NFL Playoffs: Conference Round

Some interesting matchups.

I'm going to make my picks now, while this weekend's games are fresh in my mind.

Philadelphia at Arizona: A 9-7 team vs. a 9-6-1 team. Who would have thought? I love this game. Both teams are on fire, both teams are playing excellent defense, both teams' playmakers are getting things done. This is easily the best and most interesting matchup of barely-above-.500 teams, ever. I love how Arizona's defense is playing right now, but I think Philly's defense has been even better.

Can't wait to watch this game. If you had told me these two teams would be in the NFC championship several weeks ago, I'd have thought you were insane. I'm rooting for Arizona, but I don't think they'll pull through. I think Philadelphia will find a way to break up the Cardinal offense's rythym, and I think McNaab and Westbrook will come up huge when it counts. Donovan is getting it done right now. Eagles 34, Cardinals 24.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Another great matchup. Two more teams playing outstanding defense and running the ball. I seriously think this is the most interesting Conference Round we've seen in terms of matchups in years.

This is another game where I'm rooting for one team but picking another. I want the Ravens to win, but I believe Pittsburgh's defense is too much for Baltimore. Pittsburgh's experience could be the proverbial "x-factor" in this one. I also love how Tomlin is coaching. Pittsburgh's been my pick for the Super Bowl since the start of the playoffs, and I'm sticking with them here. Close, hard fought game. Steelers 21, Ravens 20.

I see an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl.

So I was 1 for 4 in my picks this weekend, but I think my scores were close if they were the other way around. Hopefully I can pick better this round.

Philly @ Arizona -- Cards have made believers out of me. They've stopped Turner, they've stopped DeAngelo, they WILL stop Westbrook. Both defenses are playing outstanding, but I really don't think Warner can be contained. Arizona 27, Philly 21

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh -- So Big Ben got it done. I had San Diego in what was a toss up game for me, but Pittsburgh has shown that they are dominant. Sproles had 11 carries for 15 yards after gaining a thousand total yards the game before. Ben has shown he can play well against great defenses throughout his career and much of the season. Steelers will be too much for Joe Flacco and this Ravens offense. Pitt 20, Baltimore 10


I mean seriously, who wants a Pennsylvania Super Bowl? Not this guy. The media is already handing it to Pitt and Philly. A Mr. Kurt Warner will have something to say about that.

I'm a believer in Warner and the Ravens D. Cards and Ravens!

I'll take Pittsburgh over Baltimore and Philly over Arizona.

Philly @ Arizona: Gotta ride my guys. McNabb, Westbrook, and all of JJ's kids. Eagles 28 Cardinals 20

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh: Too much Ed Reed. Ravens 15 Steelers 10

Well beings I was one of the few that picked Arizona to win the Panthers, I will let it ride and pick Arizona again to defeat the Eagles, 31-14. Their defense has been butter because they are on a roll forcing key turnovers, and I think they can do the same to McNabbs pass happy offense. Not to mention I believe Arizona fans will be rabid next week to give their offense some problems at the line of scrimmage.

As far as the other game,

No rookie QB has taken a team to the super bowl let alone win 3 consecutive road playoff games. The Steelers are also very dangerous with a healthy Willie Parker. I think the Steelers can put up more points on the board than Baltimore. Steelers win 24-10.

Raven win 38-14
Eagles win 27-21

Those are some high scores you got there, especially Ravens and Pitt.

Pitt giving up 38 points?

I don't see it.

A team with less than 10 wins will be in the Super Bowl for only the third time in 40 years.

At this point, I have to pull for the Eagles, only so I wont have to hear Kurt Warner open yet another postgame interview with "Well, I give glory to God...".

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Originally Posted by Swampdog

A team with less than 10 wins will be in the Super Bowl for only the third time in 40 years.

At this point, I have to pull for the Eagles, only so I wont have to hear Kurt Warner open yet another postgame interview with "Well, I give glory to God...".

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This is what I dislike about Kurt Warner. And didn't he "pray his way back" from that arm injury last season? Ugh...

That said, I do love him as a player, and I like the team a lot.

I'm rooting for them, but I think the Eagles are too much.

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Originally Posted by justanewguy

This is what I dislike about Kurt Warner. And didn't he "pray his way back" from that arm injury last season? Ugh...

That said, I do love him as a player, and I like the team a lot.

I'm rooting for them, but I think the Eagles are too much.

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Didn't Donovan say the same thing right after they won, I believe so. Come on guys, every athlete says that.

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Originally Posted by bucher34

Didn't Donovan say the same thing right after they won, I believe so. Come on guys, every athlete says that.

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Warner is in a different class, though. He's up there with guys like Kitna that talk about God at the drop of a hat.

Well, if you take a look at Warner's career, how he got there and what he is doing now, I would be thanking God too. Holy cow he's been replaced twice by younger, supposedly better quarterbacks (Bulger and Eli) and almost a third and soon-to-be (Leinart), but he still seems to fight and succeed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bucher34

Well, if you take a look at Warner's career, how he got there and what he is doing now, I would be thanking God too. Holy cow he's been replaced twice by younger, supposedly better quarterbacks (Bulger and Eli) and almost a third and soon-to-be (Leinart), but he still seems to fight and succeed.

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Then where was God for Ryan Leaf's career?

The point is, the winner will thank God, but what about the loser? Logically, there's nobody to thank for a win except yourself and your teammates. Yeah, people are into God. That's fine. I don't mind people thanking God when they win something, but do they hold it against God when they lose? I guess I don't understand thanking God when you win, from a logical standpoint.

And, again, Warner is in a different class when it comes to being all about God.