The Saints beat the Eagles 27- 24 but NOT the point spread. The underdog Colts won in Baltimore by a score of 15- 6, sending the Ravens back to their nests. Here’s a few things to take from both contests.
For the Colts to win Peyton Manning does NOT have to be all that. Manning has thrown 5 picks in 2 playoff games! It looks as if Tony Dungee has figured out that it’s not all about the QB.
The Adam Vinatieri signing looks as big as it can be. The former Patriots’ kicker scored all 15 points for the Colts against the Red Zone- tough Ravens. With ice in his veins, the ability to enter a whole new realm of concentration and the experience of winning big game after big game, Vinatieri may just be that all-important missing cog in the Colts’ offense.
The Indy “D” has discovered how to stop the run. At least in two straight weeks they have. The total number of rushing yards for both KC and Baltimore against the Colts equaled 100 yards! So it probably doesn’t matter who they face in the next round– the Chargers have an excellent ground attack and the Pats a formidable one– the Colts should have a better than even chance of shutting down or at least controlling their opponents ground game.
The Saints have a truly explosive team on offense. They keep coming at you with a myriad of weapons– Drew Brees, Duece McAllister, Reggie Bush,Marques Colston and Billy Miller.
Both running backs– McAllister and Bush– are also dangerous receivers.
In a career that has spanned almost 20 years, forty-two year old field goal kicker John Carney has had one of his most productive and accurate seasons. He’s still got a strong leg and a whole lot of points behind him and some more in his near future. He was perfect against the Eagles and has been near perfect (92%) this year!
New Orleans has a good enough “D” to take on either the Seahawks or the Bears for the NFC Championship and they possess an offense that can throw points on the board as quickly as any in the league.
By tonight we’ll know who these two winners will meet next week.
Technorati Tags: Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears
