ShareThisCapsule previews for Sunday's NFL conference championship games. All times Eastern.
New York Jets (11-7) at Indianapolis Colts (15-2), 3 p.m.
The only way Colts Coach Jim Caldwell is pulling his starters in this game is if it's a blowout, and that is not likely, not with the way the Jets play defense. Probably the most surprising aspect of the playoffs, aside from the Jets' two victories, is the efficient play of rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who has yet to throw an interception. Of course, Baltimore QB Joe Flacco did much the same thing last season until he ran into the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
Prediction: Colts, 20-10
Minnesota Vikings (13-4) at New Orleans Saints (14-3), 6:40.
Not very often the top two seeds meet in the conference championship, and not very often when they look so evenly matched. In the Vikings' favor is QB Brett Favre and their ability to pressure the quarterback with their defensive line. In the Saints' favor is QB Drew Brees, a caldron of receivers and that Superdome noise, not to mention that, all of a sudden, RB Reggie Bush is starting to look like the Reggie Bush who won the Heisman Trophy at USC.
Prediction: Saints, 31-27
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
