Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun
If the Cardinals can make it to the Super Bowl, anybody can make the Super Bowl. And I think any of these four teams could go because the clubs are that close.
There's no Sunday matchup more enticing than Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis against Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, and, to a lesser extent, Rex Ryan against Peyton Manning. But the Jets need more offense than quarterback Mark Sanchez can give them, so they'll have to rely even more on defense and turnovers. I like the Colts by a touchdown.
In the NFC, it'd be nice to see the Saints go, for the city, for Drew Brees, for the long-suffering fans. But I don't think they have an answer for Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen or wideout Sidney Rice. In the end, the Vikings have the better defense, and I think it carries Brett Favre to his last hurrah. It's a shame we'll have to listen to it for two more weeks though.
kmurray@tribune.com
At least one fairy tale finish
Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
I'm a sucker for the fairy tale, so I'm going with Brett and the Beanstalk this weekend.
I'm not sure if I can tell you how the Vikings defense is going to contain the Saints passing game, but I sure can envision Brett Favre reprising "Pants on the Ground" in the Superdome on Sunday. Favre is the best story left in the playoffs, so he's worth rooting for.
The fairy tale might not come true in the AFC, however.
The Cinderella Jets have won four straight games theyweren't supposed to win. Either that means they can do it again Sunday, or fate finally will catch up to them.
I would gamble on the latter and take the Colts, a considerably superior team that is playing on its home field.
dpompei@tribune.com
Expect battle of No. 1 seeds
Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel
For the first time in 16 years, the NFL will see both of its No. 1 seeds in the Super Bowl. I don't see the Jets copying the 1985 Patriots, 2005 Steelers and 2007 Giants by winning a third road playoff game.
I'll take the team playing in its dome with a superior quarterback. And don't forget Indy's underrated defense, which bottled up Ray Rice last week, daring Joe Flacco to throw. A similar formula will push the Colts to their fourth South Florida Super Bowl.
In the NFC, the Vikings desperately need the dominant Adrian Peterson of 2008 to showup and chew up significant yardage and clock or the Saints will pile up too many points.
ssvekis@tribune.com
Home is where winners are
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
Although the championship games will be close, both home teams will win Sunday, meaning the Super Bowl will be Saints vs. Colts.
The Saints will win in a shootout at the Superdome over a Vikings team that's better at home (9-0) than on the road (4-4).
In fact, the last time the Vikings won a game away from home was Nov. 1, when Brett Favre went back to Green Bay and beat the Packers.
In the AFC, the Colts will beat the Jets in a low-scoring game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Jets will keep it close, but no team in NFLhistory has had as many fourth-quarter comebacks (seven) as these Colts.
They know how to finish.
sfarmer@tribune.com