CollegeBoy 4-0 and going strong...

It's always nice when the week-end goes along just how you said it would, especially when some of the picks were based on entertainment value, as in who I would prefer to see the following week. It almost feels as if I've stumbled onto a conspiracy over the course of this year, perpetrated by the government and the owners to make the games as exciting as possible to...

Oops. Wrong blog. I thought I was writing in my "CollegeBoy's School of Conspiracy" blog.

So who goes to the Super Bowl, CollegeBoy? Well, my original super bowl pick is still alive, so why change it--the Colts VS Saints. Let's take a quick look though at what happened this weekend, beginning with the NFC.

The Saints were a black wall against the green Eagles, Deuce was Loose and could not be brought to the ground, Bush was amazing, and Brees did just enough. Garcia put up a valiant fight, but that false start penalty just destroyed them and you knew, watching, that Philly was just punched in the gut after that, no hope. The Bears-Seahawks was a great game as well...

Actually, all four games this weekend were well worth the price of admission. Any team could have won their game, all the games decided by less than a touchdown. This was one of the more exciting playoff weekends in recent years, and next weekend is shaping up to be just as good, if not better.

Returning back to the games, Alexander had a few fantastic runs that gashed the vaunted Bears D, but ultimately this game was won by Rex Grossman and a kicker who wasn't even in the league last year. A pair of unlikely heroes for good old Chicago. The Seahawks were unable to finish the game, both at the end of the fourth quarter and in overtime, where they received the ball first. A shanked punt and a 30-yard third-down conversion, and the game was over.

So, why do the Saints win next weekend, on the road, in the cold and wind of Chicago? Because the Saints have a great offense and a defense capable of handling the Bears O. I also just do not trust Grossman to lead the Bears to victory, I just can't. He had a good enough game against Seattle, but I just don't trust him. I know defense wins championships, and while the Bears certainly have the better D, I think it's time for the Saints D to step up and lead the Saints to Miami. With Grossman helping them out, it shouldn't be too hard.

Plus, it also would be much more entertaining to watch the Saints. Now, for the AFC.

The Colts, as the blog has already stated after the game on Saturday, are playing great D and doing just enough on offense to win the game. Manning is clearly having his January issues, but the team is winning and that is the most important thing. Their win over Baltimore was a step in the right direction as they bring home-field back into the equation, and you know how big home-field is for a team like the Colts.

Then there are the Patriots, or, as I should say, the mighty Patriots, the Rocky Balboa of the NFL who take a pounding and just keep on bringing it. Bounces and momentum go their way, it's the way of the world, and we need to get used to that fact. Brady was 27-51, for 280 yards, two touchdowns, but THREE INTERCEPTIONS! Who is he trying to be, Peyton Manning? But still, the Patriots won because they forced four turnovers from a team that gave the ball up fifteen times during the regular season, and they forced them at just the right time. That fourth down interception/fumble that gave the Patriots life? Straight kick to the throat of all San Diego fans. The Patriots weathered the Tomlinson storm as best as they could, then relied on Brady who did what he has always done...win the game.

Now it's Patriots Colts for the super bowl, and knowing New England's track record, knowing the history between these teams, knowing all the trends and streaks that are in play for this game, how can I possibly pick the Colts? Because this is the perfect anti-trend play, as all the factors are in place for a New England collapse at the hands of their arch-enemies, Peyton Manning and his Colts.

New England has always been the somewhat lovable underdog, the team that made all the right moves and played their hearts out. Now there is a ridiculous feud between Belichick and Jets coach Mangini, and word of Patriots players imitating Merriman's dance on the Chargers logo after the game, enough to get Tomlinson--near Buddha like Tomlinson--riled up and ready to fight. Hmm...who does that? Oh yeah, T.O. Not the comparison I think Patriots fans want to see. Throw in Bob Kraft giving one of his super bowl rings to Vladimir Putin, not signing the greatest clutch kicker because of pride (who is now lining up against them, oh please oh please kick the game winner against the Patriots with no time left, oh please...), leaving Brady high and dry, and well, you have an organization just asking to be served a slice of humble pie...

And with Peyton Manning, of all people, serving the pie? That is going to hurt. Like hell.

Of course, the Patriots could win after Vinatieri misses the potential game-winner, and I could then continue to hate them passionately for doing everything right. But I don't think that will happen. According to entertainment value, a Saints-Colts game would be pretty f'in ridiculous by my standards, and I would love to see the show those two would put on.

Oh, and just so everyone knows, I have the Saints winning the whole thing. Been saying that for a month or two now, been saying Saints VS Colts, and here we are, so close to having it happen...