BeltwayBoy Sports We cover sports in the Washington D.C. region.

It’s Put Up Or Shut Up Day In The NFL

I really hope these are good games today and keep us on the edge of our seats because in this years NFL Playoffs that has been a rarity. There are a lot of different story lines at work today in these Conference Championship games. Can Rex Ryan keep his New York Jets marching toward the teams 1st Super Bowl appearance in 40 years? Going into the playoffs he predicted his team to be the one to beat and were Super Bowl bound. I have absolutely no problem with the man saying that about his team because in order for his players to buy into him, they must feel he buys into them! What would his players and the Jets fans think if he would have said "we are so happy to be here and this season has been a real learning experience and will help us in the future". The season would have been over in the Wildcard round. It shows no confidence in his team and sends the wrong message! The game in Indianapolis later today will be a good old fashioned knockdown drag out punishing type of game. For the Jets to win they must be able to run the football and protect QB Mark Sanchez when he drops back to pass. Ball control and and no turnovers are vital as well. The best way to beat the Colts is to keep QB Peyton Manning on the sideline. They also must get a pass rush and pressure Manning because he will make mistakes. He does not make many, but when the opportunity is there to make a play, it must be made! Redskins CB Carlos Rogers is the perfect example of woulda, coulda, shoulda and came up empty. He probably has the most dropped INT's in NFL History! If the Jets are still hanging around by the time the 4th quarter rolls around things could get interesting! In the NFC the Vikings and Saints will be a good game with the potential to be a track meet. Can QB Brett Favre guide the Minnesota Vikings into the Super Bowl at the age of 40, I think he can and will! The New Orleans defense is not as good as people think, they have been very opportunistic and scored several defensive TD's during the regular season. I really like their head coach Sean Payton who has done a great job since being hired in 2006. I'm going with the Vikings to pull it off and play in Miami in 2 weeks! I have a shout out for the fans of Americas Team who I know were distraught after last weeks spanking by the Vikings, it's not all bad. As I told you on last weeks show, you now get to see your players play in the Pro Bowl and winning last week would have prevented that from happening. Well you guys got even better news this week, Wade Phillips and his staff will coach the NFC Pro Bowlers! See Cowboys Nation, a win last week would have robbed you of that as well!