It is time to make the final pick of the NFL season. The scene is Miami, the place-Sun Life Stadium, the event-Superbowl XLIV, the opponents-Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. Whodat you say? Yah, that's right, and unless your living under a tree in a remote jungle I'm not informing you about something you don't already know. Not alot can be said about tomorrow's game that hasn't already been said. The statistical configurations have all been calculated and the comparisons have been assessed. What's left now neither calculators nor stat sheets can measure. All that matters is what comes from inside, gives this happening breath and life, causes the pulse to quicken and the adrenalin to flow. The thing that causes individuals to reach beyond their physical boundaries and fly.
Peyton Manning possesses it. All you need to do is observe Manning in action. His demeanor, his expressions all exude this thing I am talking about. When he approaches the line of scrimmage after breaking the huddle you can see the determination in his body language as he reads the defense. As a commander he makes the necessary adjustments and positions his troops. There is no hesitation once he is set and without pause zeros in on his target. You know how things are going because you see it in his face. You see the disappointment when he fails to execute a third down, the dissatisfaction when the offense settles for a field goal, and when in a dog fight the complete focus on matching blow for blow until an edge can be exploited. When on the sidelines waiting for his next shot, the wheels continue to turn in his mind, never breaking his concentration.
Drew Brees possesses it. Brees has quietly gone about his business for years now and finally, deservedly reached the goal. He has piled up the yardage and has one of the best pass completion percentages of quarterbacks. His presence on the field inspires his teammates and the fans. When things break down on the line and the pressure is felt, his determination to find an open receiver is relentless and more times than not he will find that one receiver. His exibits the quiet, patient kind of reflection as he sits on the sidelines waiting his turn with the ball, kind of like a cat waiting and at the right moment springing into action onto its prey.
The Indianapolis Colts have already been to the Superbowl, so their fans know what they want to see. This is the first time for the New Orleans Saints and their fans emotions equal their expectations. Based on that perspective, I would give the edge to the Saints, but that won't be enough. Peyton Manning is a proven winner with a heart to match. Drew Brees is an equal in many ways. It is a tough call. I give the edge to Peyton Manning in that he is a consistent winner, always has been, and will be considered in the books and in hearts one of the best quarterbacks to have played the game.
Article by Rick Dunbar published on sports blog Rick's NFL Picks
The long awaited prestigious football event of the season is just a week away, but the real pulse elevating excitement will not begin until we are past the Pro Bowl tomorrow. The Pro Bowl interestingly is being played at the same stadium as the Superbowl, Sun Life Stadium in South Florida. In my opinion and it is just my opinion, the Pro Bowl means more to the players than it does to football fans who patiently wait out the two week interim between the Conference Championships and Superbowl. A mild distraction from all the hype and hoopla that will finally reach a climax at 6:00 pm, Feb. 7th. This is just my take on things and the way it is for me. You may or may not agree.
Plans are no doubt already in place for the big game. Gathering places have been selected, invitations have gone out, party favorites and beverages have been decided upon. The usual pre-game banter and smack has already started with a few high fives thrown in. As the coming final week passes your mind will be massaged and manipulated by all the videos and football talk. You will get into a few friendly disagreements with friends, co-workers, and even family as to who is the best.
Sunday morning finally arrives. The pre-game warmups begin. Everyone who is someone will give their analysis on what to expect from their point of view. A mountain of statistics will be spilled out onto the table, some of which will leave you bewildered and wondering about its relevance, such as Peyton Manning throws more touchdown passes in afternoon games than night games or Dallas Clark catches more passes when he stands on the sidelines as opposed to sitting on the bench. Well, you get the picture. The afternoon will drag on until 6:00 PM finally arrives, more talk.
Already you are somewhat weary of all the talk and now comes the introductions of the teams and players, more talk. The captains of each team stroll out onto the field and the coin toss takes place, more talk. The official shows them the coin and tosses it into the air, more talk. Who will receive the ball first is decided upon and the two teams take their positions, more talk. Finally, the kick and the game is underway. Give me another beer and pass me the potato chips.
I'm not going to throw a bunch of statistics at you because after it is all said and done they are worthless. Just look at the past Minnesota Viking and New Orleans Saints game. The Vikings dominated statistically in everyway possible and it all came down to one tiny split second decision by Brett Favre to throw the ball into the flow of the defense instead of running with it. We call that the human factor. It is what personlizes the game for us and why we love it.
They are advertising this game to be a high scoring shootout and with Peyton Manning and Drew Brees the opposing quarterbacks the potential is certainly in the mix. Hopefully it will be the case because people lose interest in the Superbowl real fast when it isn't. Maybe something will get exposed in the halftime extravaganza to peek people's interest if the first half is a sleeper. That's when the play by play announcers will try some misdirect to keep themselves from yawning. All the pizza is gone. Just give me another beer. What dvd's do you own or do you have any new video games? Who's going to clean up this mess? Superbowl XLIV, will it live up to the expectations?
Article by Rick Dunbar published on blog Rick's NFL Picks.
