completely wrong

I predicted a Pats Saints Superbowl. Both teams will be cleaning out their lockers this week while the Bears & Ponnies start preparing for Superbowl XLI.

Bears v. Saints - Bears win 39-14

Note to the producer: I know longer need to know what size cleat the players are wearing. I'll assume if the field is muddy or the weather inclement that they'll be playing with longer spikes in hopes of improved traction.

I've picked against the Bears since the playoffs started. They have proven me wrong two weeks in a row. Their defense showed up and stopped the formerly explosive Saints offense. The Saints lone highlight was Reggie Bush's 88 yard TD run. Their defense was unable to stop Chicago's running tandem of Thomas Jones (19 carries for 123 yards & 2 TD's) and Cedric Benson (24 carries for 60 yards & 1 TD). The Saints might wanna beef up their run defense (23rd in the regular season) this off season. I thought Chicago's inability to score TD's on their first three scoring drives might end up hurting them, especially when the Saints began showing a little life at the end of the first half. The Saints scored a TD at the end of the first half and Bush's run came at the beginning of the third but they let things get out of hand in the fourth quarter. The Bears reeled off 21 unanswered points on the strength of Thomas and Benson while Rex Grossman didn't hurt his team.

One team was set. Could there be a rematch of the 1985 Bears Patriots Superbowl? Could the Patriots avenge their 36 point loss from 22 years ago?

Pats v. Colts - Colts win 38-34

It wasn't meant to be. Two or three plays (i.e. Reche Caldwell's two drops, one a would be TD & a 12 men on the field penalty) the other way and the Patriots could be headed to Miami instead of the Colts. After dominating the first half and going into the locker room with a 21-6 lead the Patriots were outscored by the Colts 32 to 13 in the second half. The fourth quarter felt like penalty kicks in soccer it was going to come down to who blinked, who missed or who had to settle for a field goal.

Colts TE Dallas Clark (6 recptions for 137 yards) was the MVP of the game.

I'm not sure why the Patriots didn't call a time out when the Colts were driving late in the fourth quarter. After the Colts scored, they were faced with the nearly impossible task of driving 79 yards for a touchdown, with less than a minute to go. A time out would have given them 20-30 more seconds which allows time for 2-3 more plays.

I watched the game with a buddy who dressed his infant daughter in a Colts onesy. A really low tactic, what was I suppose to do, run out and find a child to dress in Patriots gear? She soiled the outfit before the half and had to be changed. I thought it was a good sign for Belichick's team but it turned out to be more of a comment on the Colts' first half.

Note: Patriots coach Bill Belichick used Colts DT Dan Kleko(who had a one yard TD grab yesterday) on offense in 2003 and 2004. I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Looking Ahead

The Patriots have two first round draft picks (numbers 24 & 28) in this year's draft courtesy of the Deion Branch trade.

Draft needs include defensive back (especially if Samuels is allowed to bolt), wide receiver (despite using a second round pick on Chad Jackson last year) and linebacker(especially with Tedy Bruschi hinting at retirement).

Asante Samuels is going to cost a bundle to resign. Samuels should be in the Pro Bowl. His ten regular season interceptions tied the league lead. He had two interceptions in the post season including one yesterday for a touchdown.

Junior Seau wants to play next year. Will it be in New England? After suffering a Theismanesque broken arm on November 26th against the Bears, Seau had a plate and 14 screws inserted to hold his arm together but he's already started lifting weights. He would be 38 next season not a permanent solution at linebacker having played primarily on 1st and 2nd down before his injury but depending on his health he could figure in the mix next year.

Superbowl Pick

Colts

The Retirement

Does anyone really think Bill Parcells is done coaching? Had Carrie Underwood's boyfriend not bunggled the snap would he be returning next season or did he have a problem with owner/GM Jerry Jones? Parcels will sit out the 2007 season and return within three years as has been his habit. Until then enjoy the highlights from Parcels' press conferences throughout the years.