Roth Pond Regatta

Last year, the Colts finally found the way to the promised land for Peyton Manning, as the league’s worst run defense showed up in time to stuff Larry Johnson and Jamal Lewis, did just enough to survive a shootout with the Patriots, and then had a great game to stop Chicago in the Super Bowl, and won even without Manning being Manning. Can the Colts repeat? Or will this be someone else’s year to shine? Starting with the AFC: Home field advantage: Indianapolis (13-3) First-round bye: New Englan

d (13-3) Other division champions: Baltimore (North, 12-4), San Diego (West, 11-5) Wild Cards: New York Jets (10-6), Pittsburgh (10-6) In the Wild Card round, the Jets will travel to Baltimore, and find out first-hand why the Ravens are one of the best home teams in the NFL, losing 21-13…The other matchup is Pittsburgh at San Diego, and a determined Chargers team won’t give Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers time to breathe, winning 28-17…The divisional round begins with the Ravens visitin

g the Patriots, where New England’s superior postseason experience will help them eke out a 13-10 win…The other game will be a defensive fan’s nightmare, as the two top offenses in the NFL collide in Indianapolis when San Diego visits the Colts, and walks away with a 38-35 thriller…In the conference championship, the Chargers get their rematch they waited a long time for with New England, but, again, the Patriots will get the better of them, winning 28-21 and getting a shot at their fourth

world title in seven years. AFC Champion: New England Patriots Now, the NFC: Home field advantage: New Orleans (12-4) First-round bye: Chicago (11-5) Other division champions: Philadelphia (East, 10-6), St. Louis (West, 9-7) Wild Cards: Dallas (9-7), Minnesota (9-7) In the first Wild Card game, Minnesota makes their return to the postseason after a three-season absence, but walks into the Philly buzzsaw, as the Eagles win, 35-10…The other game features Dallas at St. Louis, and while Cowboys QB Tony Romo won’t have to worry about a slippery ball this time under the dome, the Rams’ passing game will spell the doom of Big D, 28-17…The divisional round starts with Philadelphia visiting Chicago, and the Bears will once again usher Donovan McNabb out of the postseason on the strength of their defense, 17-10…Next up is St. Louis at the Saints, and New Orleans will once again ride the wave of that crowd energy and take out the Greatest Show on Turf, 21-17…In a rematch of last year’s NFC title game, the Bears will visit the Crescent City this time, and the superior offense of the Saints will be too much for Chicago, 24-13, and New Orleans will make their first-ever Super Bowl. NFC Champion: New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLII: Phoenix, Arizona New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints This will be a classic example of contrasts. New England has been in this position many times, New Orleans has never been here. QB Tom Brady is a three-time champion and two-time MVP, Drew Brees is seeking his first ring, as will head coach Sean Payton against the grumpy master of the postseason, Bill Belichick. Enthusiasm has its merits, but experience has its rewards. This time, the spoils will be the Super Bowl championship. Patriots 24, Saints 10 This will be the final piece in the argument for Patriots fans that lay claim to dynasty for their team against those who argue otherwise. Four titles in seven years will pretty much stifle any further opposition.