AFC & NFC Championship Games

Three more games. Two of which will be played this Sunday. Super Bowl XLII is coming.

We had two upsets last week (sort of). The San Diego Chargers defeating the Indianapolis Colts was definitely an upset. And many were surprised that the New York Football Giants were able to defeat Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jessica Simpson and the Cowboys.

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Single digit weather. The Frozen Tundra in full effect. Destiny for Brett Favre?

Eli Manning and the Giants have made a improbable run in these playoffs. No one thought Tom Coughlin could get this team as far as they have gone, especially with an inconsistent Eli Manning as their quarterback. But, the team has become a strong unit and are looking to upset the Packers in Lambeau.

I am taking the Giants in this one. Do not get me wrong, in my heart I want Favre to get a ring this year, but I think the Giants have caught lightning in a bottle.

Manning is handling the football like his older brother, their defense is solid, and they are confident in what they are doing. The cold weather may get to Manning in the beginning of the game, but Brandon Jacobs will help Eli by carrying the load.

The Giants defensive front line will be chasing Favre all day, more than the Seahawks did last week. But expect to see them have success in chasing him down.

Hey, if you cannot have the older Manning in the big game, then why not have the younger?

Giants win 27-23.

San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots
Philip Rivers may be out. LaDanian Tomlinson is banged up. Antonio Gates is probably out.

The Chargers are trusting Billy Volek in this one? Sure, he was able to take out the Indianapolis Colts, but he will be going up against the juggernaut offense of the Patriots.

The Patriots are on a mission and I think the only hope of stopping them is in one of the NFC teams. The Chargers are too beat up despite the talent on their team. I have not watched any of the Patriots games recently because it depresses me to watch them pull out victories week after week.

Patriots win 31-17.

Damn That Was Ugly

Yesterday was not a good day for Mr. Peyton Manning. A NFL team should not have a shot in hell to win a game any time a quarterback throws six INTs.

But somehow, the Colts had the opportunity to take a one-point lead with 1:31 left in the game with Adam Matthew Vinatieri lining up for a field goal. One of the most clutch field goal kickers then found a way to kick the 29-yard chip shot wide right. Game over. Or not.

Manning still had a chance to make a miracle run down the field after the Colts held the San Diego Chargers to a three-and-out. But with no timeouts and average receivers on the field, Manning had no choice but to throw it to a Chargers player instead, for his sixth interception.

Chargers win, 23-21.

The Chargers played well in the first half, mainly special teams and their defense. Philip Rivers had a below average game, throwing for 104 yards, two interceptions and zero TDs.

They did not score a point in the second half and were primed to be caught by the Colts.

Unfortunately for Manning, the Chargers defense shut down Joseph Addai and the Colts run game, so he had to throw for much of the day. Never a bad thing for Manning, but he was without three consistent receivers: Dallas Clark, Marvin Harrison, and Anthony Gonzalez.

Manning got to throw to Bryan Fletcher, Ben Utecht, Aaron Moorehead, and Craphonso Thorpe. Yesterday was Thorpe's first NFL catch in his career. Yes, Manning had Reggie Wayne as well, but one receiver can only do so much while being double covered.

Just makes you realize that a quarterback does not make a team. Manning was lost without his normal receivers. He had to acquaint himself to the receivers during the game and looked like his little brother on the day. Okay, that was an unjustified shot, as Eli is not that bad, but Peyton did not look like Peyton the day.

Tom Brady is on fire this year because he has a 21-year-old version of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth to throw to. Last year he had the dude with the bugged out eyes in Reche Caldwell (side note: I forgot dude's name so I googled "bug eyed patriots receiver" and his name came up immediately, classic).

I say the Colts win last night's game if they had Dallas Clark playing in the game. There were ugly dropped passes that could have changed the game.

It was my first NFL game that I have attended and could not have asked for a better time. Tailgating for a good five hours (albondigas, carne asada, rib eye, coors light), train ride, and got heckled a little.

You know how the camera shakes during the television broadcast when the crowd is going nuts? Well, that is the realness, as I felt that going through my body when the crowd was trying to make Manning and Co. deaf.

Weekly NFL wrap up coming after tonight's MNF great matchup of the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.