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spt_nfl_playoff_matchups[i-1].body = "You are going to hear three names more than any other during the Super Bowl build-up: Lovie Smith, Rex Grossman and Brian Urlacher. Smith is the Bears’ coach, and much will be made of him being the first African-American coach to take his team to the Super Bowl -- followed within hours by Colts’ coach Tony Dungy.
Grossman is the baby-faced quarterback who could take a place alongside Trent Dilfer of the 2001 champion Ravens as the most modestly talented quarterback ever to win the big game. Like those Ravens, the Bears don’t expect much from the offense, relying instead on a smothering, punishing and opportunistic defense to force turnovers -- four against the Saints -- and win games.
That defense revolves around Urlacher, the middle linebacker, but cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher are going to be under extraordinary pressure covering Colts’ wide-outs Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. And Urlacher will probably have to help cover Indy tight end Dallas Clark, a clutch target. The Bears prefer to let an opponent beat itself, making punter Brad Maynard unusually important in the battle for field position.
Offensively, the Bears will try to run Thomas Jones, who had 123 yards against New Orleans, and Cedric Benson. When Grossman has to pass, his favorite target has been receiver Bernard Berrian. Player most likely to come up with a game-breaking play is return specialist Devin Hester.";
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For the first time in his brilliant career, Peyton Manning has made it to the Super Bowl, beating nemesis Tom Brady and the Patriots to do it. Get ready to read more about Manning than you thought it was possible to write. Also be prepared to read about how much pressure is on him as he tries to do what Dan Marino, the quarterback he is most compared to, couldn’t do -- win the Super Bowl.
Also be prepared to read about Colts coach Tony Dungy, who, like his quarterback, has the rap of never winning the big game. In Dungy’s case, the charge goes back to his days as the Bucs’ coach. But this Colts team is loaded, from rookie running back Joseph Addai, who has blossomed into a first-class ball carrier, to Pro Bowl wide-outs Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, to clutch tight end Dallas Clark.
But the Colts defense also has stepped up in the postseason. The man given credit for the defense’s renewed energy is safety Bob Sanders, who was injured for much of the year before returning just in time for the playoffs, where he his aggressive play has rubbed off on the entire unit. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are superior pass rushers and have to make sure that Bears quarterback Rex Grossman does not have time to find his receivers. The entire Colts front seven will have to stop the Bears running game. If it comes down to a kick to win, the Colts’ Adam Vinatieri may be the best playoff kicker ever.";
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The recipe isn’t complicated, nor is it easy: Play for field position, don’t put the game in Grossman’s hands, pressure the opposing quarterback, force turnovers. The one element most likely to guarantee a second Lombardi Trophy for the Windy City is turnovers. If the offense can avoid them and the defense can force at least three, Chicago should win this game. That’s a tall order, but so is beating Indianapolis.";
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Indianapolis has to take care of the ball. The Bears beat the Saints by forcing four turnovers. The Colts fell behind the Patriots thanks to an interception returned for a touchdown -- the kind of play at which the Bears excel. But after that first-half mistake, the Colts took care of the ball and ultimately took care of New England. If the Colts have no turnovers against the Bears, it’s hard to see how they can lose. ";
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They can’t fall behind and rely on Grossman; the stage is too big and Grossman’s confidence too thin to rely on that. If Chicago gives the ball away, gives up a couple of big plays, and finds itself two touchdowns behind, it will probably not make up the gap, not against the caliber of opposition they’ll be facing on Feb. 5.";
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Indianapolis was very shaky on special teams against the Patriots, giving up several long returns. The Bears have the best returner in the business - Devin Hester. If the Colts don’t play better on special teams and give up a couple of big returns to Hester, they could be in trouble. If they compound that by failing to contain the Bears’ running game and lose the turnover battle, they will lose and the questions about Dungy and Manning will continue -- even though it won’t be their fault.";
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Conference Championships
Sunday, Jan. 21
Chicago 39, New Orleans 14
Indianapolis 38, New England 34
Super Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 4
At Miami
Indianapolis vs. Chicago, 6 p.m. (CBS)
Divisional Playoffs
Saturday, Jan. 13
Indianapolis 15, Baltimore 6
New Orleans 27, Philadelphia 24
Sunday, Jan. 14
Chicago 27, Seattle 24, OT
New England 24, San Diego 21
Wild-card Playoffs
All Times EST
Saturday, Jan. 6
Indianapolis 23, Kansas City 8
Seattle 21, Dallas 20
Sunday, Jan. 7
New England 37, New York Jets 16
Philadelphia 23, New York Giants 20";
// END editorial data