Let's break these games down....
Philadelphia at Arizona-
In January of 2002, Donovan McNabb and Kurt Warner squared off in the NFL title game, which was closer than many thought. McNabb had a chance to lead his team down the field at the end of regulation with 2:20 left and 55 yards to go for the win. On a fourth and seven, Aeneas Williams picked off McNabb to end the game. Now, they meet again, and once again Warner is at home and McNabb is on the road. The way I see it, it all comes down to how the Cardinals defense plays. They shut down the Panthers offense last week, which is much more formidable than what they go up against this week. My concern is that the 'Tards can't be consistent enough. Also, the Eagles create the fuck out of turnovers, as well as pressure. Warner is the perfect QB to dick with and be successful with doing this. Also, E. James always gets his ass shut down against kickass defenses. That's how I see this playing out. Also, Desean Jackson is due for a long return.
That was a nice couple of little home wins by the Tards but the fairy tale ends Sunday. This is like when Philly won vs. the Falcons in the NFC title game; they are just going up against inferior shit. Eagles 26, Cardinals 18
Ravens at Steelers- - I'd like to see this game if all the Ravens on defense were healthy. But they are not. Suggs is fucked and Rolle is all jacked up as well. That hurts the Ravens. Big Ben always makes a few kickass timely long bombs that demoralizes teams in close games. He'll get a couple here. One thing I am not confident in is Pittsburgh's running game. I know Cowher was saying that Willie Parker's got fresh legs right now, but that dude doesn't impress me at all. He's not going to have two straight great games like that. I like Hines Ward in this game. He's a dirty bitch who will piss off the Ravens D and be successful at it. And I forsee Dick Lebeau assraping Flacco. I do.
I think back to the Jan. '05 AFC title game when Big Ben was "no longer a rookie"
How often have you heard that about Flacco. Newsflash, dumbfucks...he's a rookie. And at some point, the rookie qb WILL show up. That's not a knock on Flacco....it's just the way it is. The right d-coordinator looks at the right piece of film at some juncture, and that will be Lebeau. I remember how "veteran" Big Ben looked that year, and then in the AFC title game, Belichick and Crennel tore him a new shithole and he threw three picks. No shame in that, it's just what happens to rookies. Raven injuries and having a rookie QB will be the difference in this game, even though the Steelers can't seem to ever win AFC title games at home in recent history. They get it here. Pittsburgh 17 Ravens 9
