Sports to Ponder

Chances are that today’s AFC and NFC championship games will be over by the

time you pick up this paper and happen upon this column which was written

yesterday.

So we’re giving you a checklist of what you may have seen

already.

The pre-game predictions you see below are either sports wizardry,

educated guesses, wishful thinking, mind-control or simple buffoonery.

And

simple buffoonery is the most likely of all.

The NFC

n The Rams take an

early 14-0 lead, and it looks like a blowout, and all of the neo-Rams fans are

thinking Super Bowl.

But, unbelievably, the Rams bog down against the

Tampa Bay defense. Also, unbelievably, the Buccaneers scratch back on offense

and whittle away with a touchdown, extra point and three field goals for a

16-14 win.

n Martin Grammatica, the Tampa Bay kicker, is named as the

game’s MVP.

n Kurt Warner passes for over 300 yards and comes close to

getting the Rams in the end zone, but can’t do it in the second half.

n

Anyone who betted on Tampa Bay as 131/2 point underdogs is happy right

now.

The AFC

n The Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been knocking on the

door to the AFC throne for a few years now, finally get into the Super Bowl.

Tennessee gives it a whale of a try, though, and comes up on the short end of a

30-21 score.

n Mark Brunell is on fire, throwing for three TD passes, and

he gets the game’s MVP.

n Eddie George of the Titans rushes for 150 yards

and two touchdowns and Steve McNair passes for a TD.

n It’s an all-Florida

Super Bowl, folks.

So is it wizardy or buffoonery? You’ll know by

now.

The good thing, no matter what the outcome, is the Super Bowl will

have new blood.