The Starting Five AFC and NFC Championship Picks
Here we go. No more talk. No more nothin’. It’s time to put up or shut the hell up. These are the games where John Facenda’s voice booms from the heavens forevermore. These are the games where NFL history is made. These are the games where young football fans cement their love for teams as they view football with their Fathers for the first time. These are the games they’ll show long after any of us are around to complain about officiating and for two teams today, get ready to pick out ya coffin.
Don’t fall for the media hyping the injuries of key players today. They’ll do the same thing next year this time and every other year for that matter. I’ll let you speculate as to why. Anyone who can actually walk will play today. Wouldn’t you?
Donovan McNabb goes for his 10th post season win. 8 quarterbacks before him with 10 or more wins are either in the HOF or a lock to be enshrined. He will be on the top of his game today and despite what you are hearing about Westbrook, he will be a major factor today. DeSean Jackson will probably break a long one on special teams and of course the Philly D will be having dinner on Kurt Warner’s chinstrap all game. In that 48-20 game on Thanksgiving, Philly didn’t get to Warner once. Don’t count on the old man getting the eff out of dodge today.
Kurt Warner goes for his third Super Bowl appearance. If he wins this game and one more he should be a lock for enshrinement as well. Despite have two of the best young receiver threats in the game, we are still talking about the Arizona Cardinals.
In the AFC you have the epitome of smash mouth you say something and I’ll kick your ass football. Pittsburgh has the more balanced attack but Baltimore is the hottest team left that isn’t wearing green. You can bet the Ravens defense, led by like 1400 cats from the U, wants to go home again. By home, I mean Tampa Bay…where the sun shines in.
Pittsburgh has been the most consistent NFL team this season. Back in week three, when the Eagles and Steelers played, I thought we were seeing a Super Bowl preview. The problem for Pittsburgh is they haven’t protected their quarterback enough. Ben is a big boy but all those hits…
Look for the Ravens to come after Rothelisberger early and often. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes will be key if they can help move the chains when the rush is on top of Big Ben. Moore and Parker will attempt to run the football, but no haps today. Crazy but as I’m typing this, Temple 3 texted me wondering why Baltimore’s defense is getting all the shine when Pittsburgh’s defense has been number one practically all season and played a killer schedule. Go figure.
I haven’t made up my mind if I’m live blogging the game. Depends on where I am and if the green bottles are clinkin’. I’ll let you know by 1 EST.
NFC Championship:
Donovan McNabb writes his own legacy as the Eagles win going away 30-17.
AFC Championship:
Forget what ya heard about the Ravens defense. The Steel Curtain gets slammed on Joe Flacco’s dome in the snow. Tomlin begins his walk along Dungy’s path…Steelers win 20-10.
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January 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
A brother has afternoon service, so I’ll only catch the 2nd half of Philly-Zona game. Donovan McNabb needs to win a Super Bowl. It’s only right.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I won’t be able to flow with you if you do, but I’ve got peeps in DC who are looking forward to a reprise of your live blogging stylo. In fact, they’re doing what you should be doing any minute now —- making that beeeer run!! Whatchuknowsun!?!?
Do that. If I can kick it on the celly, I’m in like Ginn. Otherwise, you know where I stand on these. Pitt and Philthydelphia. Suzy Kolber is trying to scare me because she said Ray-Ray and Ed were up till 2 AM texting about film study. Shiiiiit — so was I. If they only knew what I told Tomlin about those line keys and defensive rotations!! LOL.
Have a great day everyone. If my squad does the unthinkable, I’ll be ghost until the DRAFT. I might even drown from drinking HATERADE.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Heineken or El Presidente, Temple!
January 18th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
DAMMIT PHILLY!!!
January 18th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Buck and Aikman hating like usual.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
D@MN Andy why are you kicking a 47 yard field goal.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Mizzo??? You still with us??
January 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
He’s going in the kitchen to get the holy oil.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
D-Mac has pulled them back on top now can they finish the job? and why isn’t Warner going to Fitzgerald
January 18th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
McNabb-to Desean Jackson!
Mizzo — are you still out there?
