(This fictitious account of the 2009-2010 NFL Championship Weekend was driven by Highlight Maker Football by Soren Narnia. For more information about his games, visit Nailbiter Games. – Ed.)
Championship Weekend opened with the heavily favored Colts hosting the upstart New York Jets. The Jets won the toss and defered, hoping to start the game with a defensive stand to gain initial momentum. Unfortunately, a pass interference call on Revis gave the Colts the ball in the red zone, but the defense came away with the small victory, holding the Colts to just 3 points. Later in the opening quarter, the Colts forced Sanchez into a 3rd and long and Session picked off the errant throw. A screen pass to Addai turned into a long gain, setting up Manning who threw a short shovel pass to Clark for the touchdown. Later in the second quarter, Brad Smith broke a big run for the Jets and scored from 30 yards out on a 2nd and 1. The Colts would go on to add a field goal, and held a very shaky 13-7 lead at the half.
The Jets opened the second half with a methodical 84 yard drive that took over 7 minutes off the clock, culminating in a 4 yard TD pass from Sanchez to Keller. The Colts would be unable to answer back in the third quarter, as the Jets defense continued to get better as the game went on, much like their win in San Diego. The Jets offense, on the other hand, continued to play out of their skin as Edwards made a spectacular leaping catch in the corner of the endzone to start the fourth quarter. Manning finally got back on track in the 4th, hitting Garcon in stride for the 55 yard completion. The drive ended in controversy however, as a 3rd and goal pass completion from Manning to Clark would be called back for offensive pass interference. The Colts would settle for the field goal, as Rex Ryan pumped his fists wildly on the sideline. The Colts defense would hold on the next Jets possession, but Manning would turn the ball right back over as Harris batted a Manning pass into the air and made the interception. Putting the game seemingly out of reach with only 2 minutes left, Sanchez hit Braylon Edwards in stride for 64 yards and the touchdown.
With 2 minutes in the game, and facing a 28-16 deficit, Manning went to work from his own 39 following a Jets squib kick. It only took the Colts 75 seconds for Manning to find Collie in the end-zone, setting themselves up for an on-sides kick, down by 5. The miracle comeback wasn’t to be however, but the second straight miracle game for the Jets was to be, as the Jets recovered the on-side kick and ran out the clock. Final Score: Jets 28 – Colts 23!!
In the second game of the day, the Saints hosted the Vikings in what was considered a toss up by most analysts. In an exciting start to the game, Sharper blocked a Vikings punt and ran it back for the score. Favre would put together a better drive on the next Vikings possession, but it eventually stalled and they settled for the field goal. The Saints would tack on 2 field goals of their own, but that would be it for the first half scoring and the half ended with the Saints leading 13-3.
The Vikings continued to look rattled by the crowd noise in the third quarter as Favre turned the ball over again, this time on an interception by Vilma. Reggie Bush would then make the highlight reel as he tore off a 73 yard run only to get caught from behind and fumble the ball away at the Vikings 8 yard line. Both defenses continued to play tough, and there would be no scoring for either team in the third quarter. In the fourth, Brees would lead the Saints 74 yards to the Vikings 8 yard line, but would get picked off in the end zone by Jared Allen. With only 5 minutes left in the game, and down by 10, Favre went to work and drove the Vikings into the red zone. Three straight penalties, two caused by crowd noise, would take the Vikings out of scoring position and following a failed 4th and 35 conversion the Saints were able to run the clock out for the victory. What was supposed to be a game full of fireworks turned into a game of mistakes and turnovers in the Big Easy. Final Score: Vikings 3 – Saints 13!!
