Championship Predictions

So, after two rounds I'm 5-3 in predicting outcomes. Too bad the Seahawks and the Colts let me down last week. Especially Indy. Way to defend the home turf there Indy. And while we're at it, a big hand to the Colts' fans who booed the Punt, Pass, and Kick winner wearing a Patriots jersey. Careful Colts' fans, your insecurity is showing. OK, enough mockery.

San Diego at New England: So, who wants to be bold and pick the Chargers to win? Part of me would like to, but with Tomlinson and Gates both at less than 100% if they even play, I have a hard time believing they've got a chance. Then again, Rivers might not be quarterbacking (As Kissing Suzy Kolber says: Feel the Volektricity!), and who knows? Maybe Norv Turner has entered some sort of fugue state where he's coaching on a plane far beyond our ken. Unfortunately, that level may not be beyond Belichek's ken, and he's got the talent, and the homefield. To a certain extent I'd like to think the Pats would start feeling the pressure of the 19-0, and maybe make them tighten up, but I don't see it happening. New England 35, San Diego 20. {Update: The Chargers were more game than I gave them credit for. Stayed in it all the way into the 4th quarter before they faltered. Final score - Pats 21, Chargers 12}

New York at Green Bay: I know the Giants are hot right now, and that Eli is 9-1 on the road this year, but their secondary is banged up, and I believe the Packers are the better team anyway. Yeah, Favre is still fully capable of having that multi-interception game I predicted last week, but really, who are you going to put more faith in at this point to not screw up, Favre or Eli Manning? Eli's been playing better recently, but the two playoff games have been against one team that basically took the last few weeks of the regular season off, and another team that had played out of sync enough they might as well have. The Packers, conversely, look like a team that has all their parts working fine right now. Plus, I think the Packers will be willing to run or keep extra blockers in to keep the Giants pass rush off Favre, compared to the Cowboys who adopted the Mike Martz school of offense last week: Send out a bunch of wide receivers, and don't keep anyone extra in to block, even after it becomes clear your QB is getting battered silly by the pass rush (witness Romo's throwing the ball out of bounds when there was nobody near him yet). Packers 27, Giants 24. {Update: It seems I gave the Packers coaching staff more credit than they deserved. At the 2 minute warning, they've run the ball a grand total of 13 times. This even though every pass Favre throws seems to be coming out too low, or too short. Lawrence Tynes with the chance for the game-winning FG, and he shanked it. I won't be surprised if Coughlin kills Tynes before OT starts. Assuming he isn't too cold to move. And early in OT, Favre throws another pick, and hey it's time for the Lawrence Tynes Show! And he made the kick! Good for him, maybe Tom Coughlin won't cut out his liver and sacrifice it to his dark gods. Final score: NY 23, GB 20}

Well that's just great. Now the only thing standing between the patriots and 19-0 is Eli Manning? How depressing. If the Pats win, we have to hear from their annoying fans. If the Giants win, then that's consecutive Manning Bros. Super Bowls, and we're on the verge of Apocalypse. Oh dear.