NFL Playoffs and more

The playoffs have officially begun, and since I'm a little late I have the benefit of not picking the Bengals or Eagles in my Super Bowl matchup (they weren't there anyway, don't worry). So without further ado, the Super Bowl will be the Indianapolis Colts defeating the Minnesota Vikings (yes I realize this will be on the site and visible to anyone and I will probably be completely wrong, but who cares). There is what I believe to be sound reasoning behind these picks, which I will go into now.

In the AFC, the Colts are the team to come out not because of their 14-2 record and number 1 seed, but because I think they will have the best matchups to get there. All the pundits say the Chargers are the kryptonite of the Colts, but seem to forget that they are very likely to have to play the Patriots first. This is the same Patriots team that beat them in the 2006 and 2007 playoffs. The Chargers haven't been to a Super Bowl in the LT era, and I don't expect them too (and I know they're hot, but they were hot as a number 1 seed, but still lost). So the AFC championship game comes down to the Colts-Pats assuming the Colts can beat the Jets. The rematch will be fun to watch considering the regular season game was decided by 4th and 2. I'll take the Colts at home in the playoffs with Peyton Manning, so they go to the Super Bowl.

In the NFC, the Vikings were a popular pick 6 weeks ago, but have fallen off with recent losses. However, they still possess the best combo of running attack, defense, and big play passing of any team in the NFC. Adrian Peterson has had some fumbling problems, but give him a week to rest and look over the film and he should be able to adjust. Favre may be old, but he's still putting the ball in the air well, and Jared Allen, the Williams wall, and a serviceable back 7 will keep them in most games if the offense struggles. The other teams in the NFC all have noticeable flaws outside of the Vikings, including the Saints, who haven't been playing the same style of defense lately and can't hope to score points in bunches like they have been. The other teams just don't compare right now, and I think the Vikings will end up coming out victorious.

What a matchup the Super Bowl could be. Manning-Favre would be legendary. The guy who owns all the records versus the guy who is about the break them all. The power running team vs the high flying passing team. The stout run defense vs the speedy pass defense. This would be a fun game to watch, and I can only hope it happens so I look like a genius.

Only other thought I have is my total and utter surprise at the halfway point of the NHL season that the Colorado Avalanche are not only competitive but in position to take a top 4 seed in the playoffs. This is a team I had almost given up on for the season because of the grim outlook (and by give up on I mean that I wasn't gonna be upset when we lost, not that I stopped being a fan). Instead Duchene has been great as a rookie and Stastny, Wolski, and Hejduk are contributing above and beyond what was expected. I can't wait to see this young team develop into a powerhouse in the Northwest Division.