NFL Playoffs- Championship Weekend

Last week I once again went 3-1, with my only loss being those guys from New York that wear blue. That was honestly the first time since his suspension that the Giants needed Plaxico Burress. I do have one question though: Why did you stop giving the ball to Brandon Jacobs, especially in those short yardage situations?
6. Philadelphia Eagles @ 4. Arizona Cardinals

Winner: Arizona Cardinals 33-30

Analysis: The trend of post season rematches continue in this match up to determine who will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. A hard game to pick based off the season's statistics because these two teams have morphed into completely different monsters during the playoffs. The Cardinals have found a defense and a new found dedication to Edgerrin James and the running game, meanwhile the Eagles have a rejuvenated Donovan McNabb and a team that is hungrier than it has ever been led by its spiritual leader safety Brian Dawkins. The key to success for the Cardinals will be passing blocking against the plethora of exotic blitz Jim Johnson will be sending their way all game. Everyone knows the secret to defending Kurt Warner is punching him in the mouth a couple times to get him timid in the pocket. If the Eagles can't get to Warner look for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bolden, & Edgerrin James to have big days. The one player who stands in the Cardinals way to Tampa is, Donovan McNabb. McNabb rarely gets sacked and is one of the premier play makers in football. Look for McNabb to put up solid numbers but Philly will need a strong effort from Brian Westbrook, who with the exception of the 70yd screen pass he caught against Minnesota has been M.I.A, in order to have a chance. The Cardinals defense has proved that they can make an offense one dimensional and when that happens they are capable of forcing turnovers and converting them into points.


5. Baltimore Ravens @ 2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Winner: Baltimore Ravens 17-14

Analysis: One more rematch for the Baltimore Ravens, this one against a team who struggled to beat them twice during the regular season. The Steelers beat the Ravens on a field goal in overtime the first time they met and the second meeting was highlighted by the controversial Santonio Holmes TD catch on the goal line. I believe the Ravens deserve to win that game but at the end of the day the referees made the right call. This game was even harder to chose than the NFC match up because these teams are mirror images of each other. Both teams are hungry and playing with a chip on their shoulder. In order for Baltimore to prevail this week they will need to Joe Flacco upright and he has to complete at least 58-61 percent of his passes, I doubt he will be able to just get by like he has the previous two games. I will give Joe Cool his credit though, he hasn't beat the team by turning the ball over and seems to make the right reads, he now just needs to make the throws. The offenses of both teams will pose as the question make in this game because we all now what both of these stellar defenses bring to the table. If the Ravens can put pressure on Ben Rothlisberger similar to that of the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles did earlier this year look for this game to get away from the Steelers even though their defense will keep them in the game for majority of it. I look for both running games to have solid days on the ground but the onus of victory falls on the quarterbacks this week. With that said, it has been proven very hard to defeat a team as good as the Ravens three times in one year.