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Bears quiet doubters, Colts end Manning curse

  • Published
  • By Pigskin Prognosticator
  • on my way to South Beach
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  This season hasn't ceased to amaze me.

All year there have been great games and many upsets and the Conference Championship games kept this trend.

Let's jump into the first game this past weekend, which featured New Orleans at Chicago in a match up of a high-flying offense versus a tough defense.

Speaking of defense, how can you lose a game 39-14 when you held the opposing quarterback to 144 yards on 11 for 26 passing? Committing four turnovers, that's how! Throw in the fact the Saints rushed the ball a total 12 times, and you're in a hole too deep to climb out of.

This game shocked many, considering the experts predictions had the Saints winning this game even though they were the lower seed. With the Bears' struggles at quarterback and defense the second half of the season, many questioned if their record was so good because of talent or the lack of competition on their schedule.

The Bears rolled into the NFC Championship after consuming the cupcakes on their schedule and boasting a top five defense. While everyone doubted Chicago, they were busy preparing for the Saints.

Meanwhile the Saints seemed like the may have spent a little too much time on Bourbon Street after last week's win over the Eagles. Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Pro Bowler Will Smith may have stayed up past their bedtime because they couldn't get close to Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.

While the Bears eventually ran away with the game, the key play of the game was a dump-off pass to Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush. He took the pass 88 yards to the end zone to bring the Saints within two points of the Bears. What was defining about the play for Chicago was as Bush out ran the defense for the score, he turned and pointed at the defense, taunting them.

After this play, Chicago seemed to be on a mission to win this game. After being embarrassed by the rookie, Chicago dismantled New Orleans on their way to the win.
The later game was a blow-out at first, but close in the end between New England and Indianapolis. The Patriots at one point held a 21-3 lead over their rival Colts, but some half time adjustments by Colts coach Tony Dungy brought the offensive juggernaut roaring back.

Indianapolis scored 17 unanswered points to tie the game at 21 apiece in the third quarter. From that point the teams traded touchdowns and field goals. New England scored for the final time on a field goal to put them ahead 34-31 with a little under four minutes to play, but it was enough for Colts quarterback Petyon Manning and the offense.

The Colts offense came out and executed perfectly on the 80-yard drive capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Colts running back Joseph Addai. The score put Indianapolis on top for good and ended Manning's wait for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Well, with the bye week here it's time to break out the last 40 Super Bowl games and reminisce as the big game approaches.

Now let's get out there and watch some football!