It’s down to Final Four, Mike Smith will break down winners
Peyton Manning faces the Jets' top-ranked defense.
Brett Favre will battle the noise in New Orleans
The two best Sundays of the NFL season are the first one and this one.
The first Sunday is filled with hope. Today theoretically determines the two best teams in football, with the NFC and AFC championships. Generally the games live up to the hype — unlike the Super Bowl, which too often is less entertaining than the commercials.
Both games have great story lines. In the AFC, the New York Jets haven’t lost a game since losing to the Falcons last month. (Afterward, the distraught Jets coach, Rex Ryan, said: “This obviously is t0ugh because now we’re obviously out of the playoffs, and it’s unfortunate.”) But even with the league’s No. 1 defense, it’s difficult seeing the Jets upsetting Indianapolis. Even if they slow down Peyton Manning, it’s hard to see the Colts scoring less than 20 points, or New York scoring even that many.
The NFC game is harder to call. The Minnesota Vikings are a better overall team than the New Orleans Saints, if only because of their defense (No. 6 vs. No. 25). But having covered games in almost every stadium and arena in the country, I can tell you that none is louder than the New Orleans Superdome, particularly after the fans have had several hours to “prep” on Bourbon St. That’s something Brett Favre will have to deal with. (The Metrodome in Minneapolis is close to the Superdome in noise level, but fans obviously are quiet when the Vikings have the ball.)
This might be a prediction stemming more from desire than my head. But I’ll go with the Saints. (Favre winning would justify — in his mind — all of his prima donna actions leading up to this season. My stomach couldn’t take that.)
Drew Brees and the offense seem to show us something new every week. The team has shown a t0ughness and resolve this season that often has been missing in the past. Suffice to say, the win would be a huge boost for a city that needs it, and for a franchise that never has been to the Super Bowl.
When the games are over, I’ll have Falcons coach Mike Smith break it all down. I plan to speak to Smith after each game for a column that will be posted tonight. If you have any particular questions you want me to ask Smith, let me know.
Until then, I’ll be here watching the games and blogging live (from my couch). Coffee time. Back in a few minutes.
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510 comments Add your comment
2BT
January 24th, 2010
2:22 pm
“Why did Peacocke take that shot?”
Dunno, but he might’ve just won it for us with that Charge Foul on FSU
who dat grey haired QB?
January 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
Saints by 27
Sonny Clusters
January 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
Okay, Jeff, we understand you’re blogging from the sofa. We was always sharper when we was at our desk. Will the AJC send you to the Super Bowl or will you be covering that one from the sofa, too? Either way, we know you will do a fine job. We’ve been reading you since we was a baby.
JabboRockefeller
January 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
I don’t think the Aints’ OL/RBs can handle the Vikings’ rush.
And Favre is on fire. I believe it’s one of those thangs that was just meant to be. Minnesota, by 24…
corkylikesbeer
January 24th, 2010
2:26 pm
what kind of play will the brilliant head coach of the ramblin wreck draw up….paul hewitt is a x and o’s type of coach
JabboRockefeller
January 24th, 2010
2:27 pm
I despise Favre, and the Vikes, BTW
JP
January 24th, 2010
2:27 pm
Go Saints! Put Favre on the Ground..he’s had his time.
JabboRockefeller
January 24th, 2010
2:28 pm
No love lost for the Aints either…
falcon71
January 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
JEFF its not coffee time your editor cant see you ITS BEER TIME
who dat grey haired QB?
January 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
Minnesota is 4-4 on the road and got pounded by Carolina and Arizona,
the Saints will clobber them again.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
2:33 pm
SLP — Smith’s not going to talk about Vick…. And folks, for what it’s worth, when I asked about potential questions to Smitty, it really more about games today. Not that he would directly answer any draft questions anyway. … By the way, SLP, Since Vick is on another team’s roster (Philly), he can’t talk about him anyway.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
JabboRockefeller — Reeves is best coach Vick ever had. If Vick goes to Buffalo, I’m sure Chan Gailey will reach out to Reeves for advice.
stinkie
January 24th, 2010
2:38 pm
Leslie Visser has faded into the sunset and now has the perfect face for radio.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
Falcon71 — True. But if I try to write later after several beers, my editor will find out. It will be kinda obvious.
SLP
January 24th, 2010
2:47 pm
Sorry, Jeff. Forgot about those rules.
SLP
January 24th, 2010
2:50 pm
Anyway, I think Manning will have a pretty tough day, say a 93. rating against the Jets. Certainly not a typical Peyton Manning type day.
Falcon 34
January 24th, 2010
2:55 pm
Jeff – Great article as always. Isn’t WiFi one of the most beautiful inventions…..ever? Completely agree with your pick of Sergio Kindle for the Falcons first round draft pick this year. Would be happy with Sean Weatherspoon or Rolando McClain as well.
Two Quick Questions
1) – Given the choice of Kindle or Bulaga who do you think they’d take?
2) – Have you heard anything about this possible Jamaal Anderson-Ted Ginn Jr. trade rumor?
