Showdowns to Watch in the Conference Championship Games
Alex Smart Sports
There are only four teams left standing in the NFL in the fight for the Lombardi Trophy. The following is a breakdown of some of the more intriguing match-ups football fans across the world will be taking in throughout the AFC&NFC Championship Games.
New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts (-7.5, 39)
The Jets and Colts duel in a rematch of New York's Week 16 29-15 win at Lucas Oil Field on Sunday afternoon.
Players to Watch
QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: Even though as a quarterback, it's your job to throw the ball all over the field, on Sunday, Manning's job is going to be largely be done before the ball is ever snapped. He's going to have to figure out how to diagnose this always fluid New York defense, which has caused nightmares for opposing teams all season.
RB Shonn Greene, New York Jets: Greene has rushed for 263 yards and two TDs on 44 carries over the Jets' L/2 playoff games, and now he gets to take on a rush defense that ranks 25th in the league. If Indy has problems stopping him, that will limit what Manning and his offense can do. That may be New York's only chance of reaching the Super Bowl.
Betting Trends
New York is 5-0 ATS in its L/5 games against the AFC
New York is 8-2 ATS in its L/10 games as an underdog
Indianapolis is 4-0-1 ATS in its L/5 games against teams with a winning record
Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS in its L/5 home games as favorites of 3.5-10 points
New York is 4-1 ATS in the L/5 meetings against the Colts
The home team is 7-3-2 ATS in the L/12 clashes between these two teams
Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints (-3.5, 53)
The two highest scoring offenses in the NFL duke it out in the Bayou to decide who the NFC's representative will be in Miami for the Super Bowl.
Players to Watch
DE Jared Allen, DT Kevin Williams, and DE Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings: These three may decide the entire game for the Vikings. Between Allen, Williams, and Edwards, they recorded 27.5 sacks in the regular season. Edwards had three more sacks last week against the Cowboys, and he and his cohorts will need to be wrecking havoc in the New Orleans backfield the entire game for Minnesota to have a chance of winning the conference.
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: Though this seems like a bit of a "Duh" statement, this game is clearly going to be won or lost on Brees' arm for the Saints. They probably aren't going to be able to run the ball against the #2 rush defense in the NFL, so it'll be up to the Purdue product to keep the pigskin in the air and have the Saints marching down the field for touchdowns.
Betting Trends
Minnesota is 7-15 ATS in its L/22 road games against teams with a winning home record
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its L/5 road playoff games and 1-4 ATS in its L/5 playoff games as an underdog
New Orleans is 4-0 ATS in its L/4 home games against teams with a winning road record
New Orleans is 11-3 ATS in its L/14 games as favorites of 3.5-10 points
Minnesota is 4-0 SU and ATS in its L/4 meetings with the Saints