January 18th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Looks like they are going to “Larry Franchise” to get to tampa.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
that was clearly pass interference
ridiculous non-call
January 18th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
True MODI but that’s home field advantage in the playoffs late in a game.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Mizzo?? Dear?? Its Miranda…..talk to me sweetie….its ok.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
True Eric but that mess was blatant.
Anyway….steelers are gonna kill the cardinals.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Orgin I wonder how the Philly media will spinthis into blaming D-Mac ’s instead of the Eagles defensive collaspe especially their lack of covering “Larry Franchise” in the first half.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
They will spin it some how.
If I was Mcnabb I would have a sit down with Lurie tomorrow and say “look if I don’t get some weapons I want to be traded and I am only going to the vikings or I will retire”.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
D-Mac was heroic in the comeback…
It’s a shame
January 18th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I stand by my statement that Reid sealed Mcnabb’s fate when he drafted Andrews instead of steven Jackson.
He pretty much wasted his career there.
Time to go else where brotha…….there is still time.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
What the hell?
January 18th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
True Modi its a dang shame. Then still he has to deal with the hate. The thing is the door probably closed on him.
His conference championship record is like 1-4.
He is only getting older, along with Westbrook.
Sad that this generations Elway will probably never get his Terrel Davis.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Yeap Matthew the Eagles once again bring a knife to a gun fight and lose.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
ORIGIN, he didn’t get his Terrell Davis, but he got his Brian westbrook which is not bad at all.
I think that the real issue is that he didn’t get his Shannon Sharpe or his Rod Smith
January 18th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Watch this clip (4:05 mark) from the Harlem nights you see the dude with the lil @ss gun shooting? Thats the eagles……Arsenio Hall and the other dude with the machine guns are the cardinals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0BviO-AsQI
January 18th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I hear you Modi but TD could get tough yards and wasn’t injury prone.
An every down back…..which westbrook isn’t.
Shoot Mcnabb doesn’t even have an Ed Mcaffery (sp?).
January 19th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Somebody needs to show McNabb this article.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/07/31/the-debriefing-i-could-kiss-kevin-garnett-on-the-mouth/
January 19th, 2009 at 12:20 am
True talk Matthew.
Why play with a team that does not give you help. Then every year you are the scape goat and the fans/media constantly hate on you.
F that you might as well go to the Vikings. As a black QB you can’t run from the hate of teh fans and media. But you can go to a team thats actually wants to win and will give you help.
I say F the eagles Mcnabb try to go to the Vikings or even carolina. This is coming from a bears fan. I just want the brotha to win.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Well looks like Pitt will win another Super Bowl.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Yeap yeap.
So the stat will continue…..since the merger atleast 2 teams have won multiple superbowls every decade.
January 19th, 2009 at 3:16 am
I can say one thing, Jamie Dukes and Deion were right last week on the NFL Network when they interviewed him and he did not totally say he was with Philly. And with his mom saying he wants out of there I can see this is the point of no return.
January 19th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Matthew & Origin
I said the same thing to mizz a couple of months ago. McNabb is still a relatively young QB. He needs to pull a Garnett (bounce up outta Philly and go somewhere else to win one) on the Eagles while he still can.
January 19th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Yeap GN or they will use him up until he is old…then cut him.
Its now or never for the brotha.
Make the move Mcnabb.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Relax people. I’m don’t give up!
Forevermore!
Repeat After Me: Why Haven’t….
January 19th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Happy MLK day!
I don’t know if the receivers can take all the blame. Philly’s defense was awful for three quarters, and even you guys have to admit McNabb was erratic throughout the game.
Why hasn’t Philly given McNabb weapons? I don’t know, but most sports owners could care less about winning championships, and only want to make money. I don’t much about Jeffrey Lurie so it’s only speculation at this point…
I’m not as big a fan of McNabb as all of you, but he doesn’t deserve the hate he has gotten, and the Philadelphia Eagles should go ahead trade him, or at very least get him a coach who doesn’t have these annual brainfarts when calling plays.
I think T.O. and McNabb’s football “destinies” are tied together, and neither one will win a super bowl until they unite. Maybe Chicago, or Minnesota.
