Postgame Re-cap

Bears 39 Saints 14: This game was close for three quarters, but Chicago buried New Orleans with 21 fourth quarter points. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson combined for 183 rushing yards which helped to control the game and keep Rex Grossman from making any stupid mistakes. On the contrast, Duce McAllister and Reggie Bush struggled on the ground all day long, gaining only 37 yards combined. Chicago's D stepped up when it needed to, and their safety of Drew Brees towards the end of the third quarter seemed to be the difference maker.

The Bears' D really was the key to this game because they forced Drew Brees to throw 49 passes by eliminating the running game. With the playmakers they have up front, Chicago was able to pin their ears back and go hard after Brees. This led to three sacks and four turnovers forced. Brian Urlacher showed his athleticism by covering Bush out of the backfield several times, and by making athletic plays in the Saints' passing lanes. Also, Ogunleye and Anderson got after Brees all day long, and this kept the Saints from making the big plays down the field that they are custom to.

Indianapolis 38 New England 34: What a game. The Pats jumped out to an early 21-3 lead, capped off by Asante Samuel's INT return, and it looked like the same story we have seen so many times. Peyton Manning was going to choke in the big game, and the Pats would move on to yet another Super Bowl. Then something happened. Manning cooly led the Colts down the field to cut the lead to 21-6 before half. Then, he came out and led them on back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter to tie it at 21. All of a sudden we had a ballgame.

Manning wound up leading the game winning drive, and he played very well in the second half of this ballgame. This was not career defining, however, because he still has one more game which he needs to win. If Manning fails in Miami, then this win over New England was all for not. Dan Marino made the Super Bowl, but he lost, and he is forever remembered as the best QB to never win the big one. The same will happen if Manning loses. The Colts will be favored to win, and there will be no excuses if they fail to do so.