Collegiate Times

The second-seeded team in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings, which also received a bye week, came out on top as well. Against the Cowboys, Minnesota jumped ahead early and never looked back as it cruised to a 34-3 win. The ageless Vikings quarterback Brett Favre threw four touchdowns in the game, three of which were to wide receiver Sidney Rice.

In the AFC, the top-seeded Colts took care of business as well. The Colts were just as dominating as the NFC’s best in their 20-3 win over the Ravens. Many believed the Colts offense would be a little rusty, but their defense looked in top form. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning also had a solid game as he went 30 of 44 for 246 yards and two scores.

The one game that was different from the others, though, took place in San Diego. The AFC’s second-seeded Chargers hosted the Jets and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez in what many expected to be an easy San Diego win.

Sanchez and the Jets didn’t believe so, however. New York scored 14 points in the final quarter and used a crafty defensive attack to upset the Chargers 17-14. Chargers pro bowl kicker Nate Kaeding missed three field goals in the game which would have undoubtedly changed the outcome of the game.

Once again, the Chargers let their fans down in the playoffs and once again, the Jets’ Greene had another good day as he rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown.

And then there were four.

The matchups for conference championship weekend are set as in the NFC, the Saints will host the Vikings and the in the AFC, the Colts will host the Jets.

It is the first time since 2002 that the two top seeds in the NFC, the Saints and Vikings, will be facing each other in the championship game.

In the AFC, the Jets enter their game with Indianapolis with a target on their backs, as they were the ones who ended the Colts’ perfect season in week 16 by beating them 29-15.

It will be interesting to see how the Saints offensive line handles the pass rush of the Vikings and what will be even more interesting is how the Vikings defense as a whole, plans on containing the electric Reggie Bush.

A known dual-threat, Bush ran for 84 yards on just five carries last weekend and scored once on the ground while hauling in four passes for 24 yards.

In the AFC championship game, the matchup between Jets shut down corner Darrelle Revis and Colts all-pro receiver Reggie Wayne will also be one to keep an eye on.

Revis has helped the Jets achieve a top-ranked defense this season and has shut down nearly every wide receiver he’s faced. For the Colts to win, they will absolutely have to pass and Revis could make that a hard job.

This Sunday, the Super Bowl will have its teams and two teams will go home. The Jets and Colts start things off Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS, and the Saints and Vikings have the nightcap at 6:40 p.m. on Fox.

Continue Reading:  « Previous12