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.
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.
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!!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txmcnabbprank&prov=st&type=lgns
Yeah, that’s why I started my last piece off like I did. Cat’s were grown ass men.
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/
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.
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.
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.