the 4th star

Wake up! The annual National Football League post season hibernation ends with a game that no one really cares about anymore. Can the NFL suck any more life — not to mention momentum — from the playoffs? Unless you are in South Beach, or happen to have your team in the Super Bowl, the game just does not resonate like it used to. Blame the Internet.

That’s right. The same vehicle which gives analysis up the wazoo is also responsible for turning me off of the biggest game of the season. It’s information overload; pundits, columnists, writers, and hacks all trying to find a new angle while all essentially saying the same thing. It bothers me that I don’t care, but all of it just melts together in a repetitive pool of stats I don’t really need. Curtis Painter can’t stand green grapes, but he loves red ones? Fascinating. Too bad that won’t apply to the outcome of the game. The overkill has made its way all the way up to Winnipeg — trying to find a reason to cheer is next to impossible, as neither team is the Giants or an opponent of Brett Favre.

My point is that the world is no longer in love with the game. We’re in love with the idea of the game. On the subject of the heart, you’ll love these wagers. Or at least the idea of them.

Coin Toss
Saints -110
A coin was flipped to make this pick.

Peyton Manning
Under 310.5 yards passing
I expect the Saints secondary to really focus on Manning. I expect them to keep the extra guy back there to avoid the big play. I also expect the Saints to mix in a few tackles (something they didn’t do against the Vikings), making this pick totally worthless.

Saints versus Colts
Total points over 56.5
Ignoring that last pick, this one could turn into an arena football game by halftime. It will interesting to see how the Colts deal with the Saints passing attack. Mark Sanchez is no Drew Brees. Indy may have to send some heat to keep Brees from getting comfortable, which is what the Saints want. People question the game line (Colts 4.5 points favourites). The total points number is equally confusing.

Vikings? Naw, I’ve always loved the Saints.