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unknown factor in QB Phillip Rivers who is making just his 17th start and his first playoff appearance.

#3 New England Patriots
They will play in SB XLI
The Patriots coaching staff is considered the best at scheming for a game in the league. Head Coach Bill Belichick is 12-2 in the playoffs with 3 Super Bowl wins. QB Tom Brady is 11-1 as a starter in the playoffs and the QB in those 3 Super Bowl wins. It's hard to argue with that kind of success. The defense is 2nd in the league in points allowed.

They won't make SB XLI
Brady and the coaching staff can only carry them so far. The talent level of the rest of the team isn't up to what it was in those 3 Super Bowl years. They are only 11th in passing offense and 12th in rushing. Being in the AFC East, the defensive ranking is slightly misleading, with the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets twice each on their regular season schedule. In case you're wondering, Jets are 25th in offense, Dolphins are 20th, and Bills are 29th.

#4 Indianapolis Colts
They will play in SB XLI
It's all about the offense. They can move the ball on anyone in the league. QB Peyton Manning will probably finish his career with just about every passing record in the books. Colts are #2 in passing yards, #3 in total offense, and #3 in scoring.

They won't make SB XLI
Manning's regular season success hasn't translated to the post season. He's only 4-6 in the playoffs with 16 TDs and 11 INTs. Although they did shut down RB Larry Johnson there is a saying that goes, "once is a fluke, twice is a trend." Next up will be Jamal Lewis and then a possible match up against LaDainian Tomlinson. Facing those backs three in-a-row is a daunting task for any defense, let alone one that was 32nd against the run during the season.

NFC

#1 New Orleans Saints
They will play in SB XLI
Emotion can carry a team to lofty heights and the Saints have all the emotional lift a team could want. I was actually surprised to see that they were only 5-3 at home. Regardless, in these playoffs it is going to be tough to go into New Orleans and win. Their offense is #1 in total yards and #1 in passing yards. Drew Brees has been a breath of fresh air (sorry about the bad pun, but couldn't resist). They also rank #3 in passing yards against.

They won't make SB XLI
They may have to leave the dome and go to Chicago for the NFC championship game. The defense maybe ranked high against the pass because teams don't have to throw against them, they are only 23rd against the run. Despite having veteran RB

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