The New England Patriots found a way again. Playing against a seemingly more talented team on the road, the Patriots pulled out a 24-21 victory in San Diego. Yes, Tom Brady is now 12-1 in post-season play, but he got a huge assist from Troy Brown this time. Brown's alert rip to cause a fumble turned a Brady interception into a Patriots' first down. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer has won 200 regular season games in the NFL but he's now 5-13 in the playoffs. He still hasn't won the big one. In fact, he's never even gotten to the really big one.
With three Super Bowl victories, the Patriots are the team of the decade. They are a dynasty in the free agency era. Now, they go to Indianapolis. Peyton Manning gets another chance to get to the Super Bowl and beat his New England demons at the same time. Can you imagine if Adam Vinatieri gets a chance to beat his old team with a last-second kick for the Colts? The Colts have not played in the Super Bowl since moving to Indianapolis. They won Super Bowl V when they were based in Baltimore, but that was almost 36 years ago.
In the NFC, the Chicago Bears ended a 12-year playoff victory drought with their victory over the Seahawks. Chicago is one victory away from its first Super Bowl appearance in 21 years. The defense is nowhere close to what it was with Tommie Harris and Mike Brown. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints have never been in a Super Bowl and are making their first appearance in the NFC Championship Game. They are the sentimental national favorites for their inspiring story in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Depending on how next Sunday's games turn out, there are some interesting possible matchups in the Super Bowl in Miami.
Bears-Patriots: This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XX, but these aren't the same Patriots. Tom Brady is a little bit of an upgrade from Tony Eason.
Bears-Colts: Lovie Smith against Tony Dungy with both bidding to become the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl. Smith was an assistant to Dungy in Tampa Bay. Brian Urlacher and Peyton Manning would be in the media glare.
Saints-Patriots: Gee, I wonder who America would cheer for in this matchup? It would be fun to see Sean Payton's daring play-calling against Bill Belichick's defense.
Saints-Colts: Peyton Manning against the team that his father, Archie, played for and the city (New Orleans) in which he grew up.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
