NFL Conference Championship Predictions

I recently discovered that I predicted winners last year, going 0 for 2. This year I have rooting interests in both games. I'm rooting for the hometown Saints and the hometown star, Peyton Manning.

All four teams have strengths and weaknesses. It is amazing as I read the sportswriters predictions, they will pick one team's strength as the reason to pick them and downplay another team's strength in order to avoid picking them. I'm going to pick my rooting interests in both games and here is why:

In the NFC, all teams are flawed. Watching the Saints in preseason, they were awful. What they do have is excellent coaching. What the coach's did was use preseason to identify the best players, keep the best players and play the best players. All this was done without regard to a player's perceived value. Donte Stallworth was sent packing to let 7th round rookie, Marquis Colston from lightly regarded Hofstra, to start. Here's the reasons the Saints will win: 1.) Sean Payton - he will have a great game plan; 2.) Drew Brees - he may be short in stature, but he is head and shoulders better than Rex Grossman; 3.) Deuce McAllister - Deuce is a moose. This big bruiser has toiled in obscurity for years in New Orleans. He is fully recovered from his knee surgery and is just now hitting his stride. He will carry this team on his back to get to the Super Bowl; 4.) Reggie Bush - he is a touchdown waiting to happen. Whether he gets the ball or not, he surely will get the Bears defense' attention. Here's the reason the Bears will lose: Rex Grossman.

In the AFC, the Patriots lucked out a victory in San Diego. They won't be so lucky this weekend. Peyton Manning is due. Tony Dungy has his defense playing their best ball of the season. Good defense plus great offense equals victory.

These are the teams the NFL wants in Miami....the Saints and the Colts!