NFL Bargain Bets for the AFC Conference Championship
January 20th 2010 - Old Man Winner             

Don't believe the hype!

We are in a new era my friends. It's not defense and a rushing game that wins championships anymore (see Baltimore Ravens). That is old school or, as the kids would say, "that is sooooo last week." No, the pendulum has finally made its slow swing to the offensive side of the ball and prolific offenses, and players, are now dominating the league. Take a look at this comparison of rankings of the teams that made the playoffs and those that made it through the respective playoff rounds:
 

	Offenses	Defenses
Of the 12 teams that made the playoffs	7 were in the top 10	6 were in the top 10
Of the 8 teams that made the divisional round	6 were in the top 10	6 were in the top 18
Of the 4 teams that made the conference finals	3 were in the top 9	3 were in the top 18

It's the offensive teams that have advanced teams forward and this week will be no different.

The Jets have been a great feel good story. Hey, everyone loves Cinderella! But the clock is about to strike midnight and the Colts will be sending the Jets running toward their pumpkin coach without any slippers and trying to pick up their jock straps along the way.

Manning has a very high winning percentage against teams he has seen recently, which he has with the Jets. Rumor has it that he is studying his ass off and reaching out to players throughout the league on Jets tendencies. He has had a whole year with the younger receivers (Collie and Garcon) to coach them up into solid contributors (Marvin who?).

I expect the Colts to walk into "the house that Peyton built" and make quick work of the Jets.

It's tough to give more than a touchdown in the playoffs, but, as we have seen already, good teams really separate themselves this time of year.