to their first ever Super Bowl. However, I think New Orleans will have trouble with Minnesota's defensive front, allowing Minnesota to stay in the game. I predict Brett Favre will drive down the field late in the fourth and complete another thriller to add to his legacy.

Final Score: 38-35 Minnesota


I will try to post a few more entries this week if I can. I can only hope the games this weekend distract me from finishing my paper.


- K. Becks

Back In My Day...

Well, I was going to write about Ohio State upsetting Purdue on Tuesday night, but I think that the game did the talking for itself. Bottom line: when Evan Turner is healthy, he is the best player in the Big 10. Robbie Hummel also deserves a lot of credit for his outstanding first half performance.

Last week, I went 1-3 in picking the NFL playoff games. I think that this week I can better that mark, if only by one game. Here are my picks for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

AFC Divisional Round
Baltimore vs. Indianapolis

Baltimore was the shocker of last week; however, I really don't know how good the Patriots actually were. Indianapolis, on the other hand, is the real deal. I've been a supporter of their decision to give up the perfect season in hopes of maximizing their playoff productivity. I don't think that Indy will have any problem beating the Ravens at home. Since the game is in a dome, it should be a high scoring game, and that will favor the Colts. Look for Peyton Manning to have a good day.

Final Score: 35-21 Indianapolis


New York vs. San Diego

With all due respect to the Cowboys, I believe that San Diego was the hottest team going into the playoffs. Rex Ryan and the Jets aren't going to do anything to slow down the 'Bolts either. I believe both quarterbacks have a chance to take their team to the Super Bowl; but in Mark Sanchez's case, I mean future Super Bowls. Sanchez has shown some good stuff, but is too young to lead his team to a victory against a team like the Chargers. Remember, New York's win last week was against the Bengals, who had a rollercoaster of a season to say the least. San Diego will keep on rolling here.

Final Score: 31-17 San Diego



NFC Divisional Round
Arizona vs. New Orleans

This game has the potential to be the best one of the weekend. It's been a month since New Orleans' last win, and unless they come out firing on all cylinders, they could be in trouble. Let's remember that the turning point (that is, when everyone started saying "How about them Saints?") was after they beat New England back in November. The Patriots, as it turned out, weren't as good as everyone thought. If the Saints don't get after Kurt Warner and allow him time in the pocket, then they could be done for the season. It should be close, but I'm calling the upset here.

Final Score: 38-35 Arizona


Dallas vs. Minnesota

This is a tough game to call. Dallas is playing very well right now. But Minnesota, when Adrian Peterson doesn't turn the ball over, is very hard to stop as well. I like the experience of Brett Favre over Tony Romo. However, the Vikings need to stop guys like Cowboys TE Jason Witten if they want to win. If the linebackers forget about him, then Romo will look very good in this game. I like Minnesota in a close one.

Final Score: 35-31 Minnesota



- K. Becks