Colts' Dwight Freeney will go after Saints' Drew Brees

It's hard to make heads or tails of NFL's overtime rule

Unique among major sports, the NFL's overtime format does not guarantee each team at least one chance to score. In the 'sudden death' system, the most important play sometimes is the coin toss.

Jim Mora knew Peyton Manning would be special some day

Former Indianapolis and New Orleans coach says he remembers letting the quarterback, then in high school or college, run plays during casual workouts and how well he did.

Hits must keep coming for the Saints

What New Orleans needs to do on defense against Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

Jerry Crowe: After NFC title game, color purple has new meaning for Brett Favre

Text messages from press row. . . .

Saints' Super Bowl berth bridges the Gulf

New Orleans has never needed a provocation to party, but the Saints' NFC championship victory has united the city, and the entire Gulf region, in celebration like never before.

Brett Favre lets Saints march on to Super Bowl

His crucial interception late in regulation costs the Vikings dearly.

Saints move heaven and earth to reach first Super Bowl

New Orleans beats Minnesota, 31-28 in overtime, to win NFC title and reach NFL's promised land after 42 fruitless years, in the process uplifting a city and region still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Peyton Manning, Colts wear down the Jets, 30-17

The Indianapolis quarterback is too much even for New York's tough defense, rallying his team back to the Super Bowl.

Saints vs. Vikings: A case of class vs. crass

While long-suffering Saints and quarterback Drew Brees have united hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, the Vikings and their manipulative mercenary of a quarterback, Brett Favre, are decidedly less inspiring.

Reggie Bush might be the X-factor for Saints

After a dazzling game against the Cardinals, he can help New Orleans reach its first Super Bowl with a victory over the Vikings.

For Colts' Peyton Manning, Jets' Mark Sanchez, a New York state of mind

Rookie Sanchez, who's happy as a Jet, and veteran Manning, who supposedly did not love N.Y., face off Sunday as opposing quarterbacks with a Super Bowl berth at stake.

Watch for overachieving understudies

All four teams have players who have filled big gaps.

Young Colts have caught on

Peyton Manning has done well with some new targets to go with Reggie Wayne.

New York Jets need to throw Peyton Manning off rhythm

AFC championship game: Jets Coach Rex Ryan is sure to devise new looks to combat the Indianapolis Colts and their prolific passer.

Vikings' defense will try to bounce the Saints

Inspired by the movie 'Road House,' Minnesota's Jared Allen is one of the keys to stopping New Orleans' high-powered offense.

For Indianapolis Colts, it all starts with Peyton Manning

AFC championship game: If the New York Jets leave a receiver open, the smartest quarterback in the game will find him.

What the Saints need to do to beat the Vikings

New Orleans will try to protect Drew Brees and hope for big games from Reggie Bush and Darren Sharper in the NFC championship game.