January 19th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Kirk…great receivers make that catch on 4th and 10 despite the token PI. If Curtis makes that catch the game changes. If I’m not mistaken they were at the Cardinals 25.
Look at what Larry Fitzgerald has done for Kurt Warner. Boldin was hot he wasn’t a factor and neither was Breaston, but at least Warner has them at his disposal. Fitz was Warner’s target and he rode him to the Super Bowl.
I don’t want McNabb to go anywhere but Joe Banner has to make a decision about getting 5 a serious receiver or trade him.
Their ineptitude in these championship games is glaring because they just don’t have enough weapons to get them over the top.
I expect McNabb to get slammed here until training camp. That’s just how they do here and it’s very unfortunate.
The grit label reserved for so many quarterbacks he will not get. Yeah he missed some throws, but what about all the drops? Greg Lewis missed a big one. Basket…damn dude.
What game are people watching where they just don’t get the Eagles weaknesses on the offensive side of the ball?
January 19th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Mizzo, this was a team effort loss for Philly. There were as many bad throws from McNabb as there were drops from receivers( the Greg Lewis drop was as much McNabb’s fault, as it was Lewis’), as there were defensive breakdowns. To say the receivers cost them the game is not fair to an already maligned group.
January 19th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
You are not getting the point Kirk. A number one receiver changes the scope of things. This was definitely a team loss but damnit man I wanna see a stud go over the middle.
You already disclosed you don’t like McNabb so maybe your argument is tempered with bias.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Kirk, ask Eli Manning why he wants Plaxico Burress back because a franchise reciever makes your mistakes look like gold. When it was “winning time” who did the Cardinals go to kirk? Larry Franchise when Warner needed completions on that championship drive it didn’t matter if he was doubled or tripled teamed the Cards rode Fitzgerald into the Super Bowl. D-Mac has never had a franchise WR whom he can trust and I don’t think T.O. is a franchise WR because they don’t throw their QBS under the bus.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:00 am
This loss was another tough one as an Eagles fan because once again the lack of strength at the wideout position was trumped by a team without that problem. In the Eagles four NFC ‘chip losses the opposition has had receivers who played a pivotal role in their losses. The Rams with Bruce, Holt, Proehl, and Faulk. The Bucs with Keyshawn and Jurevicious. The Panthers with Muhammad and Smith. Now, the Cards with Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Breaston. It continually boggles my mind that Reid and Eagles’ management continue to put McNabb at a disadvantage with an above-average on a good day supporting cast. Kevin Curtis and Desean Jackson are too light in the dumper to be true #1’s. Hank Baskett while he has size and decent speed really did fade down the stretch while Jason Avant while good at converting third downs will not receive double coverage from any defense.
Lack of a defense-wrecking pass catcher is bad enough but a fair to middlin’ running game helps no one. I’ve made it clear I’m no big fan of Westbrook because while he’s tough and will strap it up and play through pain, he plays through pain every year and those nagging injuries eventually catches up with him just like they did yesterday. Westbrook is a difference maker but he’s not an every down running back who can carry the team if the passing game is not working. Buckhalter while good in spots is past 30 and Tony Hunt, Ryan Moats, and Lorenzo Booker took/take up nothing but roster spots and cap room.
I won’t even go into the aging tackles in Runyan and Tra who were exposed yesterday as well but the Eagles offense as constituted only reaches the level it does because Donovan F. McNabb is the one piloting the controls. His play yesterday was far from perfect but I do know and anyone else with eyes knows as well that he was the one who brought his team back by putting them on his back once again. The problem is that he’s not getting any younger so performances like that will start to decline unless his supporting cast is improved enough where he can manage the game moreso than having to win it every time.
He is the QB though and that comes with much good and bad but I’ll go to war against anyone who says this guy is not a winner. Put Don Banks on that list:
I’m not going to belabor this, or delve into hyperbole, but it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that Donovan McNabb just doesn’t have it when the clutch moment arrives in a game of Sunday’s magnitude. He’s now 1-4 in NFC title games, and 0-1 in the Super Bowl, and those are not irrelevant statistics to this discussion.
McNabb missed throws he simply had to make on the Eagles’ second-to-last drive, which was their best chance to tie the game and send it to overtime.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:09 am
How do you finish with this after correctly stating the Eagles lack of a go to receiver during his tenure?
