My Picks for 2010 NFL Playoffs: Super Bowl XLIV

K.I.S.S. - Keep it simple stupid.

High scoring, light on defense. Cliches out in full force: turnovers, line play, great QBs being great.

Peyton Manning - soon to be the greatest QB of All-Time - is too much for the mediocre Saints defense, and he out guns Drew Brees and a surprisingly balanced New Orleans attack. The Saints ground game looks good early but can't keep up with the high-flying Colts.

PREDICTION: Colts 38, Saints 27

AMERICA'S TEAM?

By Your Athletic Supporter, Jack Strap

Years back they said that the Dallas Cowboys were AMERICA'S TEAM. I never understood that, but realized that maybe that was because I was an Eagles fan & simultaneously a Cowboys-hater. In the midst of the Jerry Jones era, I'm not hearing that anymore which is good, but think it's time for a real AMERICA'S TEAM & would like to nominate the New Orleans Saints.

My case for the Saints as AMERICA'S TEAM starts with the severe strife that New Orleans has gone through since Hurricane Katrina. This football franchise has had a lot more disappointments (i.e. Aints) than success, but now they are in their inaugural Super Bowl. Their QB Drew Brees also seems like a really good guy in addition to being a top-rate QB. So let's kick-off the Saints as AMERICA'S TEAM with everybody getting behind them to upset Peyton Manning (Who Dat?) & his Colts (who dem?). And following that will be the greatest Super Bowl celebration in history--think Mardi Gras on Bonds/Sosa/McGwire Steroids.

2007 NFL Predictions - Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts - Super Bowl XLI Champions. Big deal. They won't repeat. You cannot forsake the defense every year and expect to win the Super Bowl every year. Don't get me wrong, they will EASILY win the AFC South (probably by at least 2 games). But when you lose Nick Harper (CB-Titans), Jason David (CB-Saints), Cato June (LB-Buccaneers), and Mike Doss (S-Vikings), among others, you're going to suffer. The Colts do not care about their defense (except for Dwight Freeney, who they broke the bank for). Their D was horrible last year before Anthony (Booger) McFarland (torn ACL, out for year) and Bob Sanders made a huge turn around in the playoffs. Besides Freeney and Sanders, the rest of the defense is young and relatively unproven. There is absolutely no way their D is better than last year. Also, the loss of Tarik Glenn is going to hurt initially. Luckily for them they addressed the LT position in the draft by selecting Tony Ugoh. But the original plan was for him to be Glenn's understudy for 2+ years. Now he is thrown into the fire from week 1 his rookie year. There will be growing pains. And Peyton "I think I'm a God" Manning will be sacked more (that brings a smile to my face). But the Colts will win their division but will not have a bye.

Prediction: 1st, AFC South