by Andre van der Merwe
Daily Lobo
I don't really want to seem like a bandwagon-jumper or anything, but to increase my odds of picking the two teams to meet in Super Bowl XL, I'm definitely going to have to do some jumping here.
My pick for the 2006 Super Bowl is - trumpets playing in background - of course, the Patriots taking on Chicago. Yeah, I know, I know, "Da Bears?" you might ask, but I feel their overwhelming defense will be able to contain any threat that the 'Skins can throw at them.
After the Bears' secondary shut down Steve Smith and the Panthers, we all know the Redskins are less offensive than my brother's morning breath. Tom Brady has never lost a playoff game, so - wait, what was that you said? The Patriots lost to Denver? Smith ripped the Bears apart? What is going on here? All right, new game plan.
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After four intense hours with a highly sophisticated game-predicting machine - also known as a PS2 - and the brand new version of software - "Madden 2006" - my results are in. After stomping the assistant sports editor, who regretfully chose Pittsburgh, here it is: Denver will trample the Steelers.
Denver, however, will only be able to pull past Pittsburgh if it can produce the yards on the ground. Any ball thrown in the air by Denver has a huge likelihood to end up in the hands of Pittsburgh's defensive back, Troy Polamalu. He covers more ground on the field than anyone in the NFL today.
In the second game, the Seahawks will fall to the Carolina Panthers' small, medium and big playmaker in Smith. Smith, who single-handedly led the offensive charge against the Bears, will continue to be Carolina's not-so-secret weapon in the NFC Championship. If, and only if, the Seattle Seahawks can stop Carolina's new offensive show - which they can't - then the ball will have to bounce their way, the wind will have to be to their backs, and the refs will have to get paid a little more than usual.
As far as the Super Bowl goes, according to "Madden," the Broncos will rise above the Panthers on the big stage with the composure of Mike Shanahan being able to stick with the game plan and John Fox trying to get too fancy, disappointing us all with failed trick plays and only lost yards on the Steve Smith reverse.
Bronco fans, be ready to celebrate on Feb. 5 until the start of next season, because Denver won't be returning anytime soon.