Just asking brothaman.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Miz
That’s a quote from Don Banks not me. I should have put quotes around it but I was in a rush.
Calm down, bruh, because I put that there as an example of how the media always put the Eagles’ shortcomings on his shoulders year after year.
January 20th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Thanks brotha Harvey I was about to say. That didn’t sound like you.
I had a whole list of things I was about to post. But I see you guys are posting on the next article. I will post my comments there.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:18 am
Miz, I get the point just fine. I never said I didn’t Like McNabb. I said I don’t like him as much as all of you. McNabb not having a number one doesn’t change the fact that he threw at the feet, over the head, and behind his receivers numerous times in that game. How is that being bias? Is it not fact? Yes his receivers dropped a lot passes as well, but McNabb had 375 yards passing and 3 TDs correct? someone had to catch those passes, Fitzgerald is great, but you can’t possibly think the D played as well as they could have. I said before the entire team was sub par, to lay this at feet of the WR core is not fair.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Eric, I understand that McNabb needs a number one, but people on this board refuse to criticize McNabb. Yes he needs a Number 1 and it’s actually shameful that the eagles haven’t gotten him one, but the man made his share of mistakes.
January 20th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Kirk read my Don piece please. Who here has not criticized McNabb? Are you reading what we write or are you just being adversarial because you don’t see what you like?
If Donovan McNabb has a receiver like every other good quarterback in this league, then their record would have been as such and they would have been playing home in the playoffs.
Dude, I’ve been a fan of this team and have covered them extensively. This is not a minority opinion.
Especially when the out of town writers come in.
In every NFC Championship game the Eagles have been in during McNabb’s tenure, the receivers have been outplayed and he’s faced teams with a total offense.
McNabb missed plenty of throws in Sunday’s game. I would be a fool to not state this, but trust me…it ain’t all about the quarterback here.
I’m not having it and if you don’t like it, go comment with all the haters on other boards.
The legend will not become fact here.
I don’t mind dissent, really I don’t but don’t put words in my mouth.
Please read the posts before you comment.
January 20th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Miz, I don’t love nor Hate Donovan McNabb, I am a fan of teams not players, so there’s no need for me to be adversarial for the hell of it. I read all of the posts, and the majority went like this.
“McNabb really needs receivers, that’s the problem” or
“McNabb made some bad throws, but the receivers were just terrible”
Neither of which was completely true that game. I’ve never said McNabb was completely at fault, In fact I think the defense should bear most of the blame, but anyway there’s no point in arguing about this anymore since neither of us is going to budge. Later…
January 20th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I’m an Eagles fan whether or not McNabb is the quarterback. If you were an Eagles fan you would be tired of the same theme year in and year out.
MCNABB REALLY NEEDS RECEIVERS!!
Dude that’s so obvious. Get over yourself.
Everyone that is not a hater is saying it. What makes you the only person who is right? What are you saying differently? Of the four losses in NFC Championship games, who was most at fault?
Gimme something here. You really don’t have a point but to place blame on the defense THIS time. What about all the other times? What about the Cincinnati game? What about the Rams, Carolina, Chicago or MOST of the games McNabb has lost here when he’s matured?
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
Get over myself? You say I put words in your mouth, and then you say I said I was the only one who is right? I never said that.
As I have said before I have no feelings for McNabb one way or another, and If you would actually read my posts as you advised me to, you’ll see I have said many times that McNabb could use a franchise wr, but Wrs are not a major component to win championships as I explain further in the paragraph below, so all that hater talk should cease.
Anyone who knows anything about football would not say the key to winning championships is wide receivers, or even a franchise quarterback: Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, Kerry Collins, Rex Grossman, a Young Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, and Jake Delhomme all of which have recently played in or won a super bowl none of which is better than McNabb. Only two of those quarterbacks had franchise WRs Eli had Plax, and Delhomme had Steve Smith (No Keyshawn,and Hines aren’t franchise WRs).Could McNabb use a Franchise WR? Sure, but championships aren’t built on them, so complaining about not having one is just excuse making. The key has always been running the ball, and stopping the run.
