Conference Championships

AFC Championship: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

Schadenfreude: pleasure felt from someone else's misfortune. The Colts gave the Jets a bid to the playoffs, and now the Jets stand in their way from grabbing another Super Bowl appearance. Would a Colts victory justify Caldwell's decision to pull his starters and give up an undefeated season in Week 16? No. Would a Colts loss confirm the fans' disgust with the decision? No. Might a loss precipitate a locker room insurrection similar to Bill Callahan's stint with the Raiders? Yes. The Colts win, though, 40-21.

NFC Championship: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

This is the collision course matchup that everyone saw from about Week 3. The Vikings have been more variable in production than any other team. They lost to Pittsburg, Arizona, Carolina, and Chicago. Those teams combined for one playoff appearance this year. The Saints have pulled off some great comebacks and have back a handful of key players from injuries last week. The presence of tight end Jeremy Shockey and the production of running back Reggie Bush are very important.

New Orleans has the technically perfect quarterback (Drew Brees), a great marketing campaign ("Who Dat nation"), and an explosive offense and defense. Minnesota can claim the world's worst Prince anthem, the oldest starting playoff quarterback, and Adrian the Great. I take the Vikings, 27-14.