Super Bowl XLIV

It is now official. The Saints are the 44th champion of the National Football League.

Writing off of my Doritos cheese  and Utz salt covered notepad, here are the major highlights and the recap of last night’s Big Game.

1st Quarter:

There was a surprising start to the game, as the Saints did not score on their first possession of the game, something that doesn’t happen very often. This did not bode well for the Saints. After a punt, Peyton Manning took over and led the Colts deep into Saints territory, but when they couldn’t convert on a third down. They settled for a field goal. Colts 3-0

Courtney Robey fumbled the kickoff, but it was recovered by a Saints player. The Saints started out well and drove all the way to the 50, then collapsed and had to punt again. Ater a series of big plays by Joseph Addai, Manning flipped the ball to Pierre Garcon in the endzone to put the Colts up. Colts 10-0

2nd Quarter:

Little to no offense as the Saints make a field goal  (Colts 10-3), and then another to end the half with a very defensive game on the viewers’ hands. Colts 10-6

3rd Quarter:

This third quarter started off with something simply amazing. The Saints used on onside kick and recovered it after a fierce fight to start around their own 40. This gave them plenty of momentum and they drove down for a quick touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas for their first lead of the game. Saints 13-10

The Colts came back though and Joseph Addai ran for another touchdown which made it Colts 17-13.

The Saints came back and Garrett Hartley set a record with 3 40+ yard field goals in the Super Bowl. Colts 17-16.

4th Quarter:

The Saints scored again with a pass to Jeremy Shockey for another touchdown. the Saints then converted for two points even though the play was at first called an incomplete pass. Saints 24-17

The it came down to Peyton Manning. He started great and it looked like the game might go into over time. But then on a crucial throw Tracy Porter stepped in front of Reggie Wayne and took it 74 yards all the way to the end zone.

Tracy Porter intercepts the football.

Touchdown! Tracy Porter celebrates the game-clinching interception.

And with that, the Saints became the 44th champions of the National Football League.

Saints 31, Colts 17

Super Bowl Preview

Alright, here we go everyone. This is it. Super Bowl XLIV is less than 3 hours away, and here is 360 Sports Jam coming through once again with a preview of the big game.

Saints

When the Saints pass:

Neither team has a good defense, as both are more the offensive type. Brees can run over the Colts defense. Edge: Saints

When the Saints run:

Again, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas can easily find the holes in this defense of the Colts. Edge: Saints

Colts

When the Colts pass:

Manning and his host of receivers can easily defeat this Saints’ secondary, just like Brees can with the  Colts’ secondary. Edge: Colts

When the Colts run:

The Saints come away victors here. The Colts are a pass-first team and don’t focus on the run as much. Expect the Saints to shut down Addai. Edge: Saints

Special Teams:

Garrett Hartley proved he could kick under pressure, and this game might come down to that. Matt Stover is the veteran though, and I think here it is a tie. Edge: Tie

Coaching:

I think Sean Peyton of the Saints has the better mind and is more creative, where Jim Caldwell lets Peyton Manning do what he wants. Peyton will lead his team to victory. Edge: Saints

Conclusion:

I believe that the Saints have the better team all around, as well as the better defense. The secondary should be able to figure out Manning and his bag of tricks, shut him down, and keep the game score from going too high. Brees and Bush will do the rest.

Pick:

Saints 27-21

Alright, let us see what happens.

NFL Pro Bowl

Not many surprises along both ends of the Pro Bowl spectrum, but there are a few.

Mistake

David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars)– Garrard was the only bad pick this year. I think someone like Joe Flacco should have made it. However, remember that Manning, Rivers, and Brady were the top 3, but none are playing, either because of injury or Super Bowl participation, so Garrard was a lucky injury replacement.

Good Pick

Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)– Rice really deserved it this year. He carried this team, and not to mention my fantasy team, to victory and the playoffs. Yes, they didn’t get far, but he was a big factor in the Ravens’ game plans all year.

Darrelle Revis (New York Jets)– Revis was the top cornerback all year, shutting down big names from all around the league. He really deserved to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Pro Bowl Preview

The NFC has the better QBs and has won the last two Pro Bowl. In the last ten matches, the two conferences are tied 5-5. I look for the NFC to win again in a high scoring duel. Pick: NFC 31-24

NFL Conference Championship Preview

This week pits four teams locked in a battle to decide who will go to the Super Bowl. The Jets visit the Colts in a rematch, while the Saints and Vikings meet for the first time all year.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts rested many of their starters for their last game versus the Jets, but this is the playoffs, and Peyton Manning really makes this team click. With him back in the driver’s seat, we can expect the Colts to be alive after another wave of elimination hits. Pick: Colts 24-17

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

This is the more interesting match up of the weekend. Personally, I think that the Vikings will win this match up.  Containment is crucial for them to win this battle though. They must keep Reggie Bush and his big play ability stuffed, and then they can focus on Brees and his cohorts. But I believe they will be able to pull it off. Pick: Vikings 20-17

Next week will be the Pro Bowl and the week after that the Super Bowl! Check back here the day before both games for previews and analyses!

