Conference Championship Games and Superbowl XLIV

The Super Bowl approaches.

The focus and media attention will be on the likes of Drew Brees, Jeremy Shockey, Peyton Manning and the other usual suspects - but in these games and the Super Bowl game itself - the occasion can get to any of the top players. Just as 'ordinary' players can step up to win the game.

So who do we love this year.

Indianapolis Colts: odds range +100 to +120.

Everyone loves the Colts - who couldn't enjoy watching Manning throw the football. They come up against the defense minded New York Jets and defense is about all that they have in their locker. But at the prices as they stand the Colts are hardly attractive and we won't be having our football bet on the Colts.

New York Jets: odds range +700 to +800.

The New York Jets' defense 'is' the team - it is what it lives and breathes off.

The Jets are the big outsiders and they should go down against the Colts who will probably have too much in their locker for them - but at the prices we would take the Jets for the Bowl and maybe look to take the other finalist too after these games for a no lose situation.

New Orleans Saints: odds range +200.
The Saints crushed the Cardinals - everyone who saw it had to be impressed. But firstly it was the Cardinals and secondly New Orleans had come off a two week break as opposed to Arizona who had played a tough game against the Packers less than a week earlier.

Minnesota Vikings: odds range +450 to +500.
We would take the Vikings for the Bowl - but their road record is a worry. It could be a cruel day for them - remember, as an aside, their Super Bowl record in terms of appearance vs wins stands at 4-0. But who knows, Brett Favre might still have a say and take them to the big one.

Know this, had the Vikings been playing at home they might have been the shorter price of the two teams...such is their home record.

In summary, we would take the Saints before the Colts - but before we took the Saints we'd split stakes on the two outsiders Minnesota and New York - in the hope that we get at least one upset.

You can get odds on the games here - football match-ups

Jets Fly in to Semi-Finals

The big upset of the weekend was the Jet's tight thee point victory over the San Diego Chargers to make it to the AFC Championship decider. They are also the
only wild-card team to have beaten seeded opposition on the road, in the weekend's games.

It was no mean achievement for New York, who have a rookie head coach and a rookie QB. Their reward is a fairly daunting match up against the Indianapolis Colts - who in turn got to this stage by beating the Baltimore Ravens.

San Diego were the strong favourites in the betting and had gone into this match-up having a regular season eleven game winning run - ending up 13-3 and the AFC West champs.

In sharp contrast, the Jets stole into the post-season on the final day of the regular season with an overall record of 9-7. This was really the second upset of their Superbowl run since they turned over the Cincinnati Bengals.

New York gave away little and were only 7-0 down at the end of the 2nd quarter.

Jay Feely finally got the Jets on the points board and the defence then set about smothering Rivers, leading to two interceptions and a missed field goal attempt for the Chargers.

In the final quarter, Sanchez threw a touchdown pass for Keller before running back Greene grabbed the win with a 53 yarder for another touchdown - putting the Jets 17-7ahead.

It was always going to be tough for Sand Diego from this point on but Rivers got them back to within three, when he charged over the goal-line a few seconds before the 'two-minute-warning'. But the Jets retained the football and won the game.

Marauding Vikings put Cowboys to the Sword

Defence was the order of the day and Brett Favre and most of Minnesota were grateful. Dallas couldn't live with them and the Cowboys were simply brushed aside as the Vikings set up the NFC Championship decider against the Saints, which will be played on Sunday.

The hapless Tony Romo spent most of the game 'dancing' with the Vikings offence, fumbling or turning over the ball to the opposition. His 40 year old opposite number, Brett Favre, was in contrast allowed to craft a crushing victory on home turf.

Brett Favre inflicted the kind of pain that you could would have expected him to lay down only in his prime. But his four scoring passes didn't tell the whole story. Favre completed 15 of 24 passes for a snip under 235 yards. For Romo it was a case of more attempts and less yardage.

Vikings' kicker Longwell added 4 points between the uprights.

The Vikings now visit the New Orleans Saints who made a point against the Cardinals in a 45-14 victory - reinforcing their top seed status. The winners of that game will have their ticket to the Superbowl.

Super Bowl Betting Odds now available.

Thanksgiving Weekend NFL

Twelve games played out on the Sunday ticket thanks to the Thanksgiving tripleheader. Thanksgiving game results were led by Dallas who won 38-10 over the Buccaneers. Dallas are now four of fivewith Romo as QB.

The Chiefs also made a statement with a 19-10 victory over the Bronos. Both AFC West squads now have identical records and look a good chance to reach the playoffs at current standings.

The big game on Sunday was Chicago at New England. The Patriots hadn't done so well at home and this was their chance to beat a good opponent at Gillette.

New England won 17-13. The Patriots are now 8-3 with a two game lead in the AFC East division, while Chicago is 9-2 and still in charge of the NFC.

Baltimore Ravens won at home with a 27-0 win over Pittsburgh.

The Jets made sure they took care of business by a 26-11 beating of Houston. The Jets stayed alive in the AFC East.

Cincinnati won their second game in a row by beating the Browns 30-0.

Jacksonville is 6-5, and that is because they dropped a 27-24 decision to the Buffalo.

Carolina lost 17-13 at Washington.

The Giants blew a 21-0 fourth quarter lead, and lost 24-21 to Tennessee. Unreal. It was a major blow to the Giants' NFC East title hopes.

The Chargers struggled against the Raiders but pulled away late for a 21-14 win.

Look forward to next week!

Steelers Looking for Resurrection

Just over half a year since winning a hard fought Super Bowl title everyone is wondering if the Pittsburgh Steelers have been affected by what has happened since.

Last season they were the sixth-seeded wild card and got up some momentum to take them all the way. They are not firing on all cylinders now though - and the Dolphins arrive tonight.

You cannot pay too much attention to their 0-4 pre-season - coaches experiment during this period - especially experienced ones. Ben Roethlisberger looked good despite his accident three months ago. But he's out for the opener due to a medical procedure.

Jerome Bettis has retired and receiver Randle El and two other starters have left on free agency. Bill Cowher has not committed to further than this season. In the past he has received extensions with two years remaining.

Yet the Steelers also have the bulk of their lineup back - they have been blessed with continuity by the Rooney family and they could be there or thereabouts again.

Thursday, is the funeral of Pittsburgh mayor Bob O'Connor. O'Connor's son, Corey, 22, will begin Steelers fans in the "Terrible Towels" wave before kickoff.

It remains to be seen if that wave pushes them all the way to the post season.

Favre Positive...

Brett Favre's could be accused of being a little over confident as regards the current Green Bay Packers Team. A week ago he declared in a press conference: "I really feel, as far as talent is concerned, this is the best team that I've been part of..."

This from a QB who is has just had his worst pro season and is approaching the end of his career. Of course Favre might not have been referring to himself in his statement.

The alleged 'talent' will have to combine to get it together on the field if the Packers are to have any hope of making the post season this year.