Since 2004, EA Sports has been using their latest version of the Madden football software to predict the winner of the year’s super bowl. Only once has it been wrong, in 2008 when the Giants beat the Patriots 17-14. The simulation returned to form the following year, with the score of the Steelers/Cardinals game being only one point off from the simulation on both sides of the ball.

This year, Madden puts the Saints up over the Colts with a score of 35-31, earning the Saints their first ever Super Bowl win and Drew Brees as MVP. Add this to the long list of prognosticators picking the Saints and it seems like Madden might well have another quality pick on its hands. Here’re the highlights from the simulation from EA Sports:

“The first three quarters display the offensive fireworks that both teams have become known for, with the Colts leading 24-21. A nail biting fourth quarter begins with a big play, courtesy of the Saints’ special teams, when Reggie Bush returns a punt for a 42-yard touchdown. However, with minutes left in the game the duo of Joseph Addai and Peyton Manning put the Colts back on top with a go-ahead touchdown pass. With the game hanging in the balance, Drew Brees hits David Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown and the game winning score.”

Come Sunday, we’ll see just how accurate that is!

N.Y. Jets (11-7 SU and ATS) at Indianapolis (15-2, 11-6 ATS)

The Jets have now won 5 in a row and 7 of 8 and have not allowed more than 15 points in any of their last 8 games. Their lone loss over this span was at home to Atlanta 10-7 win week 15. In that loss the Jets outgained the Falcons 314 to 238 but rookie QB Mark Sanchez was intercepted three times. The week following that loss the Jets defeated the Colts but only after the Colts pulled most of their starters which renders useless almost any reliance on that game as a guide to what can be expected in this "rematch."

The Jets have matured as a team over the course of the season and showed in San Diego that even when they are outmanned in terms of offensive potential the play of their defense can keep them in games. That will be put to the test here as the Colts present a very formidable challenge although the Colts' over reliance on the passing game often bodes well for an outstanding defense. Over the past few weeks, for example, we saw Dallas' defense look unbeatable twice against the one dimensional Philadelphia offense only to be torched by Minnesota's well balanced offense last week. The Jets fared well last week against San Diego primarily pass oriented offense. San Diego had the number 31 rushing offense during the regular season. The only team worse? Yep, Indianapolis averaged just 81 rushing yards per game. Even in last week's win over Baltimore the Colts ran for just 42 yards on 25 carries and gained just 275 total yards for just 3.9 yards per play. There are many similarities between the Ravens and the Jets that go beyond the fact that Jets coach Rex Ryan was the architect of the Baltimore defense in his years as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. Offensively as well Baltimore relies very heavily on the  run. But as well as the Ravens fared defensively last week in limiting the Colts to just 20 points, the offense could produce just a single FG.

The Jets will continue to do what they do best -- run the football and control the clock. Their best chance for success is to keep QB Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense off the field as much as possible and use their own rushing offense to wear down the Indy defense. In their Playoff wins over both Cincinnati and San Diego the Jets fell behind 7-0. But that was the most by which they trailed in either game. Being down by only one score does not mandate a change in the game plan. But fall behind by two scores or more and things take on a different complexion. The Jets are not build to play from far behind, especially with a rookie QB against an experienced, and underrated, defense. The Colts can afford to be patient knowing that they possess quick strike ability should it come down to that being needed. Although they just mailed it in over the final few weeks of the season the Colts allowed 17 or fewer points in 10 of their first 13 games. This game could go one of two ways. Either the Jets are successful in keeping this a low scoring, competitive game throughout which would enable them to cover and perhaps win the game outright. Or the Colts can get out to a 14 or 17 point lead and force the Jets to pass the ball in playing from behind which would greatly limit the Jets' chances of putting points on the board. But both scenarios make for a low scoring game, something along the lines of perhaps 20-17 if the Jets can keep it close, or perhaps along the lines of 27-10 if the Colts are able to get ahead by a couple of scores or so. Indianapolis' experience edge would tend to favor them in establishing a big lead. But the Colts were not a dominant team this season with half of their 14 regular season wins coming by 4 points or less. The Jets are a confident team but the preferred play in this game looks to be on the Total. An upset would be a surprise but not a shock considering how the Jets have played and it's hard not to respect a team with the game's best rushing offense and top defense. Still, Manning has made plays time and again including this season when he led several fourth quarter comebacks. The call is for the Colts to win 20-16.

