NFL Conference Championship Matchups
Written by Marc Jenkins
The most exciting day of quality professional football action is upon us; Conference Championship Sunday. The Super Bowl is definitely the grandest spectacle that the NFL has to offer and arguably the biggest in all sports but the Conference Championships generally provide better matchups and closer games. This year’s Conference Championship games should offer fans stark contrasts as the AFC’s version has two completely different teams locking up while the NFC’s game should be a barn-burner loaded with touchdown pass after touchdown run. The winners of these two games will represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7th in Miami.
AFC Championship Game: #5 New York Jets at #1 Indianapolis Colts Sunday January 24th 3:00PM CBS
In week 16 of the regular season these two team squared off in the same location that will this week (Lucas Oil Field) however there will be some major differences that could result in the outcome and the actual importance of the outcome. In their first meeting the Jets were victorious 29-15, only after the Colts starters were benched with Indy having a 15-10 lead after halftime, this time around it is safe to say that Peyton Manning and the rest of the first string players will continue to stay on the field till the final gun.
During the regular season the Colts ranked ninth in terms of offensive yards per game (363.1), second in passing yards per game (282.2), 32nd in rushing yards (80.9) and seventh in points scored per game (26.0). The Jets on the other hand were 20th in total offensive yards (321.0), 31st in passing yards per game (148.8), first in rushing yards per game (172.3) and 17th in points scored per game (21.8).
On the defensive end the Jets were ranked first yards allowed per game (252.3), passing yards allowed per game (153.7) and points allowed per game (14.8) as well as eighth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (98.6). The Colts defense ranked 18th in yards allowed per game (339.0), 14th in passing yards allowed per game (212.7), 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (126.5) and 8th in points allowed per game (19.2).
The key matchup in this epic showdown of great offense (Colts) versus a dominant defense (Jets) will actually be different than what most people think it will be. The key to this contest will be how the Jets terrific offensive line handle blocking the best defensive end combination in the NFL in the form of Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathis. If the Jets offensive line can keep them at bay then the Jets have a shot at a victory, if Freeny and Mathis are consistently in the backfield then this one will be a blowout.
NFC Championship Game: #2 Minnesota Vikings at #1 New Orleans Saints Sunday January 24th 6:30PM FOX
If you enjoy watching two star prime-time quarterbacks dueling it out for a chance to play in the Super Bowl then this is the game for you. If you like games where defense could be optional than this game is also for you. It will mark the fifth time in NFL history that the two highest scoring teams during the regular season will meet in the postseason which means the Superdome’s scoreboard operator is going to in for a vigorous workout.
During the regular season the Saints ranked first in the NFL in both total offensive yards per game (403.8) and points scored per game (31.9) as well as fourth in passing yards per game (272.2) and sixth in rushing yards per game (131.6). The Vikings weren’t very far behind ranking second in points scored per game (29.4), fifth in total yards per game (379.6), eighth in passing yards per game (259.8) and 13th in rushing yards per game (119.9).
On defense the Vikings had the edge during the regular season ranking sixth in yards allowed per game (305.5), 19th in passing yards allowed (218.4), second in rushing yards allowed (87.1) and 10th in points allowed per game (19.5). The Saints on the other hand ranked 25th in yards allowed per game (357.8), 26th in passing yards allowed (235.6), 21st in rushing yards allowed per game (122.2) and 20th in points allowed per game (21.3).Whichever teams’ defense can show up and halt or at least contain the oppositions’ premium, potent offense then they will present their team with a very good opportunity to play in Super Bowl XLIV.
The key matchup in this game will be Darren Sharper and the Saints secondary attempting to keep Brett Favre from slicing them apart and finding his weapons in the open field. If the New Orleans secondary can defend Sydney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian well then the Saints will be the ones headed to Miami, but if they can’t then Favre will lead his team to Super Sunday.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