I only mention this NFC title game because the past title games weren’t brought up. It doesn’t matter anyway the receivers played well enough to win and out all the people you could fault for that loss they’re last on the list.
The rest of the games you mentioned don’t matter because I’m sure the WRs collectively played well at points during the season and well enough that the team made it to the Conference Title game, and played well enough in that game to win it,and conveiniently you left out the Super Bowl in which Donovan McNabb had an all time great receiver,and the Eagles still didn’t get it done, and McNabb didn’t have a particularly good game that day either, too much Chunky Soup, maybe?
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 am
Of course not Kirk, but if you look at the list of SB winning qb’s you will see a prominence of number one receivers. Of course there are exceptions. I disagree with you over Hines Ward and Key. They are better than anything McNabb has ever had besides Owens.
What I’m saying is when you need a big catch to get you over the top a franchise receiver would make that catch or open up the field for your second level receivers to be open.
I do know football.
He has everything else in place–despite a dinged up running back–to have won a SB but has not because he’s in the pocket looking all around and no one is open.
It’s as simple as that. Yes, they have been good enough to win but they have not proved their mettle in the big games.
Why is this even an argument? Would you say the same thing about other quarterbacks?
There should not be a resistance from his organization in light of the success he had when Owens was here.
He set a franchise record for passing yards because of Westbrook’s injuries.
Remember Kevin Curtis–who is a capable number 2–was out most of the year with a sports hernia.
Are you an Eagles fan? Have you covered the team? Been to a couple practices? Been pissed after big drops time and time again during the year?
I doubt it.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 am
I was gonna mind my own business, but…
Hines Ward is not a “franchise receiver.” Perhaps you have your “F” words confused. Maybe you meant “FAST” or “FINESSE” or “FLASHY” or some other largely irrelevant word in describing the craft — but if you actually meant “franchise,” then you need to little more than avail yourself to his standing among other receivers within his FRANCHISE.
I know you either already know the answer or can find the answer.
So, which “F” word did you really mean?
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:37 am
Well being a dolphin fan the Chris Chambers years were plagued by his inconsistency with his hands of stone, so I do know a little about dropped passes,but overall I think we’ve covered all that we can on this topic, So I am done.
Temple, I guess we’ll just have to disagree on this I think Hines Ward in his prime was a very good receiver, but that was awhile ago, but for what it’s worth he’s certainly not finesse.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
Well, to each his own.
I remember the days when a ring (maybe 2) and being ranked #1 in catches, yards, touchdowns and knock out blocks with a single franchise made you a franchise receiver. I’m getting old…or not.
I guess I feel the same way about all the guys who didn’t catch as many balls as he did this year: guys like Moss (both of them), TO, Torry Holt, Calvin Johnson, Braylon Edwards…there are more — but like I said…I’m getting old.
Y-a-w-n!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:36 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txmcnabbprank&prov=st&type=lgns
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Yeah, that’s why I started my last piece off like I did. Cat’s were grown ass men.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
If you’re 37 and 28 and still doing stuff like this, you are a CAREER CRIMINAL. You either need a cell, a serious rehab program, or some time alone in the desert or the mountains for about a decade.
My piece on McNabb’s conversation with the NFL legends is up: Check it out when you can.
http://temple3.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/donovan-mcnabbs-round-table-talk-with-the-legends/
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
By the way, I think my primary point is that you and Kirk are both correct in your assessments of McNabb and the Eagles. It’s a subtle point, but the numbers (of all the legends of the game) reveal to me that you’re both spot on in your critique. It comes down to multiple factors: defense, the run game and overall offensive talent. If you separate these critical factors, you find that even the legends of the game were unable to get it done - almost without exception.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Moon and Marino are the first to come to mind. I think McNabb is dynamic because his win total would be higher if he just had somebody to catch the damn ball in crucial situations.
I’m really tired of talking about the same shit for 10 years….10 years.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
If it makes you feel any better, the Steelers lost SB XXX in 1995 and then went on to lose 3 AFC Championship games (as home favorites) before winning ten years later in SB XL.
Cowher changed his approach in 2005 and it worked. Reid has to get the message, or get in the wind.