By Aaron Smith
Similar to the dropping temperature in Rochester, NY – teams left in the NFL playoffs are slowly dwindling to a mere four. While most teams are beginning to plan for the proverbial “next” season (including the annual pillage of the Patriots’ coaching staff and front office), this Sunday’s results will determine who represents each respective conference in Super Bowl XLIII. One game features a battle of 2 of the best defenses currently in the NFL, while the other showcases 2 teams that most people nearly wrote off about 6 or 7 weeks ago. Let’s break down both games:
AFC – Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The terrible towels will be in full force on Sunday, as this games features 2 of the best defenses in the NFL. Baltimore’s defense continued to be opportunistic and forced the Tennessee Titans offense into 5 turnovers on Sunday. Expect them to look to do the same. Problem is – this is the best offense they have faced to date in the playoffs. Ben Roethlisberger has multiple weapons to distribute the ball in Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington and Heath Miller. In tight situations look for Big Ben to go to his favorite target -Hines Ward. That being said – if weather conditions allow, expect the Steelers to stretch the field and go over the top to Holmes early. Keeping the Ravens defense honest will hopefully allow the Steelers to open some holes for Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore. Parker appears to be finally healthy, but the Steelers will need to have success running the ball on Sunday, or Ravens will sit back and give Big Ben headaches all day. Joe Flacco is quickly turning into the James T. Kirk of rookie quarterbacks – going where no rookie quarterback has yet to go. He will certainly have his work cut out for him against a very good Steelers’ defense. Flacco did show a lot on Sunday making some fantastic throws against the Titans – but will he be able to do it again in a very hostile environment? Will the Ravens be able to help out Flacco by running the ball? Considering that Heinz Field is quickly becoming the Bermuda Triangle for Field Goal kickers – do the Ravens want to rest the outcome of the game on Matt Stover’s foot?
Prediction: I am not sure that the Ravens are going to have success moving the ball against the Steelers, and I don’t see the Steelers self-destructing like the Titans did last week. The Ravens defense will keep it close, but in the end, too many options on the Steelers’ offense. Pittsburgh 23 Baltimore 10.
NFC – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
First, let me apologize to Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals for doubting them last week. Guys, I had your back the last week – just didn’t think you had it in you against Carolina. You proved me wrong. The Eagles continue to look impressive as their Giants-like run to the Super Bowl continues for another week. Again the Cardinals are home – a huge factor. This Cardinal team – especially their defense, really feeds off crowd energy. And this defense has played extremely well in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. Their offense has been exceptional as well with Larry Fitzgerald making acrobatic catches and giving defenses nightmares. Anquan Boldin missed last week – will he be able to play this week? If not Steve Breaston will be expected to step in and deliver. Also TE Stephen Spach was injured in the game against the Panthers with a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the playoffs – another weapon, another comfort zone for Warner, will not be there on Sunday. How much will this affect the Cardinal game plan and how will it affect Warner’s distribution of the ball? Can Asante Samuel cover Larry Fitzgerald or will he need help? If he can’t, Brian Dawkins will be forced to help out against Fitzgerald leaving the backside defensive back in a 1 on 1 situation. Hence the importance of Anquan Boldin being healthy or Steve Breaston stepping up. If so, it could be a long day for the Eagles defense. Expect Jimmie Johnson to blitz early and blitz often. Not letting Warner get comfortable in the pocket will be key for the Eagles.
As for the Eagles’ offense – how healthy is Brian Westbrook? Reports are coming in of a swollen knee and a high ankle sprain. Will the Eagles’ offensive line give Donovan enough time to hit his targets. One of the keys to the Eagles win over the Giants was their ability to convert on third down – including some third and really long situations. I am sure Andy Reid would love to avoid those situations this Sunday. Will the Eagles continue their third down success? IF they can keep the Cardinals defense on the field – it certainly help take the pressure off the Eagles’ defense. The Cardinals defense was opportunistic on Saturday, forcing 5 INTs from Jake Delhomme – can they do it again? Can they force the Eagles to turn over the ball, as the Giants were able to pick off McNabb twice on Sunday? Will Andy Reid design plays in an attempt to get Westbrook the ball more?
Prediction: This is going to be a great game, and if anyone says this is going to be an easy one to predict – they are out of their mind. In the end – while I would love to see the Cardinals in the Super Bowl – the Eagles defense and their ability to play on the road will lead the Eagles to a victory and a Super Bowl berth. Philadelphia 33 Arizona 28.
Super Bowl XLIII – An all Pennsylvania match up – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Enjoy the games!!
Cold in Rochester? I’m just glad I’m not in Minnesota where there are reports that it is so cold your face will freeze in 10 minutes.
What would it mean to have your face freeze in 10 minutes? Does that mean that when the cold takes effect if your eyes are open, would…would you not be able to blink until you thaw out? brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Hey Wally! Any idea on this?
A ‘Keystone State’ Super Bowl? Worse things could happen.
Tell me again why the Pittsburgh baseball team should be relegated to the minor leagues, and the Steelers are anything but?
Pittsburgh having to beat Baltimore three times in a season would worry me if I was a Steelers’ fan. How many times have NFL teams beaten another three times in a season?
I know Donovan McNabb plays for a division rival. But is there a player in the league who has NOT won a Super Bowl and is more deserving of one? He didn’t play spectacularly on Sunday. He did what his team needed him to do to win.
Any other Larry Fitzgerald fans out there? It’s great watching that guy go about his business on the field. I remember seeing him play in college and thinking he was good. He has become something special.
This just in – Ricardo Montalban has passed away. No more Fantasy Island.
