The favorites held up their end of the bargain on Saturday, but then on Sunday all hell broke loose.
Nobody expected the Colts to lose. Nobody. I don’t remember seeing a single expert pick against Indy.
As a matter of fact, the Colts were the only unanimous choice among Bleacher Report NFL writers.
But that, as some blowhard told me on ESPN tonight, is why they play the game.
Indianapolis Colts 24, San Diego Chargers 28
I have to be honest with you: I feel extremely cheated by the outcome of this game. I was looking forward to New England vs. Indianapolis.
There hasn’t been a sports disappointment this big since the Patriots knocked off the Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game in 1985, or the Houston Rockets knocked off the LA Lakers in 1986.
In those examples, the fans were robbed of a great matchup, and were instead treated to complete blowouts.
This is a disappointment of epic proportions.
Can’t fault Peyton Manning, who actually played one of his better playoff games. The blame falls on the Colts’ overrated and undersized defense.
Fraud Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders was nowhere to be found...except for the play when he couldn’t get up.
To me, the Defensive Player of the Year should make a couple of big plays in his team’s biggest game. Bob Sanders didn’t, and his team gave up a three-point fourth quarter lead to Billy Volek and Darren Sproles.
Of course, you boo a 13-year-old girl and I guess you get what you deserve. Nice job, Colts fans.
As LaDainian Tomlinson would say, that wasn’t very classy. I guess it comes from the head coach.
The Chargers had better get healthy real quick, or next Sunday is going to be a coronation of an 18-0 football team instead of the classic AFC Championship Game we were cheated out of by the maybe-retired Dungy, the soon-to-be-retired Harrison, and the embarrassing Colts’ defense.
New England Patriots 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 20
Welcome to the NFL, Laurence Maroney.
For a while, I thought the Patriots had dug up Corey Dillon, dunked him in the fountain of youth, and put him in Maroney’s uniform. A very impressive game for the running back nobody was talking about coming in.
Maroney outplayed Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. He was the best running back on the field Saturday.
Clearly, he’s been saving his best football for the winter, because this isn't the same player we saw in the fall.
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
John Fennelly about 1 year ago
A predictable Saturday followed by an unpredictable Sunday. Now comes the hard part for the Giants and Chargers. Going not only into unfriendly confines but unfriendly weather as well. I don't see either of them winning....
The Chargers' defense played well enough to offset their injuries on offense. That won't be enough this week. They need to firing on all cylinders. The Giants have another injury in their already embattled secondary. That's bad news when you're next opponent is Brett Favre.
If anyone predicted these 2 teams would be facing each other in the NFC Championship Game before the season, please step forward - it's medication time!! The Packers? Isn't Brett Favre done yet? Where's their running game? The Giants? No Tiki? And now no Shockey? fuhgettboutit
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Sean Crowe about 1 year ago
I think the Giants have a puncher's chance. They seem custom built to play in crappy conditions. It'll be interesting, anyway.
Not sure what the think about San Diego. Except that if Norv is smart (and we're still not sure he is) he'll ducktape Philip Rivers' mouth shut this week....
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Paul Gotham about 1 year ago
Where to start...gee let me think. IT IS A GREAT DAY TO BE A GIANT FAN. I do not care what happens next week. It was all worth it to see the look on Jerry Jones's face when McQuarters made the interception.
How 'bout Terry Glenn - rehabs his tail off to come back for this.
Was it my imagination or did Crayton give up on a couple of balls - particularly that go-route on the last drive? Do you think Parcells would have had him on the bench?
How friggin' good is the Patriot O-line? Osi, Strahan, and Tuck were in the backfield yesterday more often than Marion Barber. Against the Pats they got nothing.
Colts - Bolts - did the Colts give up on the interception at the end of the half?
Favre is amazing - the flip pass while he was falling - great stuff. I loved every time the camera panned to Holmgren and the snow continued to accumulate on his bill.
http://ccww.wordpress.com
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Sean Crowe about 1 year ago
You know what was particularly impressive? The fact that the Giants defensive line got stronger throughout the game even though they spent most of it on the field.
Crayton apparently has the hands of an offensive lineman....
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Cade A. about 1 year ago
I'm sorry you're feeling cheated by the Chargers win, I must say that you will be also cheated of a perfect season this Sunday :)
Nice article, although, a little credit to Chargers would have been nice since they have beaten Colts three times in a row.
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Chris about 1 year ago
Go Pack!!! Honestly I was only surprised to see the Chargers beat the Colts. I knew Tony Homo and the Cowboys would choke based on their performance throughout December. While I think the Giants are a good team, which I have a lot of respect for. I don't see them advancing to the Super Bowl. I hope I'm right. They have been playing really well. Good old fashioned smart football.
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Baruch Landa about 1 year ago
Haaaaa....Chargers beating NE???? In Foxboro???? Against THIS YEAR'S NE Patriots???? I dont think so. I would like to see it, but no...no chance...at all...period.
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Spurgeon Thomas about 1 year ago
The two best AFC teams are playing this week. As a matter of fact, the two best NFL teams are playing in the AFC championship. The colts are overrated and rely on the refs to keep their receivers from getting man handled. This allows a great QB like Peyton to throw all over the field without interruption; that is until he meets Cromartie.
Unfortunately, for all the people who only want to see score boards light up, the game will be about REAL football, that consists of all phases of the game--Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
These two teams play team football the best in the NFL. It's been proven all year that they are not one-dimensional. Take away any element from either of these teams, and they will show you another way to be victorious.
Its funny how all the overpaid NFL analysts rated the Chargers as one of the best teams in the NFL at the beginning of the year, until they had growing pains with their new coach. Now after living up to the pre-season predictions, they get no respect. Even after leading the NFL in rushing and causing turnovers.
The PATS did a good job last year and this year. Funny thing is, so did their opponent this week.
Please stop analyzing the media talk, and analyze the match-ups of this game before making your blind predictions given to you from the Associated Press.
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