Intriguing Match-Ups Loom For NFC Championship

NFL News - January 12th, 2010 - Written By John

BetUS has odds right now on which teams will meet in their respective conference championships, and a quick scan over the prop bet reveals some really intriguing possibilities.

The NFC Championship would've gotten a whole lot spicier had the Green Bay Packers not lost in the first round, thus eliminating a chance for Round Three of the Brett Favre saga. But Arizona-Minnesota would be a nice meeting between grizzled veteran's destined for retirement.

The winner goes to Miami. The loser goes to Fargo's Senior Home.

There are certainly more intriguing match-ups than others, like New Orleans getting another shot at Dallas, so we're listing the most desirable match-up for viewers, broken down by each team. This is not a list of the most likely scenario, because clearly the top-two seeds from each conference are the odds-on favorites to advance. And the bottom two seeds advancing is the longshot.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints v. Cowboys (+155)

The Cowboys broke New Orleans' perfect season in Week 15, and the Saints have yet to recover. Anything more need to be said?

Saints v. Vikings (Even)

Predictability is not always a bad thing. BetUS has this match-up as the favorite in the NFC tournament with even NFL betting odds, and if it happens, it will promise a sweet finish to the season for one of the conference's top-two quarterbacks.

Brett Favre came out of retirement because he believed he still had something left in the tank, and no one will question him if he makes his third Super Bowl appearance and first since 1998. He has probably put together his finest regular season because of all the circumstances surrounding his return, along with the fact that he's been one of the league's best quarterbacks anyway.

It could also mean a fitting end to another career year for Drew Brees, who tied his season-best with 34 touchdowns and was named the NFC's Pro Bowl starter.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings v. Saints

See above.

Vikings v. Cardinals (+375)

Minnesota was rolling midway through the year, starting 10-1 and mowing down everyone in it's path. Favre was error-free through weeks eight and 12, and it appeared the Vikings were hot on New Orleans' trail for the top seed in the conference.

Then Week 13 happened, when Arizona hosted Minnesota on Sunday Night Football, and tore up one of the league's better defenses. Kurt Warner threw three touchdowns in the game and the Vikings were blown out, 30-17. That started what would be a 3-3 finish to the year, and relegated Minnesota to a narrow clinching of the second seed.

If the match-up happens, it could be the end of the line for Favre or Warner. One will have a jubilant return to the Super Bowl, while the other will be left pondering retirement. Sources say Warner has been thinking of hanging it up for the past few weeks, while Favre has been doing it for the past four years.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Cowboys v. Saints

See above.

Cowboys v. Cardinals (+500)

It may have been a long time ago, but Jerry Jones certainly remembers. In 1998, the upstart Cardinals, led by Jake Plummer, made the franchise's first playoff appearance in the Super Bowl era and beat Dallas, 20-7, in the wild card round. It started a 13-year drought in which the Cowboys didn't win a playoff game.

That was until last week.

Tony Romo played terrific in the opening round win against the Eagles, and Dallas is clearly the hottest team in the NFC with five wins in a row.

This match-up is the longshot of the group. It would mean both of the top-two seeds in the NFC are one-and-done, which happened last year, and guarantee one more game at the football cathedral that is Cowboys Stadium for all the marbles. Arizona could become the first team since Buffalo in 1994 to return to the Super Bowl after losing the year before. No team has ever won the Super Bowl after losing it the prior year.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals v. Vikings

See above.

Cardinals v. Cowboys

See above.