Saint Clarkston
January 24th, 2010
3:04 pm
I know who the Northeast-centric media is pulling for. They are all
just giddy with excitement over the prospect of the Jets making it to
the Super Bowl.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:05 pm
Falcon34 — Thanks. Actually, that was Mel Kiper who projects Kindle as the Falcons pick. (CLICK HERE FOR MOCK DRAFT: http://tinyurl.com/ya3xy99) … I don’t know Dimitroff’s draft board in terms of which player is ranked higher on pure talent. But if it’s even close, Falcons have to go with Kindle in my opinion, simply because he helps the defense.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:07 pm
Saint — are you as offended by the Sanchez-Namath comparisons as I am?
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 24th, 2010
3:12 pm
Jeff
The Sanchez-Namath comparisons are ludicrous in my humble view. They should give it a few years before making pronouncements like that.
uberVU - social comments
January 24th, 2010
3:14 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by JeffSchultzAJC: We’re blogging live (early) on AFC and NFC title games. http://bit.ly/6SaJ28…
Colts18
January 24th, 2010
3:15 pm
How about Coach Ryan pulling the “lack of respect” card because the Colts rested players in week 17? Is he reaching there?
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:15 pm
Can’t believe these are the same Jets who lost to the Falcons.
Colts18
January 24th, 2010
3:16 pm
No Good!
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:16 pm
Jay . . . Feely …. No good.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:17 pm
Colts-18 — When you’re a coach, you reach for anything for motivation.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
Colts cheerleaders … Who knew?
Colts18
January 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
I get that for high school and college, but I would think professionals don’t fall for that sort of stuff as hard.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:25 pm
Colts have 3 yds in two possessions.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:26 pm
Third and 8 and they run off tackle?
Bravissimo
January 24th, 2010
3:27 pm
Theyre just sizin em up Jeff..:-)
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:30 pm
Bravissimo — Looks like it.
Colts18
January 24th, 2010
3:32 pm
Did I hear them say Addai was being taken to the locker room?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 24th, 2010
3:32 pm
It’s amazing how mediocre the Falcons fans are, gloating how proud they are with the direction of the team, yet if you line up the following most recent “ROOKIE” coaches, their coach stands out for the wrong reasons:
- John Harbaugh
- Rex Ryan
- Jim Caldwell
- Mike Smith
Mike Smith is the only one with ZERO playoff wins and ZERO Championship game appearances and ALL of the them EXCEPT Mike Smith, led their teams to the Championship Game in their rookie seasons, two of which with ROOKIE QBS.
I know what you are thinking, the Falcons have a terrible defense, but the Jets defense was not good in 2008, yet in ONE season, Rex Ryan turned them into the NUMBER ONE defense in the NFL, yet Mike Smith, whom was a supposedly defense guru in Jacksonville, yet in 2 years the defense seems even worse than it did in 2008, which basically was the defense handed to him.
So if Falcons fans are indeed happy with the direction the franchise is headed, then I’m sure the Jets, Colts & Ravens fans are saying “I guess that’s why they are the laugh of the NFL”
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
Wow — why can’t Michael Jenkins make that catch?
waw
January 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
Question for Smith:
How do you compare the quarterbacks ‘big game’ performances, and what do you see in Matt Ryan that says he will be a good ‘big game’ QB?
Bravissimo
January 24th, 2010
3:37 pm
Coach Smith..give joke an answer…were tired of his rants.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 24th, 2010
3:37 pm
waw
January 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
Question for Smith:
How do you compare the quarterbacks ‘big game’ performances, and what do you see in Matt Ryan that says he will be a good ‘big game’ QB?
“That’s a very good question”
I would be very interested in that answer!
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:39 pm
Choke — Not now. Please.
JTH
January 24th, 2010
3:39 pm
Playoff games are fun, would be nice to see the Falcons. I’m pretty sure we will next season.
The injuries really killed them this year, but I like the direction that Dimitroff and Smith are taking the Falcons. At first I was worried about the absolute gutting of the defense but it seems like it’s working out alright.
I’m picking Indy and the Vikes for the SB, with Vikes winning 34-30.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:41 pm
Moral victory for Jets. Three Colts possessions, one field goal.
Football weather
January 24th, 2010
3:44 pm
Anyone have an Atlanta weather update? I haven’t seen that stormtracker of Lagrange in over 3 minutes!
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:46 pm
Jets found their offensive mismatch: Edwards vs. rookie. … Wow.
Jeff Schultz
January 24th, 2010
3:46 pm
No kidding. I’m sick of tornado warnings in Troop County.
Bat Masterson
January 24th, 2010
3:47 pm
So Sonny has been reading you since he was a baby Jeff. How long have you been with the AJC? Sonny must have been an exceptional baby.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 24th, 2010
3:47 pm
Now that’s how a Franchise quarterback leads his team in BIG games.
Way to go Mark Sanchize!
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 24th, 2010
3:48 pm
Mmmm…..thats Troup County.
Barkin'Dog
January 24th, 2010
3:50 pm
Jeff Schultz — these are the same Jets who lost to the Falcons.
I’ve been talking about that game for 2 weeks – since the Jets beat Cincy the 2nd time. Gives Falcons fans hope, as they manhandled the Jets in the Meadowlands with a QB with a bad foot, no RB and missing defensive players. Granted, the Jets missed a couple of FGs (deja vu in this game). But, the Falcons will play with any team in the years ahead… especially with a QB with the heart of a lion (and a noodle arm, acc. to Choke).
Mike "ROIDS" Vick
January 24th, 2010
3:51 pm
Good thing I was outed not only as a dog murderer but the cheating phony that I am. WOOF!