I'll be the first to admit that professional football only interests me this weekend and maybe next. The Super Bowl is too often a laugher or a yawner and with all the hype I cannot differentiate between preseason, regualr season, and the playoffs. Suffice to that while I pay attention, it is not a prime interest in my sports universe.

Nonetheless, I did watch all four playoff games last weekend. My observations and picks follow:

1. The Colts defense, which leaked like a sieve all season, has really stepped up. Bob Sanders in particular is a force. Can they win this thing with defense and a serviceable effort by Peyton manning? Can you spell irony?

2. Spare me another week of the Bill-Belichick-is-a-genius shtick. He certainly isn’t smart enough to make the other team lose its mind. Could San Diego have two worse mistakes than an unsportsmanlike after they hold on third down and then the fumble after they intercepted Brady? If there is genius, it comes in experience. NE knows how to win. The coach has plenty to do with that, but the Chargers simply gave it away. So many teams are talented but unable to finish.

3. Best thing about the playoff weekend: Nobody talked about Terrell Owens.

Next weekend —

New Orleans over the Bears (Ouch, this hurts being a Bear fan) - 35-31
Colts over New England - 21-17

Colts over New Orleans in Super Bowl - 31 21