Today was the day of the AFC and NFC Conferenece Championship games to determine who would play in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami in two weeks.
First up was the AFC with the Indianapolis Colts (15-2) hosting the surprising New York Jets (11-7). The difference here was the Colts run defense and Peyton Manning at the helm for Indianapolis. Manning's 3 TD passes were enough to put the Colts into their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history with a 30-17 victory over the Jets.
In their first two Super Bowl appearances theColts represented the City of Baltimore when they lost Super Bowl III (1969) to the New York Jets 7-16 and won Super Bowl V (1971) over the Dallas Cowboys 16-13. After moving to Indianapolis, they defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI (2007).
Now for the main event, the Bret Favre led Minnesota Vikings (13-4) at the New Orleans Saints (14-3). The Saints were a three point favorite at kickoff mostly because of their home field advantage.
Laurie was primed and ready
from the git-go!
Such INTENSITY watching
a great see-saw battle!!!
A break in the action for a Birthday Timeout
Mike is holding the new traditional birthday cupcakes as Scott Borchart had a birthday yesterday and Vanessa has one tomorrow.
THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
What a GREAT game!
14-7 Minnesota after one period
14-14 at the half
21-21 after three quarters
28-28 at the end of regulation!
WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME!!!
A few shots of our favorite Saint, #55, OLB Scott Fujita courtesy of both the City of Camarillo Chapter and Rio Mesa H.S. Chapter of the Scott Fujita Fan Club
Helping bury Favre
Pressuring Favre
Chasing a loose ball
Chasing another loose ball
Sorry Adrian and Brett,
Scott's all over this one!
This fumble recovery was HUGE just before the Half as the Saints' Reggie Bush had just fumbled away a punt DEEP in Saints territory.
The Vikings' Adrian Peterson fumbled the ball back to Scott and the Saints on Second and Goal at the FOUR YARD LINE with less than a minute left in the second quarter.
OVERTIME
The Saints won the coin flip and drove down the field after a fine Kickoff Return by Pierre Thomas.
It finally came down to a fourth down and a 40 yard Field Goal attempt by Saints' kicker Garrett Hartley.
THE KICK IS UP . . .
IT'S GOOD!!!
SAINTS WIN 31-28 in O.T.!!!
DOG PILE ON HARTLEY!
KING OF THE WORLD, MA!
MAMA MIA!!!
Scott on the left behind Drew Brees on the Victory Platform
Their were two keys to the game.
The first key was the obvious Turnover Margin advantage. The Vikings lost three fumbles and Favre threw two interceptions, the last one with seconds left in regulation on Third Down with the Vikings in Field Goal range. The Saints meanwhile only had one lost fumble and no interceptions.
The other key was the Saints ability to protect Drew Brees while the Vikings' line allowed Favre to be knocked down several times, many on just plain wicked hits.
This will be the Saints franchise's first trip ever to a Super Bowl.
So Super Bowl XLIV is set for Sunday, February 7 in Miami and for the first time since 1993 will feature the #1 seeds from both the AFC and NFC.
I see on the Internet that the 16-2 Colts are already being touted as three point favorites over the 15-3 Saints.
NEED A TICKET TO
THE BIG GAME?
By the way, if you want to go to the game in person go to the NFL Ticket Exchange website. They have 2,260 tickets on sale ranging from an endzone seat in the upper deck for $1,865 to a seat in a luxury box on the 30 yard line for a mere $180,800!
Not a misprint, I did say . . . $180,800!!!
What, $180,000 was not enough, you REALLY NEED that extra $800?
So much for the average Saints or Colts fan from attending the game in person.
Regardless . . . GEAUX SAINTS!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment