The Office Pool: Conference Championships

by Rick Rockwell

Last week proved going with the Vegas favorites and home field advantage isn't a guarantee. So back to the drawing board. The solution? This week, go with your heart and back the underdogs! So here are this week's picks in the NFL playoff prediction game.

Last Week: .500
This Season: .591

Game of the Week: Patriots at Colts

My bold predictions proved to be wrong. Both of these teams have survived from the first round of the playoffs and the Chargers, the team many felt (count this column among them) was the best team in the National Football League (NFL) are now gone. This is one of those classic match-ups that has so much history that already this game is imbued with more hype than is usual in the playoffs. Part of that is there are so many questions to resolve. We know that the Colts can beat the Patriots, as they have the last few times these titans have clashed. But can they really beat a quality team like the Patriots twice in a season? Although the quarterbacks for both these teams are no doubt headed to Canton eventually, will they both have sub-par outings like last week? And if either of them does, will their defense come to the rescue again? The Colts defense is playing inspired football and the difference is safety Bob Sanders. But if an armchair quarterback can see that, think that Patriots Coach Bill Belichick hasn't noticed? And that he hasn't already devised a scheme to neutralize Sanders? Belichick has three rings for a reason. As a leader he has inspired a dynasty to act like a ruthless, hungry newcomer. (Sure, only five remaining Patriots were on that first Super Bowl team, but they are all in key positions.) And the question for the Colts is which Patriots offense will show up? The Patriots have successfully used at least three schemes. Last week, they used a spread and pass-first plan. My guess: you will see plenty of running back Corey Dillon and my favorite linebacker Tedy Bruschi will deliver some key hits. Finally, when you have Tom Brady at quarterback, you can never be counted out. The Patriots win in an upset but by less than a touchdown.

Saints at Bears

Vegas has given the Bears a tepid endorsement with a line of two points. Again, go with the upset. The Saints rushing attack is a monster: Running back Deuce McAllister rolls like a tank up the middle (despite having all-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher to anchor that spot for the Bears, the Seahawks exposed that area as a defensive weakness) while rookie sensation Reggie Bush goes outside, around, over-the-top, and even upside down. The Saints defense is not great but can make stops at key times, so look for a game like the one last week at Soldier Field: plenty of scoring by both sides. But in the clinch, who would you rather have at quarterback? Rex Grossman or Drew Brees? The Saints have the offensive weapons to make the difference. They should win by less than a touchdown.

All of the games last week were sensational, so these should prove to be great too. Enjoy!

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