Chamionship Sunday has arrived and the teams remaining are interesting indeed. Who would have ever predicted the Jets making it this far with a rookie coach and rookie quarterback?

So today I got up early today and began watching the pre-game show on NFL Network. I love listening to Rich Eisen with his crew of retired coaches and players. He’s one of the best Ever at keeping control of his show.

GREATEST QUARTERBACK IN NFL HISTORY

A discussion broke out about Peyton Manning and is he one of, if not, the best quarterback ever to play the game. There were some varied opinions from Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Marriuci and Michael Irvin. The consensus view was yes, he will retire one of the greatest ever.

Not so fast though! Retired Dallas Cowboy Irvin believes Peyton must win another Super Bowl to be considered in the ranks of multiple Super Bowl winners like Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady and surprise… Troy Aikman.

Really Michael? Seriously?

In the day of Free Agency has anyone played better than Manning? I mean, Brett Favre holds most of the records attainable by a quarterback. Would one consider him one of the greatest ever?

My guess would be absolutely. I don’t believe there has ever been a tougher quarterback in the league and his statistics speak for themselves. Yet, he has only held the Lombardi Trophy only one time in his life.

Manning is on pace to break every passing record Favre has eclipsed in less time. He may end his career with more wins than any quarterback in NFL history. Which begs my question for Michael Irvin.

If Troy Aikman did not have you, Michael Irvin, to go to every week would he still be considered a top three quarterback All-Time?

I look at all the Hall-of-Famers in NFLs past and the 70’s Steelers, 80’s Niners and 90’s Cowboys have deep roots. The teams were solid all around. How many Hall-of-Famers can we expect from the 2000 Colts?

THE VIKINGS HAD BETTER NOT LEAVE THEIR PANTS ON THE GROUND

Oh boy… I have a bad feeling for the Minnesota Vikings today. Gimmicks only fuel the fire of the opposing teams and the New Orleans Saints are eerily quiet. That cannot be said for the Mineesota Vikings.

After doing a rediculous song (yes, I too thought it was funny) on American Idols audition tour, Larry Platt rose to fame. For those of you who haven’t heard of this guy, he’s a 62 year old man who wrote his own song about todays youth allowing their pants to reveal thier underwear. I hear ya Larry, it is pretty unattractive.

But after beating the Dallas Cowboys took last week, the Vikings quarterback gave tribute to Larry by singing his song in the locker room post game. Again, it was pretty amusing and you have to love Favres’ youthful sense of humor.

But announced today was Mr. Platt will be singing his song in the Vikings locker room before the game. Now we are bordering on silly.

Speaking of silly, Minnesota native Prince was inspired after the defeat of the Cowboys and decided to write a fight song. As a fan of Prince I will try and be tactful in my words. It’s garbage. I’m sorry, that’s the nicest thing I can say about it. It would inspire me to ride an elevator before it would fire me up to face an enemy.

So the press has focused on the Vikings this past week and lurking in the shadows are the New Orleans Saints. No gimmicks, no comments, not even a peep from Harry Connick Jr. It’s unusually quiet in the Big Easy. I expect that noise will reach record highs by the time kickoff arrives in the Super Dome.

THE PRO BOWL HAS OFFICIALLY BECOME A JOKE

Well, after many years of people debating on whether the Pro Bowl is a joke it has finally been confirmed. Lets evaluate why it has become one.

 In years of past the Pro Bowl was looked at as a reward for the best players at thier respective positions. They get to take thier loved ones to vacation capital Hawaii while rubbing elbows with the elite in the game. They still compete against one another in a relaxed atmosphere. They get to put on lays and walk around and observe strong man contests and quarterback challenges. It’s something every player that puts pads on his body aspires to be invited to participate in someday.

This year, welcome to Miami. It’s held next week, during media weekend for the Super Bowl. The thrill of flying out to an island and roasting a pig is gone. Many can now sleep in thier own home and drive to the stadium for the game. The vacation aspect is a moot point.

Now I realize the Pro Bowl has become a popularity contest over the years more than an actual talent show. When one team sends double digit players without as much as a playoff win, you know it’s not an exact science. Regardless, the point of the Pro Bowl was to reward the players.

Is a week in Miami truly a reward?

Obviously not. Many players voted in will not even be able to participate in it this season. The winners of todays games will be focusing on the Super Bowl therefore the ‘runner ups’ will be on display next Sunday.

My guess for the change is ratings. Once again, the all mighty dollar wins. The ratings for Pro Bowls has decreased over the years. It seems once the Super Bowl has found it’s victor, the fan base moves on and focuses on other things like American Idol and the new season of Eastbound and Down on HBO.

So the NFL figured while fans were still juiced up to see the Super Bowl they would move the Pro Bowl into the middle of media week and check ratings. I for one believe the Pro Bowl should remain a reward for the players. Exploiting it for ratings just feels dirty.

PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND

NY Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts

This game is truly the immoveable object verses the irresistable force. Which will prevail, offense or defense? So it bodes the question of “Who do you trust?” I trust Peyton Manning. I admit, he hasn’t been the most clutch quarterback in the big game throughout his history. But I do believe this season is the year he faces either the past or the present.

More on that in the next game preview.

Manning may go down as the best quarterback in NFL history and for that to occur, he needs to quiet people like Irvin who believe it’s about rings, not statistics. The Jets will bring the heat and it should be a low scoring affair. In the 4th quarter, I do not believe Sanchez will be capable of pulling off a victory against a hungry Manning.

Colts 24, Jets 14

New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings

Ok, now we are looking at the past versus the present. The Silver Fox versus the Saint of New Orleans. Both Brett Favre and Drew Brees are playing as well as any quarterbacks in the NFL. Both have sustained their success over time and both will retire as the catalyst for the success of thier franchises.

When Favre was traded to Green Bay they transformed into a competitive team and ultimately held a Lombardi trophy. No one will reflect on Packers history without focusing on the Wrangler wearing gunslinger.  He now takes a Vikings team into the Championship without the luxury of a Reggie White holding down the defensive line.  In his place is Jared Allen, the mullet wearing maniac who will demand a double team. Dorsey Levens is now replaced by Adrian Peterson who may be the best running back in the NFL today.

When you compare his team now against the Super Bowl winning Packers team you really have to wonder. They are very similar and equally dangerous. The Saints will have a tough time stopping the big plays.

But that doesn’t scare them. The Saints have the most balanced offensive attack in the NFL this season. The team finally realized how to use thier biggest weapon Reggie Bush.

Instead of watching him dance behind the line of scrimmage, Drew Brees can now hand the ball to Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell to move the chains forward. Bush is now being used much like the Atlanta Falcons used Eric Metcalf back in the nineties. They limited his hand offs and gave him a slot role. The Falcons learned Metcalf in the open field was a nightmare for defenses. Saints coach Sean Payton has come to that same conclusion.

His production on special teams alone has created his value. On Sunday he will be the most explosive player on the field. If he can keep his momentum up I cannot see the Vikings winning this game. The Vikings may bring in the superior defense. They are fierce and get to the quarterback quickly. The only problem is Brees doesn’t hold the ball and will spread it out to multiple players. Every person on the Saints offense is effectively a weapon. I have a feeling we will see a screen play go for six today early.

Saints 28, Vikings 27