Take NY JETS +8.5 and +350 ML

Minnesota (13-4, 10-6-1 ATS) at New Orleans (14-3, 9-8 ATS)

In winning their Divisional Playoff games last week both teams showed  little rust from rest but rather displayed the form that for most of the season made this the heavily favored matchup for the NFC Title. Minnesota's 34-3 win over Dallas on Sunday was just as one sided and dominant as had been New Orleans'' 45-14 dismantling of reigning NFC Champ Arizona a day earlier. New Orleans hosts their first NFC Championship game ever and is only in the second such game in franchise history, having lost at Chicago in the 2006 Playoffs. Minnesota is in their first NFC Title game since the 2000 Playoffs when they lost in this game for the second time in three seasons.

Both the Saints and Vikings have plenty of offense, most of which comes from the passing game. Saints' QB Drew Brees had an outstanding season that was equaled if not surpassed by Minnesota''s Brett Favre. On the surface many would conclude that with Adrian Peterson that the Vikings have the better ground attack. Yet during the regular season the Saints actually averaged more rushing yards per game than did Minnesota (132 vs. 120). That edge is magnified on a yards per carry basis as New Orleans averaged 4.5 yards per rush to the Vikings' 4.1. Overall the Saints had the NFL's number 1 ranked offense with New Orleans ranked number 5. It's on defense where Minnesota has the decided edge, ranking sixth in allowing just 306 yards per game (New Orleans allowed 358 ypg, number 25). Much of Minnesota's edge is against the run, allowing just 87 ypg (3.9 per rush) to the Saints' allowing 123 (4.5 per rush).

This game should be all about offense and not just from scrimmage. As he showed last week, Reggie Bush gives the Saints an outstanding kick return game. Rookie Percy Harvin(Probable) provides the same potential for Minnesota. Which suggests the return game could set up Brees and Favre with short fields. The series history strongly favors Minnesota as the Vikings have won 8 of the last 9 meetings with New Orleans dating back to 1994. Minnesota has won each of the last 4 meetings, 3 of which were played in New Orleans including a 30-27 win in 2008. The last 4 meetings have also gone OVER the Total as have 7 of the last 9 (with one UNDER and one PUSH). Certainly the indoor conditions of the Superdome will make  things easier for the offense and since the Vikes also play in a domed stadium they will not be at a disadvantage and should also be better able to deal with the noise from the partisan Saints' crowd. Much may be made of the Vikings' road woes this season, splitting 8 such games but losing each of their last 3 road games of the regular season at Arizona, Carolina and Chicago. But it must be noted that after starting 10-1 and wrapping up their Division so early there really was no sense of urgency in those road games. Sure, the Vikes might have wrapped up the number two seed earlier or have had a chance for the top seed but the fact is that the Vikes had attained the goal of making the Playoffs and as an elite team were getting the host's best effort in front of their home fans especially with each of those three games being played on either Sunday night or Monday night. This game handicaps as a shootout. The Vikings scored at least 27 points in 14 of their 17 games, scoring 30 or more 11 times. New Orleans scored at least 27 points 12 times and scored at least 35 points in 8 games. The two offenses have to be rated as even with Minnesota having an edge on defense. Is that edge enough to overcome New Orleans' playing at home? And which will prevail -- Minnesota's series history against the Saints or Minnesota's past failures in NFC Title games?

This should be a most entertaining contest and the team with the ball last has an excellent chance to move his team down the field. The opening line translates to a 28-24 New Orleans win. And while a 4 point win by either team seems reasonable it''s hard to envision the losing team scoring just 24 points. Minnesota looked at the signing of Favre as the missing component of a run to the Super Bowl. Both teams are very talented, especially on offense. But Minnesota has the more proven defense and better overall balance and despite their late season road woes are more than capable of winning on the road. Favre will have more than a small amount of fans cheering for him. New Orleans at home only laying 3' looks very enticing!

Take NEW ORLEANS -3'