I’m back, kiddos! This weekend is just too important to miss, and the thought had crossed my mind.
C’mon, lemme hear it. Indianapolis ruined my Super Bowl pick, the Ravens. How many times can the Colts run a team out of Baltimore?! (Whoa, hey, that joke killed with Jim Irsay).
No matter, fans now get a collection of Cinderellas in Indy, Chicago and New Orleans worthy of any TV movie–with Bill Belichick as the grumpy recluse who ends up saving Christmas!
It just shows we all get a second chance, even me.
So sit back, relax, not that far back, little more, there you go … and enjoy these picks.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
New Orleans at Bears
2 p.m. Sunday, Fox
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: The Bears players and coaches are a lil’ bit tired of hearing how the Saints are America’s fairy-tale feel-good yarn. America doesn’t care one lil’ bit. Saints QB Drew Brees may not have WR Joe Horn, but Sean Payton’s top-ranked offense may not need him to victimize the Bears’ safeties. “He’s so detail oriented,” LB Scott Fujita says of his coach. “He gets the situation ready better than any coach I’ve ever seen.” Uh-oh.
THE LINE: Bears by 2 1/2
STRAIGHT PICK: Bearsh!
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
New England at Indianapolis
5:30 p.m. Sunday, CBS
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: “The Patriots,” says Peyton Manning, “are as great a team as there is … ever.” That’s right, Peyton, butter them up real good. We know you hate those Pats like they were Florida Gators. The Patriots used to OWN the Colts, but Manning & Co. have won the last two meetings–and for the first time in the playoffs, they get New England at home.
THE LINE: Colts by 3
STRAIGHT PICK: Colts
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redeyesports@tribune.com
