…it might just look like that for a couple weeks now and then (save Jamie representing the Bears, of course)

I could write about my experiences watching the game in downtown Indianapolis, cheering like a madman and hugging strangers after the Addai touchdown and the Jackson INT. Or how great it was to see so many people come together on the Circle at the heart of the city to honk their horns and high five strangers and cops and whoever was around. It was probably the best night as a sports fan I’ve ever had.

But instead I think I’ll just write about a few little things that have been missed in the hubub.

• I give you two points, for you and your gallant crew. How important was that two point conversion to Marvin? if they had just gone for the point after, that last Patriots drive would have been a “field goal sends it to OT” drive and Brady would not have had to force that pass that Marlin Jackson intercepted to seal the game. And if they had failed to convert the 2 point play, end of the game would have been “field goal wins it.” Instead, it was Colts by four, forcing the Patriots to drive for a touchdown or bust. Great call by Dungy to go for it, and great catch by Marvin to make it happen. Why hasn’t this been talked about more?
  
  Taking a cue from Khan, Tony Dungy gave two points to the gallant crew of the Colts. (Image courtesy treknews.de)

• Ellis Hobbs, I thank you. Your faceguarding of Reggie Wayne in the endzone put us at the 1 for a desperately needed score. (Side note to any Pats fans who thought it wasn’t interference: he never looked back for the ball and blocked the receiver’s chance to catch. Even if he doesn’t touch the receiver, that’s interference.) I’m not a fan of Greg Easterbrook or his Tuesday Morning Quarterback column but a crazy interesting stat came out of today’s column.That Ellis Hobbs interference penalty was the first pass interference penalty called against the Patriots in 11 quarters of playoff football against the Colts. No interference penalties called in the 2004 AFC championship. No pass interference penalties called in their 2005 playoff game. None called until that 3rd quarter interference by Hobbs.How the Patriots, known for mugging receivers off the line (especially in the playoffs) could go 11 quarters of playoff football without getting called once is beyond me. But I thank Ellis Hobbs for making his so obvious it had to be called.

• Dan Klecko, touchdown machine. DT/FB/Badass Dan Klecko is tied for the team lead in postseason TD receptions. At 1. And that play was nothing new, it had worked earlier this year and failed earlier as well. So who’s selling #61 jerseys?

• It is possible that Mankins is on the threshold of a golden age; but if so, it will be necessary first to slay the dragon that guards the door.* The moment that Pats G Logan Mankins recovered that fumble in the endzone for the Patriots’ first TD I had this sinking feeling of “oh no, not again” and you could tell Manning did too. I wonder how much of that led to the offense’s lack of productivity in the first half. Did it get in their heads? Did Manning try to force it too much because he had visions of losses dancing in his head? Who knows. (*Yes, that is a poorly modified Bertrand Russel quote.. What of it?) Whatever happened at halftime, I hope someone got a recording of that speech.

• I could shut this place down. I could.. I could put strychnine in the guacamole. Wow, I haven’t seen a tantrum like that since 1992 when my sister was told she had to go to bed and didn’t wannnnaaaaa. Bill “The Genius(tm)” Belichick not only gave Peyton the shoulder brushoff at midfield when Manning wanted to shake his hand, but his post game interview was full of more mumbles than Milton in the basement.

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  Bill Belichick in the offseason. he said no salt. NO SALT! (image courtesy screensavers.com)

• To refs about to suck, we salute you. Actually, the blown calls were pretty even on both sides which is always nice to see in the playoffs. A few interferences not called here and there (both sides), the ticky tack roughing the passer made up for the obvious blows to the head that Manning was taking just a drive earlier. My only beef is still with the Jabbar Gaffney TD. it really did look to me like his heels were out of bounds when he jumped for the ball. But hey, in the end it doesn’t matter so whatever. At least Jeff Triplette wasn’t on the crew for this game.

• Fuck American Express (MasterCard fucking rules.) Peyton Manning gets the Kissing Suzy Kolber treatment and tells all those critics where they can stick it.

• Bonus Bears Comment! You know Sexy Rexy has reached cultural phenomenon status when you hear some random guys who don’t look like your typical (or even atypical) internet users in a hole in the wall Greek restaurant call Grossman “Sexy Rexy” in casual conversation. Remember: The Sex Cannon didn’t throw that pass too long - the end zone is just too damn short.

• I have been, and always shall be, your friend. Queue endless stories of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith being OMGBFF!! I look forward to stories about pillow fights, sharing secrets in each others’ diaries and going to camp together. This will put the Genius ™/Mangina friendship angle from the wild card round to shame.
  
  Lovie… I have been, and always shall be, your friend…. (image courtesy utfp.org)

Should be a great two weeks of uncontrollable hype and media overexposure. I’ll just do my part.Note to self… two references to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan without using “Khaaaaaaaaaaaan!” has to both be a record and a failure. Do better next time.