Photo: NFL.com

Peyton Manning starts at QB. Joseph Addai starts at RB; Reggie Wayne at WR. Not long ago, the "Triplets" were Peyton, Marvin, and Edge. Noted notables, like Mike Wilbon, once said the Triplets were over-rated and Marvin was the best of all of them. While we wish Mike speedy recovery from his recent heart attack, we continue to maintain he is a complete dumb ass and knows nothing about the subject (sports) for which he is a supposed "expert" on. I will pay him this one compliment: He is not Kornhesier stupid.

Antoine Bethea is also displaying his skills at safety. For a funny Manning Pro Bowl video (tip to Jake), click here.

Here's to a good clean game with no injuries for anyone. It's the Pro Bowl. Just have fun. This is an open thread.

We love ya, Eli!

Obviously, we all want the Patriots to lose because... well, they seem to represent all that is corrupt in football. But, it helps that Peyton's bro Eli is playing against them. So, I don't feel dirty rooting for a team other than the Colts. If Dallas or Tampa Bay were in this game against New England, I'd feel different. But I have always liked the Giants, and I root for Eli.

Tonight is not an easy task. In fact, it is damned near impossible. If the Giants win tonight, it will be the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. But, it is an extreme long shot. The Pats will be ready. They will be motivated. They likely are cheating in some way, shape, and form.

Still, we dare to dream. Post your game comments here, and don't forget to give some love to Eddie at Big Blue View.

What better way to deal with the fact that our team isn't playing today than making fun of the two teams that are in the AFC Championship Game. What else are we to do? Enjoy the game? HA! It's much more fun to berate and belittle the two teams actually playing, especially since both teams are known for their cheating ways.

Today's 3:00 PM Eastern game, or The Roid Bowl as its been dubbed, features Chargers LBer Shawne Merriman (suspended in 2006 for steroids use), Patriots S Rodney Harrison (suspended this season for HGH use), and a coach who, despite numerous warnings to cease and desist, was caught cheating earlier this season and was completely unapologetic about it. Afterwards, he was awarded a contract extension and the Coach of the Year award.

And who said cheaters never prosper?

Seriously, what's not to love about this game? It has everything the NFL marketing team loves! Of course, all this cheating and doping stuff is "in the past" and we should focus solely on the "history" we are witnessing. Listen, what the Pats have accomplished up until now is amazing, but as I said earlier this season everything this New England team does from now on is tainted. I don't care who you talk to. This team is universally viewed as a corrupt and amoral team who will cheat to win.

Does that sound like the kind of team you want to market your league around?

One thing is for sure: The NFL better hope the Pats lose today. They won't, but they better hope so, because if they win the next few weeks will do significant damage to the league. A cheating team with an undefeated record is not something that you want to showcase to the world in the biggest game on the planet. As for the Chargers, no one really gives a crap about them. Hell, even their own fans are apathetic. They barely sold out their home playoff game against the Titans.

The AFC is really in the crapper this year, folks.

Over on the NFC, two great teams are going to battle it out in freezing conditions. A late-January game at Lambaugh Field is as good as it gets. Why they don't have Super Bowls there, I don't know. I guess they want warm weather cities in order to appease rich jerk-offs who know next to nothing about the game. Forget appeasing fans (you know, the people who buy and consume this product). We saw last season that a Super Bowl with bad weather conditions is highly entertaining. But whatever, Green Bay v. NY should be a great game.

Be sure to stop by the other blogs to get a gander at what they are chewing the fat about. This is an open thread.

San Diego Chargers (12-5) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3)

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2007 Playoffs, AFC Divisional Round: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

Location: RCA Dome  Indianapolis, IN

Kick-off time: 1:00 pm ET

Broadcast: CBS

Well, here we are. Hard to believe it was five months ago that we were blogging about the opening game of the season. Now, we're blogging about the beginning of Indy's second season and the next phase in Indy's quest to win two Super Bowls in a row. Way back in March, we blogged about what it would take for the Colts to win another Super Bowl. If you go back through that list, you can see that most of those items are solidly in Indy's court.

History is against Indy in this game. In 2004, Pittsburgh had the #1 overall seed in the AFC, and lost in the playoffs to New England. In 2005, they entered the playoffs as a Wildcard team and won it all. In 2005, Indy had the #1 overall seed in the AFC, and lost in the playoff to Pittsburgh. In 2006, they entered the playoffs as a Wildcard team and won it all. This year, San Diego is trying to replicate Pittsburgh's and Indy's success since they stumbled last season despite having the #1 overall seed. Everyone expects an upset today, seeing as both host teams won convincingly yesterday.

