Conference Championship Preview

Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Drew Brees and Mark Sanchez have all made it to the NFL's Conference Championships. If one of those names looks out of place to you, don't worry; the football odds agree.

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis (3:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Sanchez and the Jets (11-7 SU and ATS) are the biggest underdogs on the board this Sunday at +8. That's consistent with last week, when the Jets were as high as 9-point puppies in their 17-14 Division Round victory over the San Diego Chargers. Sanchez posted a 60.1 passer rating during that game, close to his regular season average of 63.0, but that was enough support for the league's best defense to get the win. New York is 7-1 SU and ATS in its last eight with just 9.4 points allowed per game. The UNDER is 5-3; Sunday's total was 39 points at press time.

The Jets look pretty appetizing with that spread topping the magic number seven. But the midweek consensus reports had Indianapolis (15-2 SU, 11-5-1 ATS) pulling in nearly 60 percent of the action. The Colts were –8 (EVEN) when the NFL betting lines opened Monday morning; now the chalk is at the standard –110 in order to encourage some balanced action on New York.

But will it ever come? Although the Jets represent the Big Apple, the Colts are the more public of the two teams, and they'll get even more attention as the big favorites in this matchup. Manning has been voted league MVP for the second season in a row and the fourth time in his career. He led the Colts to a Super Bowl win just three years ago. The Jets haven't been to the Big Game since Joe Namath was their quarterback.

From a value perspective, the Jets are well worth a look in this situation. Don't be too quick to dismiss their Week 16 win over the Colts just because Indianapolis began pulling its starters in the third quarter; it was a closely fought contest up to that point, with the Colts (-3) leading 15-10 when they gave Manning the rest of the day off. Sunday's rematch could be that way for the full 60 minutes.

Minnesota at New Orleans (6:40 p.m. ET, FOX)

The NFC has played second fiddle to the AFC for over a decade, but the balance of power has shifted this year thanks to the rise of the Vikings (13-4 SU, 10-6-1 ATS) and the Saints (14-3 SU, 9-8 ATS). This game features two of the top quarterbacks of this or any era. Favre (107.2 passer rating) had maybe the best season of his 18-year career, throwing 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Brees led the NFL with 34 touchdowns (11 picks) and a 109.6 passer rating. That's why there's a fat total of 53 points up on the board for this matchup with the Saints pegged at –4 (–105), as they were at the open.

These were two of the most publicly adored teams in the league this year. But the bubble burst on the Saints in December, as they wrapped up the regular season at 0-5 ATS. The Vikings also encountered rough seas last month at 1-3 SU and ATS; however, January has been nothing but profitable with crushing victories over the New York Giants (+9) in the regular season finale and the Dallas Cowboys (+2.5) in the Divisional Round. Dallas was one of the hottest teams in the league going into the playoffs at 4-0 SU and ATS.

This game has the earmarks of an instant classic with either side capable of winning. The Saints were ranked sixth overall in team efficiency at Football Outsiders, one spot ahead of the Vikings. But New Orleans is the more banged-up of the two teams, with RB Pierre Thomas (ankle), WR Robert Meachem (ankle) and TE Jeremy Shockey (knee) among those playing through pain. The Vikings might be vulnerable on the defensive line, though, with DE Ray Edwards and DT Kevin Williams both missing Wednesday's practice with knee injuries. Edwards was the defensive star in the victory over the Cowboys with three sacks and a forced fumble. If he can play, Minnesota can pay.

This information is provided in partnership with BoDog Sportsbook

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