A look at the NFL: conference championship games and the Pro Bowl
Colts, Saints win, advance to Super Bowl; new date and location for 2010 Pro Bowl
Ray Hupfer
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Sports
By Ray Hupfer
"Playoffs?!...Are you kidding me? Playoffs?!" Yes, Jim Mora, I am talking about playoffs. With the teams for the Super Bowl now having been decided, it's time to take a look back at what happened in the conference championship games, and also take a look at the Pro Bowl, which is taking place this weekend.
AFC Championship
Colts 30 Jets 17
A Week 16 rematch...well, sort of. Back in Week 16, the Colts decided to rest their starters in the second half. The controversial decision cost the Colts their shot at an undefeated season and it kept the Jets' playoff hopes alive.
After just squeaking into the playoffs, the Jets surprised people when they upset Cincinnati on Wild Card Weekend. But the surprises didn't end there as the Jets then traveled to San Diego and stunned the red-hot Chargers, setting up a rematch with the Colts.
The Jets jumped out to an early 17-6 lead, and ever-so-slightly, thoughts of doubt started to creep into the minds of Colts' supporters. But those thoughts were quashed before anything could become of them as Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense came to life, outscoring New York 24-0 the rest of the way. Manning finished with 377 passing yards and three scores, and youngsters Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie combined for 18 catches, 274 yards, and two touchdowns.
With the performance, Manning showed why he, without doubt, is the most valuable player in the NFL today. Never fazed by the early deficit or the stout Jets' defense, Manning calmly made superstars out of relative unknowns, and more importantly, won the game and is back in the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship
Saints 31 Vikings 28
Team A had 310 passing yards, 165 rushing yards, and only four punts. Team B had 189 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, and seven punts. So one has to ask, how is it that Team B is going to the Super Bowl and Team A is going home? The answer is simple-turnovers and penalties. Five Viking turnovers, including a critical interception deep in Saints' territory with under 30 seconds to play as well as several costly penalties late in the fourth quarter and overtime cost the Vikings and Brett Favre a chance at the Super Bowl.
"Playoffs?!...Are you kidding me? Playoffs?!" Yes, Jim Mora, I am talking about playoffs. With the teams for the Super Bowl now having been decided, it's time to take a look back at what happened in the conference championship games, and also take a look at the Pro Bowl, which is taking place this weekend.
AFC Championship
Colts 30 Jets 17
A Week 16 rematch...well, sort of. Back in Week 16, the Colts decided to rest their starters in the second half. The controversial decision cost the Colts their shot at an undefeated season and it kept the Jets' playoff hopes alive.
After just squeaking into the playoffs, the Jets surprised people when they upset Cincinnati on Wild Card Weekend. But the surprises didn't end there as the Jets then traveled to San Diego and stunned the red-hot Chargers, setting up a rematch with the Colts.
The Jets jumped out to an early 17-6 lead, and ever-so-slightly, thoughts of doubt started to creep into the minds of Colts' supporters. But those thoughts were quashed before anything could become of them as Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense came to life, outscoring New York 24-0 the rest of the way. Manning finished with 377 passing yards and three scores, and youngsters Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie combined for 18 catches, 274 yards, and two touchdowns.
With the performance, Manning showed why he, without doubt, is the most valuable player in the NFL today. Never fazed by the early deficit or the stout Jets' defense, Manning calmly made superstars out of relative unknowns, and more importantly, won the game and is back in the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship
Saints 31 Vikings 28
Team A had 310 passing yards, 165 rushing yards, and only four punts. Team B had 189 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, and seven punts. So one has to ask, how is it that Team B is going to the Super Bowl and Team A is going home? The answer is simple-turnovers and penalties. Five Viking turnovers, including a critical interception deep in Saints' territory with under 30 seconds to play as well as several costly penalties late in the fourth quarter and overtime cost the Vikings and Brett Favre a chance at the Super Bowl.
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