Only two games this weekend – weird I know!\u00a0 This is it folks – the winners will represent their respective Conferences in the Super Bowl in Miami.\u00a0 One matchup is as expected, while the other one lacks some luster.<\/p>\n
Still, there are some interesting story lines that I will be watching with keen interest.<\/p>\n
1. How will the plethora of rookies deal with the pressures of a Conference Final?<\/strong><\/h3>\nHead Coach Jim Caldwell – Indianapolis <\/strong>– Caldwell has the benefit of a seasoned playoff team to guide into this weekend\u2019s game.\u00a0 He has\u00a0 a veteran coaching staff and Peyton Manning to guide his team. Caldwell will be all right.\u00a0 He has the personnel around him.<\/p>\nHead Coach Rex Ryan – NY Jets<\/strong> – Ryan has a much tougher task for sure.\u00a0 He has a rookie Quarterback and a rookie running back to coach in the biggest game of all of their careers. Ryan appeared to out coach Norv Turner last week, and looked comfortable doing so.\u00a0 No matter the outcome of this game, Ryan\u2019s stock has certainly risen.<\/p>\nMark Sanchez – NY Jets –<\/strong> If everything is going right for the Jets, then Sanchez won\u2019t be asked to do much.\u00a0 If the Jets get down in this game, it will force Sanchez to take some chances – a scary thought if you are a Jets fan.<\/p>\nShonne Greene – NY Jets – <\/strong>He has supplanted Thomas Jones as the unquestioned lead Running Back in New York – and rightfully so.\u00a0 Greene is a huge man that is one of the fastest backs in the league.\u00a0 Greene is a special talent and is guaranteed to break a play or two during this game.<\/p>\n2. Will the two unbalanced Offenses suffer because of their one-dimensional play?<\/strong><\/h3>\nIndianapolis Colts –<\/strong> Let\u2019s face it folks, the Colts have to throw the ball to be successful.\u00a0 Although OK, Joseph Addai and Mike Brown do not possess the skill sets to make a difference in any game. The passing is the Colts meal ticket, and will live or die by it.<\/p>\nNY Jets –<\/strong> The Jets are strictly a running team – Sanchez RARELY passes for more than 150 yards.\u00a0 If the game goes the Jets way, this pattern will continue.\u00a0 Even if they get down, the Jets offense will, like the Colts, remain one dimensional.<\/p>\n3. How much scoring can we expect from this weekend\u2019s action?<\/strong><\/h3>\nIndianapolis – <\/strong>The Colts are a team that gets a lot of yardage but for some reason, doesn\u2019t light up the scoreboard.\u00a0 The Jets have a good defense and will have a chance to slow the Colts down. Indianapolis figures to finish with 24 or so point in this game – typical for this Offense.<\/p>\nNY Jets –<\/strong> The Jets are not going to light up the scoreboard either.\u00a0 This is a game that will be dominated by long drives that eat up chunks of the clock.\u00a0 Scoring will happen, but if you\u2019re expecting fireworks, you will likely be disappointed.<\/p>\nNew Orleans – <\/strong>Going to be fun isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 I know the Vikings shut down the Hot Cowboys last week, but this week is likely to be different.\u00a0 New Orleans is a well balanced scoring machine and should be able to rack it up on home turf.<\/p>\nMinnesota – <\/strong>No choice for the Vikings – they are going to have to score a lot, or get left in the dust.\u00a0 The Vikings are a confident bunch right now, and have an experienced Brett Favre to lead them. They will score, but will they be able to score enough?<\/p>\n4. Will a team\u2019s ability to generate a strong pass rush determine the outcome of this weekend\u2019s games?<\/strong><\/h3>\nIndy –<\/strong> Pass rush won\u2019t be a huge factor as the front four will have to concentrate on stopping the run rather than harassing the QB.<\/p>\nJets –<\/strong> Needless to say, the Jets have to find a way to disrupt Peyton Manning.\u00a0 If they don\u2019t, Manning will pick them apart.\u00a0 Pass rush is absolutely essential.<\/p>\n
Head Coach Rex Ryan – NY Jets<\/strong> – Ryan has a much tougher task for sure.\u00a0 He has a rookie Quarterback and a rookie running back to coach in the biggest game of all of their careers. Ryan appeared to out coach Norv Turner last week, and looked comfortable doing so.\u00a0 No matter the outcome of this game, Ryan\u2019s stock has certainly risen.<\/p>\n Mark Sanchez – NY Jets –<\/strong> If everything is going right for the Jets, then Sanchez won\u2019t be asked to do much.\u00a0 If the Jets get down in this game, it will force Sanchez to take some chances – a scary thought if you are a Jets fan.<\/p>\n Shonne Greene – NY Jets – <\/strong>He has supplanted Thomas Jones as the unquestioned lead Running Back in New York – and rightfully so.\u00a0 Greene is a huge man that is one of the fastest backs in the league.\u00a0 Greene is a special talent and is guaranteed to break a play or two during this game.<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts –<\/strong> Let\u2019s face it folks, the Colts have to throw the ball to be successful.\u00a0 Although OK, Joseph Addai and Mike Brown do not possess the skill sets to make a difference in any game. The passing is the Colts meal ticket, and will live or die by it.<\/p>\n NY Jets –<\/strong> The Jets are strictly a running team – Sanchez RARELY passes for more than 150 yards.\u00a0 If the game goes the Jets way, this pattern will continue.\u00a0 Even if they get down, the Jets offense will, like the Colts, remain one dimensional.<\/p>\n Indianapolis – <\/strong>The Colts are a team that gets a lot of yardage but for some reason, doesn\u2019t light up the scoreboard.\u00a0 The Jets have a good defense and will have a chance to slow the Colts down. Indianapolis figures to finish with 24 or so point in this game – typical for this Offense.<\/p>\n NY Jets –<\/strong> The Jets are not going to light up the scoreboard either.\u00a0 This is a game that will be dominated by long drives that eat up chunks of the clock.\u00a0 Scoring will happen, but if you\u2019re expecting fireworks, you will likely be disappointed.<\/p>\n New Orleans – <\/strong>Going to be fun isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 I know the Vikings shut down the Hot Cowboys last week, but this week is likely to be different.\u00a0 New Orleans is a well balanced scoring machine and should be able to rack it up on home turf.<\/p>\n Minnesota – <\/strong>No choice for the Vikings – they are going to have to score a lot, or get left in the dust.\u00a0 The Vikings are a confident bunch right now, and have an experienced Brett Favre to lead them. They will score, but will they be able to score enough?<\/p>\n Indy –<\/strong> Pass rush won\u2019t be a huge factor as the front four will have to concentrate on stopping the run rather than harassing the QB.<\/p>\n Jets –<\/strong> Needless to say, the Jets have to find a way to disrupt Peyton Manning.\u00a0 If they don\u2019t, Manning will pick them apart.\u00a0 Pass rush is absolutely essential.<\/p>\n2. Will the two unbalanced Offenses suffer because of their one-dimensional play?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. How much scoring can we expect from this weekend\u2019s action?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Will a team\u2019s ability to generate a strong pass rush determine the outcome of this weekend\u2019s games?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.referincome.com\/graphics\/banners\/om\/nfl_250000_challenge_300x250.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n