The Colts also have many questions to answer: Can they win a game after a first round bye (something they've never done in the Manning era)? Is their roster healthy? Will the rest make them fresh and sharp, or will San Diego execute better since they have been in "playoff mode" for a while now? How will Marvin impact the game? Yesterday, we saw Green Bay's Ryan Grant have some early game jitters against the Seahawks. How will the Colts' players like Ed Johnson, Anthony Gonzalez, and Tony Ugoh react to their first NFL playoff game?

All these questions, and yet, like last season, you get the sense that these playoffs are different; this Colts team is different. Despite the odds, the history, the team's youth, the whatever, this team has shown the power and resiliency needed to win championships against all odds. There is no complacency with this club. They are hungry. They are angry. They want to beat the crap out of someone.

All week, I have had no SB Nation blogger to collaborate with, and it's left me kind of lonely. Fortunately, many of you have chipped in with some excellent diaries and comments.

The playoffs are finally here for us, and as fans we should take the time to enjoy them. Many teams, and many fans, do not get to enjoy playoff football. We get treated on a regular basis. Here's to a good, clean game with no injuries. Here's to Colts playoff football.

Go Colts!

I encourage everyone to read Bullard47's fine article on the NFL utilizing new media, like iTunes, to show games. When I was at the NFL.com launch party waaaaaaay back in August, I talked with many of the NFL.com guys about how they should invest in a YouTube-like service that would allow fans to post and watch NFL material. It didn't get much love, but Bullard47's post offers additional ideas.

So, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Washington Redskins, and true to John Morgan's prediction, Marcus Trufant had himself a game. Also, Chris at Big Cat Country is doing back-flips after his Jaguars fought off a late Pittsburgh Steelers comeback to win their first playoff game in ten years. I noticed two things from both games:

• Former Colts TE Marcus Pollard caught a two point conversation pass from Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck in the second half. Afterwards, he went to the stands and tossed the ball to a fan. That fan was wearing a Colts jersey. Thanks Marcus. We love and miss you too.
• It's tough to hate on Ben Roethlisberger. Even when he and his team were beating the Colts in 2005, it was tough to hate on him. The guy is just likable. David Garrard continues to show how dangerous he is as a QB.

Today, we've got a 1pm between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eddie V at Big Blue View is not sure which Giants team will show up: JScott over at Buc 'Em thinks the outcome will have less to do with QB play and more to do with the big guys up front: The Giants v. Bucs game is at 1pm Eastern. Be sure to check out Eddie at Big Blue View and JScott at Buc 'Em during the game.

The late game features a very intriguing match-up between the Tennessee Titans and the San Diego Chargers. Like the Jaguars v. Steelers game, these two teams faced each other a few weeks ago. San Diego won that game in OT on a LaDanian Tomlinson TD run. Jimmy at Music City Miracles feels that his Titans must protect the football to have a chance:

SB Nation has no Chargers blogger, but the gents over at Bolt Talk do a fine job talking Chargers football. One of their head bloggers, Curtis Egan, thinks Philip Rivers is a big key to the game: Jimmy will likely blog up a storm over at MCM.

With the Jaguars and Seahawks advancing, who do you want to win today? This is an open thread.

It's PLAYOFFS! time, folks!

At 4:30 Eastern, Washington travels to Seattle. John Morgan from Field Gulls states that CB Marcus Trufant can match-up with Redskins WR Santanna Moss:

Meanwhile, on the complete opposite side of the country, TexSkin (filling in for Skin Patrol) says today's game is the worst possible opening match-up for both teams: Be sure to check out both blogs during the game.

The late game, starting at 8pm, will feature Jacksonville traveling to Pittsburgh. The Jags mauled Pittsburgh last time these two teams played a few weeks ago, and the Steelers are looking for Kill Bill-style payback.

Chris at Big Cat Country feels that the key to the Jags' success is the health of Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamolu:

Pittsburgh fans, like Blitzburgh over at Behind the Steel Curtain, feel Ben Roethlisberger is the real key to the game: Chris and Blitzburgh are always entertaining, so check them out after the Skins v. Seahawks game. So, who are you rooting for? This is an open thread.

