As it’s 2 hours before kickoff for the NFC playoff game, I thought I’d indulge in some playoff predictions.
New Orleans at Chicago (-3)
The conventional thinking is that a dome team playing outside in cold weather would slow down a high-powered offense like New Orleans’. This case seems to be no exception. However, the equalizer is Chicago’s QB Rex Grossman, who inspires zero confidence. He can easily take the Bears out of the game with his inconsistent, interception-prone play. Also, the Bears’ normally stingy defense has been hit by injuries (safety Mike Brown’s season-ending injury will hurt here), and is susceptible to the pass. Due to the cold weather, this game will be lower scoring than many think.
New Orleans 20
Chicago 17
New England at Indianapolis (-3)
Living here in New Hampshire, talk radio has been non-stop hyping the storylines for this game. Can Manning finally win the big one? Will Vinatieri hurt New England? Can Brady stay undefeated in domes? Is Indianapolis’ suddenly resurgent defense for real? (The answers respectively are no, I hope not, yes, and no).
Give New England the edge on paper in many of the categories. If they don’t turn the ball over, they should win handily. Also, I wouldn’t bet against Brady and Belichick in big game situations.
The storybook ending for the Colts would be if the game comes down to a last-minute Vinatieri field goal. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that.
New England 31
Indianapolis 21
Update:
As several readers have pointed out, I was wrong on both counts.
New Orleans didn’t come ready to play, as evidenced by their early turnover problems. Brees was overwhelmed by the playoff pressure, and as I mentioned, dome teams generally fold in cold weather. Grossman remains unimpressive. New Orleans handed this game to Chicago.
My hats off to the Colts. They had to overcome a 21-3 deficit, as well as Patriot leads of 28-21, 31-28, and 34-31. If someone were to ask me before the game what were the chances that the Colts could do that, I’d say slim. However, Manning needed the game of his life to win, and he came through. The Patriots played well, and were beaten by the better team.