NFL Playoff Preview

Here is my NFL Week 1 Playoff Preview:

Saturday:

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

The Jets defeated the Bengals last week, but the question is, will they do so again with Cedric Benson being back  for the Bengals? I believe they will, because Darrelle Revis shut down Chad Ochocinco, and he should do so again. The jets have a very powerful run defense, and they should use that to their advantage to move on to the next round. Pick: Jets

Time(ET): 4:30 PM TV: NBC

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

As is always in the playoffs, the games are generally tough to call.  The Cowboys did fairly well last week, and they look like they are ready to go far this season. Probably not Super Bowl material, but very close. They will provide another smashing victory over the Eagles. Pick: Cowboys

Time(ET): 8:00 PM TV: NBC

Sunday:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

The Ravens came close to victory last time they faced New England, but have worsened since then, while Brady has shaken all the rust off his arm. If New England’s defense can hold up and not collapse like last week versus Houston, the Patriots should have an easy win. Pick: Patriots

Time(ET): 1:00 PM TV: CBS

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

I will have to say that the Packers have the better offensive and defensive unit in this match-up as was exhibited last week. Even though their coach doesn’t have the playoff experience Ken Whisenhunt has, their players will still be enough to move on to the next round. Pick: Packers

Time(ET): 1:00 PM TV: FOX

Updates…

Alright, time for some updates.

Tomorrow or Friday I shall post my NFL Playoff Week 1 Preview. This will involve the  games being played Saturday and Sunday. Then coming up is a NBA report (date unscheduled) and NHL report (date unscheduled), as well as after the NFL season is completely over, a recap of the season, as well as my awards compared to the NFL’s awards. There is a big slate of action headed your way.

Brady wins Comeback Player of the Year

According to cbssports.com, Tom Brady has won the 2009-10 Comeback Player of the Year award. Click here.

More Free Agents-MLB

More reports are coming in about the Boston Red Sox reaching a deal with outfielder Mike Cameron for around $7 to $8 million per year.

The Chicago White Sox are also close to getting Juan Pierre of the LA Dodgers in a trade.

The Cardinals are also ramping up talks with Matt Holliday, bringing their offer to a possible $16 million for eight years.

More reports to come.

Free Agents Signings

Reports are coming in that Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey has agreed to a 5 year deal with the Boston Red Sox that is worth around $82.5 million according to espn.com.

ESPN and other sites are also reporting that Roy Halladay has finally been moved from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies, in a three team deal that also sends Phillies ace Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. Toronto would get some top prospects out of the deal, and Seattle would also give prospects to Philadelphia according to this story.

These reports are unconfirmed however, and are from confidential sources reported to be close to the negotiations.

NFL Week 14 Preview

Welcome to my Week 14 Preview! Let’s get right to the games.

It seems that I’ve fallen off the track for Thursday night games. I promise next week I’ll have a post up. Incidentally, I picked the Steelers. *begins to cry*.

At this point in the season my record for picking stands at 127-66, which is 65.8%.

Just a reminder that * means this is my “Game of the Week”. ** means upset pick alert! *** mean that this is my “Who’s going to watch this game?” pick.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

The Saints clinched the division last week with a close call against the Redskins. The Falcons are close to being totally out of the playoff hunt, and the Saints can continue their quest for perfection. they will do so, with their superb passing from Brees, and their defense which knows it needs to step up after last week. Pick: Saints

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens need a win to continue their playoff quest. The Lions are already out of the playoff picture. Who will be more motivated to win? Pick: Ravens

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

These two divisional rivals face off, with the Packers in a very good place to make up divisional ground on the Vikings and to gain ground on wild-card hunting teams. They’ll continue their winning ways with Aaron Rodgers leading the way. Pick: Packers

Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans

If Matt Schaub stays healthy, the Texans will win easily with Schaub leading the pass attack against a struggling Seahawks’ defense. Without him, it will be tougher for the Texans, but they will still manage a victory. Pick: Texans

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have home field advantage all but locked up, and this game would be a helpful win for the Broncos. But the Colts still have the superior players, and the Broncos defense isn’t strong enough to stop Manning and company. Pick: Colts

Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars

This is a tough game to call. I like the Dolphins more so than ever because of their win last week over the Patriots. Also, the Jaguars really depend on Maurice Jones-Drew, and if he isn’t on, the whole team isn’t. Pick: Dolphins

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs***

This is a poor game to watch. But in any case, I think the Bills have the better offense, which should count for something. Pick: Bills

Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are putting up high amounts of points, which Cincinnati can’t really equal. The Vikings’ defense also is stronger. Look for Favre to get closer to the playoffs with a win. Pick: Vikings

Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots

The Patriots’ pass defense is what has killed them the past few games. Thankfully, the Panthers don’t have the greatest passing game in the league. Look for the Patriots to get back on track with a win. Pick: Patriots

New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Jets need a win, and they’ll get an easy one versus the football-challenged Buccaneers. This should be simple for the Jets. Pick: Jets

St. Louis Rams at Tennessee Titans

The Titans were on a roll before they met up with the Colts, but they will get right back where they started in their Cinderella playoff quest. Pick: Titans

Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders

The Redskins are better than they look, and they proved it last week. They are also better statistically in 7 of 8 categories, which should be he nail in the coffin for the Raiders. Pick: Redskins

San Diego Chargers at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are looking like they are back to their December woes, which is always a killer for them. The Chargers will take one more step towards a divisional title with a win. Pick: Chargers

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

The eagles look like the sure bet in the NFC East right now, with all parts of their playoff car clicking. Eli Manning and the unstable Giants’ defense will fail in the face of the foe. Pick: Eagles

Arizona Cardinals at San Fransisco 49ers

The Cardinals are oh so close to the division title, and can take one more step towards it with a win over the 49ers, who don’t seem like they are ready to compete with the big boys just yet. Pick: Cardinals

That’s it! Wednesday I will post my Power Rankings and I promise that I will have a Thursday post.