Picture: Miami skyline
The way it started out in Indy it looked like the Jets were going to make it a challenge. The Jets were making big offensive plays and pressuring Manning, but it wasn't sustained. Peyton Manning and company weathered the brief onslaught and were superb. The final blow, a high pass from Sanchez was tipped by the receiver into the awaiting arms of the Colts secondary with about a little over two minutes left. Lights out for the Jets, Colts win 30-17. In a game that was everything you expected it to be the Vikings and Saints battled it out hit for hit, point for point. Brett Favre was battered relentlessly and the Vikings offense developed slippery fingers. Despite Minnesota dominating the second half it ended in overtime with several booth reviews and a field goal by Hartley. Saints won over Vikings 31-28.
Peyton Manning picked the highly touted Jet secondary apart. He had 377 total passing yards on 26 completions out of 39 attempts. Three of those completions were for touchdowns. Garcon and Collie were Manning's primary targets and between the two they had 274 of those yards and a touchdown a piece. Dallas Clark caught a 15 yd reception for the third touchdown. Joseph Addai contributed nicely with 80 rushing yds on 16 carries. It could've been worse for the Jets with Indy in the redzone a total of six times and settling for three Matt Stover field goals in three of those redzone visits.
Mark Sanchez was a bit of a surprise in the second quarter when he hooked up with Braylon Edwards for an 80 yd touchdown. Then he connected for 9 yds to Dustin Keller and a score. The Jets coasted into half time with a 17-14 lead, but that is where it ended. Sanchez had 257 yds on 17 completions. The Jet offense was shut out in the second half by Indy's defense and their balloon was finally popped with the only pick of the day by Indy's Kelvin Hayden. Jones and Greene combined for 83 yds and did not have much of an impact on the up-for-the-challenge Indy defense. The Jets were only in the redzone one time.
Brett Favre was in the fight of his football life. He was driven into the ground, helped off the field limping, and came back time after time. He then made a costly interception in the final minute letting a opportunity to win slip by. Favre out gunned Drew Brees with 310 yds on 28 completions out of 46 attempts and one touchdown. Adrian Peterson ran for 122 yds and had three touchdowns. Their defense hung in their time after time and controlled the Saints passing attack, but after all was said and done, the 5 turnovers was the Vikings demise.
The Saints had 257 total yds on offense and still, and I say luckily, pulled it out. Drew Brees only had 197 yds on 17 completions, but made the most of those completions with three touchdowns. Pierre Thomas had 61 yds on 14 carries with one touchdown running and one receiving. Obviously, the difference was not the Saint's offense, but the ball-hawking of the their defense who forced the Vikings to put the ball on the ground five times and gathering in two interceptions.
Vikings and Saints was a wild one to say the least. One has to feel sorry for Brett Favre who took such a pounding and remained determined not to let it rattle him. Unfortunately, the interception will no doubt haunt him as he considers his future. The Jets and Colts ended the way I expected it to. Peyton Manning and company continues to steamroll over their opponents. Now it is on to Superbowl XLIV.
Article by Rick Dunbar published on blog Rick's NFL Picks
It is Conference Chamionships weekend. The final act just before the climax. The stage is set, Indianapolis and Minnesota are the backdrop. The performers are the Colts, Jets, Saints, and Vikings. It's anybody's guess who will be the scene stealer and earn the rights to advance to the big show February 7, but based on previous performances, there are some obvious choices.
The Jets have surprised everybody, at least me. In the beginning of the year you never would have guessed the Jets are where they are now. This weekend it is going to end for the Jets. They have been winning on the run game and defense. That can only last so long, especially against a powerhouse like Indy. Stuff the run and the Jets are done. If they have to rely on the arm of Mark Sanchez alone, lights out in New York. Past teams have won strictly on defense, but Peyton Manning and company will find a way to cross the goal line.
The Colts are my choice in the American Football Conference Championship. They are playing at home and have an offense that scores at will. Peyton Manning is at the top of his game with a powerful arsenal at his disposal. The Jets challenge will be to disrupt Manning and force him out of the pocket and then, find a way to cover the Colt's receivers. Throw Joseph Addai into the mix and it's game over. The Colts have a defense that can handle what the Jets may throw at them.
The Saints in the Superdome, home crowd noise, explosive offense, and a strong defense makes for a formidable foe. Another offense who can score at will. Drew Brees will shred a defense to pieces and his receivers can go up for the ball and snatch it out of the air better than any other receiving core. The Saints also have a strong running game in Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas and an aggressive defense proficient at frustrating an offense. They seem to have ascended out of their slump and are ready to take on their opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings definately are not a push over and can match point for point when it becomes necessary. After the Dallas game, it has become obvious they will show no mercy. Brett Favre is pumped up and playing like a man half his age equipped with the many years experience he has acquired over his long career. Favre has the perfect complement in Adrian Peterson who runs like a mad man and is a threat to bust loose at any given moment.
The Vikings and Saints are a perfect match for opponents. It couldn't have been scripted any better. A game with high expectations on being both entertaining and that edge-of-your-seat potential. The Indianapolis and New York game is a wait and see what happens. Indianapolis has the playoff experience and the home crowd to rile them up. The Jets are playing with an attitude. They're the little dog who doesn't know he is little and that is dangerous. Are you ready? Bring it on.
Article by Rick Dunbar first published on Rick's NFL Picks
