Conference Championship Breakdown

The field of teams has been narrowed from 32 down to just four. This Sunday the NFL Conference Championships will be played to determine who will represent the AFC and NFC in the Superbowl. Here's a look at all four remaining teams.

In the AFC the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts will host the 9-7 New York Jets. In fact, the Jets only got a chance at making the playoffs because the Colts rested their starters in the week 16 matchup between the teams. That win helped propel the Jets into an AFC Wild Card berth. The Jets have taken care of business on the road in Cincinnati and San Diego; while (after a first round bye) the Colts beat the Baltimore Ravens to advance to the AFC Championship game.

Peyton Manning is one of the most intelligent quarterbacks to ever play the game and the Indianapolis defense played at a different level last week against a physical Baltimore team. Here's all you need to know. In the aforementioned week 16 contest Peyton Manning managed to pass for 192 yards and put 15 points on the board before being pulled in the third quarter.

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has played great although I must admit, I was not sold on him when he was drafted. I made a bet with my buddy "Goges" before the season started that the Vikings would have a better record than the Jets. I clearly won the bet, but I certainly never thought the Jets would be this good.

The Jets will win IF

1. They run the ball effectively on first and second down. This will put them in manageable third down situations and give Sanchez a chance to succeed.
2. They control the clock. As good as the Jets defense is, the best way to defend against the Manning Machine is to keep it off the field. Running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense is paramount to that effort.
3. Pressure Manning. Plain and simple. If you give Peyton Manning time to survey the field, he will pick you apart. This is a veteran Colts team that will not rattle as easily as the Bengals and Chargers did. Just being good won't be good enough this week. The Jet's defense has to be pristine.

It's time to start the bus IF

The Jets can't move the chains on offense. Last week it was mid-way through the second quarter before they got a first down. If they do that, or anything like it, it's good night Gang Green.

The Colts will win IF

1. They put forth the defensive effort they did last week. The Ravens were actually a great warm-up game, although the Jets run the ball a little better. The Colts defense doesn't need to win this game, they just need to Not Lose the game.
2. They keep the pocket clean for Manning. Manning with time WILL find holes in the Jet's scheme. Under pressure though he tends to develop happy feet and becomes less than superhuman.
3. They take care of the ball. The Jets probably aren't going to win the turnover battle with interceptions, that is number 17 over there you know. In order to manufacture turnovers they're going to need to create fumbles. Like an airport socked in with fog, the Jets will be looking for the strip. (just a little aviation humor for my sister Shawna Rae)

It's time to start the bus IF

Peyton Manning is riding one of those funny little carts off of the field. It seems demented to say it, but unless Manning gets hurt the Colts are never really going to be out of this game.

I'll take the Colts at home over the Jets, but make no mistake this is a team that is on the rise.

The NFC should prove to be a much more interesting contest.

The Saints finished the season with a 13-3 record going undefeated through 13 games before losing their last three. After a first round bye the Saints thumped the Arizona Cardinals to advance to the NFC Championship game.

The second seeded Minnesota Vikings finished the season at 12-4 after a media frenzy filled season that marked the reunion of Brett Favre and head coach Brad Childress. The move paid off as the purple and gold cruised through the NFC North on their way to the playoffs. After a bye week they handily disposed of the red hot Dallas Cowboys earning their way to the NFC Championship.

The Saints have a depth of talented position players on the offensive side of the ball. Drew Brees is the perfect quarterback for this system as he distributes the ball to those playmakers so effectively. Conversely the Saints defense is an inconsistent bunch. Their biggest concern? They allowed Kevin Kolb (PHI), Jason Campbell (WAS) and Chris Redman (ATL) all to pass for more than 300 yards against them this season.

The Vikings are more balanced in all phases of the game. While they don't have as many playmakers on offense, they definitely have more performers on the defensive side. The Vikings however have a couple of major concerns. Injuries to key players Percy Harvin (Rookie of the Year), Defensive End Ray Edwards and Defensive Tackles Kevin and Pat Williams. If ANY of these guys miss Sunday's game the Vikings will be at a disadvantage. Their second big concern is that all four of their losses this season have come on the road. A week seven hiccup in Pittsburgh can be forgotten. But losing at Arizona, Carolina and Chicago at the end of the season is troublesome.

The Saints will win IF

1. They get ahead early. If Brees and the boys hang a bunch of crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the first half it will take the running game away and force the Vikings into a game pace that they can't maintain.
2. They win the turnover battle. The Saints led the league in interceptions, the Vikings led the league in fumbles recovered. Whoever wins this battle will have an edge.
3. They protect Brees. Because the Minnesota defense will be coming. If they can keep Brees upright he will quickly find himself in a target rich enviroment.

It's time to start the bus IF

Adrian Peterson has more than 100 rushing yards before halftime. If the Vikings can run the ball they'll be able to keep the ball away from Brees and Co. and allow their defense time to rest.

The Vikings will win IF

1. They get to Drew Brees with their front four. This is the ONLY way the Vikings defense will have a shot at slowing down the Saints attack. If they are forced to bring a linebacker to get pressure then that will create new opportunities for the Saints passing attack.
2. They win the turnover battle.  Part of what makes the Vikings succesful, much like the Saints, is turnovers. The Saints have homefield advantage. A couple of early turnovers could help silence that crowd.
3. They magically get healthy. Harvin played in week 15 against the Panthers despite rumors that he wasn't 100 percent healthy after missing the prior week's game with chronic migraine headaches. The Vikings lost that game in Carolina and Harvin clearly wasn't himself. Also, having Pat and Kevin Williams in the middle effectively shuts down the interior running game and adds a different element to the pass rush.

It's time to start the bus IF

Brett Favre throws more than one interception. The Vikings cannot afford to give the Saints additional chances to score. It's unlikely that the Vikings can win the turnover battle if Brett's chucking it all over the field.

I've been on the Vikings for a long time now. I'm going to stick with them against my better judgement. I'll say this. If they can beat the Saints on the road there will be no question as to whether or not they belong in the Superbowl.

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