Don't mess with the Jets

On to Sunday's NFL conference finals.
The big question? Can the upstart New York Jets pull off another upset, this time over the heavily-favoured, Peyton Manning-led Indy Colts?
Answer?
Yes.
It says here Colts will rue the day they laid down and allowed the Jets to sneak into the playoffs through the proverbial back door when Indy coach Jim Caldwell decided going for a 16-and-0 record and a place in NFL history was worthless.
Bad decision.
Jets will make Colts pay for that gross insult to the league, the record book, the players and — most importantly — the fans.
Sure, conventional wisdom dictates Colts will win. Manning has no peers, really, when it comes to his play at quarterback and his receiving corps is second to none in the NFL. Plus, Colts shut down a Baltimore Raven ground game last weekend that had run roughshod over the New England Patriots — on the road.
But Jets are the feel-good story of the NFL playoffs so far and though it's a longshot, there are ways they can win.
First, establish the running game; second, find a way to limit Manning. Face it, he can't be stopped, so Jets must find a way to control the damage he'll inflict on them.
Jets are 2-and-0 against the Colts in the playoffs, including Super Bowl III when Broadway Joe Namath shocked the world and the NFL establishment by leading his AFL underdogs to the big prize. Do you think Jets coach Rex Ryan will be reminding his players of that neat chuck of history?
Key stat: Jets had the No. 1 rushing offence in the NFL this season; Colts were 24th against the run.
Game breaker: Jets rookie RB Shonn Greene has run for 263 post-season yards including a 39-yarder for a TD against Cinci and a team-record 53-yard TD scamper against the Chargers.
Vikes at Saints?
Evergreen QB Brett Favre is yet another feel-good NFL story this season, shuffling out of the NFL retirement home to steer Minny to the conference final. Blah, blah, blah.
One problem, Favre's greatness — that he wants the ball in all key game situations — is also his greatest weakness. He'll either win you the game or turn the ball over.
Key stat: Minny hasn't won on the road since Nov. 1.
Game breaker: Saints star Reggie Bush counted 217 all-purpose yards against Arizona last weekend.
Jets and Saints, Super bowl bound.