Tennessee Titans (9-6) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2)

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Week Seventeen: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

Location: RCA Dome  Indianapolis, IN

Kick-off time: 8:15 pm ET

Broadcast: NBC

Key injuries: Well, after being told all week he will start, the Colts decided last minute not to start a player who hasn't seen the field since early November (tip to Bullard47). Ugh! Also out is Ryan Diem, Keiwan Ratliff, Gonzo, Tim Jennings, Raheem Brock, Robert Mathis, and Ben Utecht. Basically, if Tennessee loses with to the guys the Colts will field tonight, they suck and deserve to sit at home for the post-season. Expect a heavy dose of Jim Sorgi in the second half, regardless of the score.

Sitting Marvin really pissing me off because 1) We know he's healthy, and 2) Peyton wants to get some  on-the-field time with him. If we are wrong and Marvin isn't healthy now, then IR him NOW and let's move on. Constantly switching back and forth between starting him and sitting him is A.N.N.O.Y.I.N.G. He should be healthy now. If he isn't, something is really, really wrong. Even if he is remotely healthy, he should play at least a series or two. Makes no damn sense!

For a Titans fan's take on the game, head over to Music City Miracles and read Jimmy and the boys. Here's to a good, clean finale to the regular season with no injuries. Go Colts!

Lots of playoff intrigue with many of the early games: Will Cleveland win, making tonight's flexed game a must for the Titans? Will Pittsburgh grab the 3rd seed with Roethlisberger sitting? Will San Diego get the 3rd seed? If they do, it would be a re-match between SD and Tennessee from a few weeks ago.

Oh, and be prepared for all the "Perfect Pats" talk today. Again, according to Chris Collinsworth last night, the 2007 Patriots are the greatest team in the history of football. Amazing how Chris always makes statements prematurely regarding the Pats. I suggest you retain and remember Chris' statement last night folks. I know I will.

This is an open thread. Enjoy.

[Update [2007-12-30 11:18:8 by BigBlueShoe]: Thought this was funny regarding last night's game:

Fine. If Cheatin' Bill wants to use something like that to motivate his team, go head. If the Colts used such pettiness to motivate their team, there is literally a Santa sack full of disrespect from the Pats, especially here and here. But whatever, the Colts don't do that. If these two teams should meet, the Colts will likely realize HOLY CRAP, IT'S THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. And such childishness "motivation" is moot when you're in that kind of a game. Again, that's still a big "if" for the Colts and Pats to meet again, but if they do look for Indy to do what it does: Win with class.

Houston Texans (7-7) at Indianapolis Colts (12-2)

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Week Sixteen:  Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

Location: RCA Dome  Indianapolis, IN

Kick-off time: 1:00 pm ET

Broadcast: CBS

Key injuries: Brock, Diem, Bethea, Harrison, and Mathis are out. We'll probably see the starters for the first half, maybe. Since Houston has been eliminated from the post season and Indy is already locked into the second seed, this game is for pride. The Texans have never won a game in the RCA Dome, and I would prefer it if that trend continued.

As always, Tim and the boys do a great job yacking about the Texans over at Battle Red Blog and Da Good, Da Bad, and DeMeco. Master R Wayne and I are sitting in Section 121, Row 33, Seat 107. If any Stampede Bluers show up, stop by and say hi.

Here's to a good, clean game with (please God) no injuries. I want to keep these AFC South teams in their place. So, even though the game means "nothing," I don't want the Texans to start thinking they can win ANYTHING in the Dome. Go Colts!

Indianapolis Colts (11-2) at Oakland Raiders (4-9)

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Week Fourteen: Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders

Location: McAfee (Oakland) Coliseum

Kick-off time: 4:15 pm ET

Broadcast: CBS

Key injuries: Marvin, Diem, Antoine, and Mathis are out. Sorry the open thread was late getting up. Thx to jdb for the temporary open thread. I've spent the morning trying to figure out why the damn site is all screwed up. I think it's one of the rss feeds on the left. Annoying.

Anyway, Jacksonville beat Pittsburgh, which means that a potential Colts win locks up the AFC South and the #2 seed. But Oakland shouldn't have any plans to simply roll over. For a Raiders fan's take on the game, check out the always enjoyable saint over at Silver and Black Pride.

Here's to a good, clean game with (please!) no injuries. Go Colts!