lights out ?

Maybe at your house Mr. Merriman.

NFL Playoffs
Three games were decided by a field goal.

Pats v. Chargers
Head coach Marty Shottenhiemer looked and sounded beaten in his post game press conference.

"I would never react like that. I was very upset," Tomlinson said. "When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."~LaDainian Tomlinson

Please Mr. MVP, give us a lesson in class, would it be Sean Merriman's victory prediction or his post sack chicken dance. Or maybe it was in limiting sales of tickets to the game to southern California residents. If an opponent had referred to himself as "lights out", in fact shaved it in his hair, predicted my teams' loss two weeks in a row and danced after he sacked my quarterback, I think I might do my own dance upon victory. Respect is a two way street LT. As for the swipe at Belichick, we'll just chalk that up to your lack of class.

Merriman was almost invisible yesterday. He finished with two tackles including one sack and no assists. Fellow linebackers Sean Phillips (2 tackles, 1 assist, a sack & a forced fumble) and Donnie Edwards (10 tackles, 3 assists & 1 interception) both had bigger games.

New England punter Todd Sauerbrun bailed out the Patriots all day.

Bears v. Seahawks
I predicted a Bears loss. I was wrong. What happened to Seattle tight end Jerramy Stephens? After grabbing five passes for 77 yards and two TD's against the Cowboys he had two catches for 18 yards against the Bears.

Colts v. Ravens
Seven field goals of total offense equals a boring game for those not in the Baltimore or Indianapolis camps. Peyton looked a little like Eli on his two interceptions. Indy's defense appears like they're here to stay.

Saints v. Eagles
In his day after interview, Saints head coach Sean Payton looked like he had partied pretty hard after the Saints win over the Eagles.

NFC Championship - Saints v. Bears
It's been a while.

The Saints have never been to the title game while prior to yesterday the Bears hadn't won a playoff game since Ronald Reagan was in office. The Saints would be the feel good story. Can the Bears defense contain the high flying Saints' offense?

AFC Championship - Pats v. Colts
Take your pick of hypeable angles: Peyton Manning v. Tom Brady, Manning's history versus the Patriots, Adam Vinetieri's change of address, the Colts' five pro bowl selections v. the Patriots' one, will Manning and the Colts offense regain their explosiveness?

Manning & Brady were both harassed and confused by strong defenses in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Superbowl pick - Pats v. Saints