Conference Championship Previews

Well, we are down to the final four in the NFL, and what a surprising final four it is. There is a two seed, a four seed, and both six seeds remaining in the bracket with a shot to win Super Bowl XLIII. For some reason, I am not as excited as usual about championship weekend...maybe it has something to do with the possibility of seeing the hated Eagles in the Super Bowl haha. But hey, these should be two great games no matter who you pull for or despise.

Last week, I went 2-2 in my picks, a vast improvement over the 1-3 record during the wild card round. So to whomever I pick as the conference champions below, I am sorry in advance for placing a curse on you. On to the game previews:

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: (6) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT (4) ARIZONA CARDINALS
TV: 3 PM Sunday on FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ
Kickoff forecast: 71 F, sunny
Last meeting: the Eagles opened a can of whoopass in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night, defeating the Cardinals 48-20 (Week 13)
Officials: R Walt Anderson, U Undrey Wash, HL Kent Payne, LJ Tom Barnes, FJ Jim Saracino, SJ Greg Meyer, BJ Scott Helverson

The Eagles simply gave the Cardinals (or Buzzsaw, as they are becoming known as in the blogosphere) the business on Thanksgiving. Usually, turkeys are the only birds getting carved up on Turkey Day, but not that night. But I don't think that game was representative of Arizona, seeing how they had to travel from Phoenix to Philadelphia on a short week, after an excruciating game against the Giants nevertheless.

I don't think we can completely blame them for that poor showing on national television.

As well as Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald are playing, Arizona has gotten this far because of their defense. They have forced both Atlanta and Carolina away from their bread and butter, the running game, and capitalized on mistakes. This was a unit that was average at best during the season, but like the Colts two years ago, could be finding their groove at just the right time.

Philadelphia provides another challenging test for the D, as they will have to slow down Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and a less-than-100% Brian Westbrook. As proven last week, McNabb is back to running the ball on designed passing plays, and we all know how dangerous he is with his legs.

Offensively, they will need to find a way to protect Warner, and use a balanced attack so Jim Johnson just doesn't tee off on the passer all afternoon.

Philly's defense is playing great football, but they will be hard pressed trying to put the clamp on Warner, especially in front of a charged up crowd at University of Phoenix Stadium. They need to force turnovers and get pressure on Warner to win this game, and I think they are up to the challenge.

But in a minor upset, I am taking the Cardinals to achieve their first Super Bowl trip. A key matchup to keep an eye on: Larry Fitzgerald's size advantage over Philadelphia's small, but very physical, corners. The Eagles haven't given up a passing touchdown in five games, but I expect that streak to end on Sunday.

PICK: Cardinals 27 Eagles 24

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: (6) BALTIMORE RAVENS AT (2) PITTSBURGH STEELERS
TV: 6:30 PM Sunday on CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff forecast: 24 F, cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers
Last meeting: the Steelers won in Baltimore 13-9 (Week 15) to sweep the season series after winning in Pittsburgh 23-20 (Week 4)
Officials: R Bill Carollo, U Ruben Fowler, HL Ed Camp, LJ Byron Boston, FJ Gary Cavaletto, SJ Scott Steenson, BJ Tony Steratore

We always hear stories about how difficult it is to beat the same team three times in a season, and that is what the Steelers are faced with entering the AFC Championship Game. But nothing's impossible, just ask Joe Flacco, the first QB to ever win two playoff games. Pittsburgh has to be confident over the fact that the Ravens are 1-7 in the Steel City since 2001, but in a game and rivalry as meaningful as this one, throw all numbers out.

I think it is quite obvious that the defenses will play a huge role in whom represents the AFC in Super Bowl XLIII. But when all is said and done, one of these offenses is going to have to find a way to move the ball and put some points on the board, although I am sure both are hoping their defense will help them out. The Ravens struggled mightily to gain positive yardage on the Titans, and really only won because of Tennessee's turnover issues and the field position battle.

If they want to go into Heinz Field and upset the Steelers, they are going to have to get pressure on Roethlisberger, force him into an interception or fumble, and capitalize on the opportunity, and hope Sam Koch has another monster game punting the ball. I just don't think you can count on LeRon McLain, the running game, or Flacco having much success in this contest.

The keys for Pittsburgh are pretty much the same: run the ball effectively, control field position, create mistakes, and avoid mistakes. But they do have one decisive advantage (besides the obvious one, home-field): Big Ben Roethlisberger. Joe Flacco doesn't play like a rookie, but I'd still take Roethlisberger's five years and Super Bowl ring in any scenario. The guy is beat up, but continues to be a warrior and leader for the Steelers offense.

This will be a hell of a game between two teams that frankly don't think much of the other. A relatively new NFL rivalry, Baltimore-Pittsburgh has been gaining steam in recent years thanks to the old-school, smashmouth approaches utilized by each team. This will turn into a classic defensive battle that lifts the rivalry up to an entirely new level, and I look for Pittsburgh to win by creating a Flacco turnover at a key moment in the game.

PICK: Steelers 17 Ravens 10