Smitty: If the NFC team wins the Super Bowl, will it be the first time a team with less than 10 wins did? I know I could look it up, but I’m being lazy. 🙂
Chas to answer your question – the ‘Skins won in the strike-shortened season with a record of 8-1. The Green Bay Packers were 9-4-1 in 1967. After that the ’88 49ers were 10-6, and the ’74 Steelers were 10-3-1.
You ask – I answer – at your service. Of course I had to look it up and friggin’ Wally probably knew that off the top of his head. 🙂
It might be time for me to change my thumb nail.
Whaddya think?
Should I bring back Pat Reily?
Casey beat me to the punch. Nice job Casey.
To break it down further – the worst record for a team to be in a Super Bowl and lose, was the 1979 Los Angeles Rams (9-7) who lost in the Super Bowl to the John Stallworth and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That was when Jack Youngblood played in the Super Bowl with a broken leg.
By the way – I have refrained from saying anything. But can we remove Eli Manning from discussions about being one of the elite QBs in the NFL right now? He looks lost without Plaxico and his inability to get about 4 inches on a QB sneak was embarassing.. Even Troy Aikman called him out on that one..
Have I missed an elite quarterback discussion?
Nope.. I am starting one..
Yeah, I think Eli was always in the second tier of any of those discussions. I’ve said to a few people that Eli played like we expected him to in last year’s playoffs. I’ll take the good with the bad, though. It won us a Super Bowl.
Okay, I didn’t even think about 14-game or strike-shortened seasons, but if either of them win, they’ll be the worst team (by winning pct) to win the Super Bowl. Of course, I’m rooting for the AFC champ to annihilate either one of them. Can you imagine if Arizona were to win the Super Bowl? What did they lose by to the Pats in the second to last game of the season?
Pats won I think 38-7 but Chas never mind that – the Jets put 56 up on them..
Another example of – The NFL? Is it parity? Or is it mediocrity?
I think it is a little bit of both – probably more parity..
I think the NFL has done alot to itself as well with the different rules changes. Not saying the rule changes are bad, I just believe that some of them have opened things up and allows for comebacks.
But ultimately, the salary cap is driving the parity and it is exactly what the owners wanted. Think about – unlike Major League Baseball and probably the NBA – every team goes into each season with an honest chance. A couple of roster changes here, a trade there and a good draft – and boom – you are suddenly making the playoffs after a 1-15 season the year before. No other league allows for that type of recovery..
Before anyone says the Tampa Rays, just remember that they have been collecting No. 1 picks like they are carry over rollover minutes from Cingular.
The NFL is currently the most popular of the pro sports. To get and stay there they have put into place a system which helps their product reach as many markets as possible. What has improved the league has not necessarily improved the game. Referring to conversations we have had here on ‘The Bench’ and on ‘The Clipboard’ much has been made about the difference between the NFL in the 70s and 80s (and the early 90s) and now. Yeah those earlier decades had dynasties that created an elitist feel to the NFL. But plop any of those teams (Steel Curtain, Monsters of the Midway, 49ers, Jimmy Johnson’s Cowboys) down in the current NFL, and they would run rough shod over the league. That to me means there is more mediocrity than parity.
I’ve been out of pocket a couple of days, but am back on the bench. A Couple responses to some points made above:
a) 10 below zero aint cold. Come to Alaska and I’ll show ya cold. We had two straight weeks starting right after Christmas where nightime lows were regularly 25-30 below in Anchorage … and we’re on the coast. (This was an abnormal cold spell for Anchorage). Fairbanks was more like 50 below. Now we’ve had our 4th day in a row at 50 above. All the snow is melting … go figure.
b) On to the predictions for Sundays games …
Arizona will beat Philly 28-26. This isn’t your father’s Cardinals squad … very well balanced on offense … great passing game … under-rated but excellent D … and they’re at home. McNabb gets a little careless in this one. Plus my neighbor went to school with Jim Hart.
Steelers 21 Ravens 17. I just cannot pick against the Steelers at home. Defenses will dominate, but Pitt has more clutch, savvy players on offense who’ve been there before.
Happy weekend!
Chas – I disagree. Those teams were in place because there wasn’t restrictions on salaries..
In fact the Cowboys of Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer ran into both the cap and injuries as the cause of the downfall to their dynasty.
The talent is up in the NFL. Guys are coming into the league faster and stronger then every before. Problem is teams develop great players and those players want to get paid – preferably with the guaranteed signing bonuses. A lot of teams run into the cap issue and can’t keep those same teams that were dominate for a couple of years.
Now teams are just one signing away from making them a good team. To me that isn’t mediocrity.. Everyone is playing with the same restrictions.. To me that is parity..
This just in – the National Audobon Society is a planning a demonstration at halftime of the NFC Championship game. They do not appreciate the depiction of our feathered friends as beings that seek to inflict injury upon others.
🙂
The pass interference call on the Eagles final drive on 4th and 10 might be the worst non-call in sports history. If it was two guys ‘manning’ up and fighting for a ball then yeah – don’t throw a flag and let it be. But the Cardinal defender trips, and in desperation while he is on the ground reaches out and trips the Eagle’s receiver. A clear instance of where the receiver is put at a disadvantage. Terrible ending to a great game. It was a black-and-white call. The DB was clearly trying to save a touchdown and figured a penalty would be smart and the ref thinks that just because it is late in an important game, the rules suddenly change.
Rey —
Agree it was a very bad non call, but the team that won deserved to win. The Cardinals are for real, as I predicted Friday they would win (above). They grabbed the lead and completely controlled the game in first half. Then they fell asleep until the clutch late game drive to win it. This Cards team is legit. Curt Warner still has it … he sees the whole field and can really throw it.