Okay, maybe not. But they do have the whole we-are-the-saviors-of-New-Orleans thing going on. I think it's maudlin and overplayed, and while I'd bet no one on the South Side is ready to cut the Saints any slack because of it, it seems to give some people a heartwarming glow. We'll call intangibles a wash, too.
While I'm thinking of it, can we outlaw anything remotely heartwarming in football from now on, please? Where is Lawrence Taylor telling his teammates to "go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs"? That's the football I want to see. F*ck Da Heartwarming.
Anyway, the Saints are the better team. Unless the Bears D from the first half of the year returns and/or Good Rex shows up and/or the weather totally cripples them, the Saints should take this one. Currently New Orleans is getting 2.5 points which means groupthink believes the Saints are the better team other things equal but the Bears get the nod based on the home field. As with the AFC game, that's not out of whack enough to bet. Neither would I bet the rather meager +120 money line on the Saints.
So my latest prediction is Pats over Colts, Saints over Bears, and the Pats over Saints for the Big Prize. Now I'm outta here until the Super Bowl; for real this time.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Anyone else think the Saints should put the eye black vertically on their right cheek in support of Drew Brees?
2 - RJ Elliott
Dude. I know I'm wrong about 42% of the time, but:
Bears Win Big.
It's gonna be like 34 degrees out there on Sunday. The Saints are a warm-weather dome road team. And they barely won at home last week. They're toast.
3 - david mazzotta
I wish I was wrong only 42% of the time.
Dude. I can't imagine the Bears winning big. They aren't the team they were in the first half of the season.
And beating the Eagles (who were probably the best team in the NFC) means a lot more than beating the lame-ass Seahawks (who were one of the worst).
Although, I will be secretly rooting for the Bears because I still hope to spend Super Bowl Sunday in Chicago at Ditka's.
4 - RJ Elliott
Did anyone else see Ditka on PTI the other day? The guy was barely coherent, but he sure sounded like he's seriously thinking about running against Dick Durbin for the Senate in 2008...
5 - alessandro nicolo
Either way, is the NFC going to pull a National League St. Louis Cardinals thingy in the SB?
6 - Mark Saleski
what, you mean that they'll take themselve way too seriously and then be surprised when a superior team comes in a beats the snot out of them? gee, i hope so.
7 - david mazzotta
I'm heading out to watch the late game with TInkerbell, but that Vasher interception seals it.
Four turnovers and an intentional grounding in the end zone. Pathetic.
RJ - I am not worthy. And neither are the Saints.
8 - RJ
I suspect the AFC Championship Game will be a bit closer... :-/
9 - david mazzotta
Wowie Zowie what a game!! I told you you should watch!!
I take solace in the confirmation of myself as a first rate negative indicator.
10 - Matthew T. Sussman
If it makes you feel better*, NE-NO was also my call. I just didn't want a black coach in the Super Bowl.
* - Probably doesn't.
11 - RJ Elliott
I was *cough* 2-0 *cough* this week...
So maybe I'm only wrong 41% of the time? :-/
12 - david mazzotta
Black coaches are the new Jerome Bettis homecoming. I can't wait to hear Michael Irvin's take.
I'm glad to see Dungy in. He deserves it after building up that Tampa team years ago only to have Coach Chuckie end up reaping the benefit.