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2008 NFL Playoffs, Championship Round: My Picks

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2008 NFL Playoffs, Championship Round: My Picks

I was 3-1 last week, after going 1-3 in the Wild Card Round, it feels good to say I'm 4-4.

So let's get to business.


Ravens vs. Steelers- The reason I pick the Ravens is this: defense wins Championships, and although you could argue the Steelers have the best defense, I would disagree.

Notice the Steelers beat the Ravens twice this season, twice, in teeth-grinding games, both coming down to the wire. Ravens can't lose thrice can they? I don't think so, but that's not the only reason I'm going with the Baltimore D, they're the hot ones right now.

Did the Titans choke away last weekends game? No, the Ravens stripped those balls in the end zone, and they pounded the Titans in their teeth and broke 'em all. The Steelers do not have a better offense than the Titans, so what does that mean?

It means in the field-position game, the Ravens will have an edge. It's the big time now, $150 on the Ravens.

Ravens: 19-10


Cardinals vs. Eagles- So another weekend, another card that tells me the Arizona Cardinals are destined to lose. I'm not buying. I've picked the Cards all through the season and put the chips on my man Warner, sadly he didn't come through in most of my Fantasy Leagues, but he's won me money the past two weeks.

Is it funny to see Warner has a playoff record of 7-2? No, not really, after all, from 1999-2001 Kurt Warner was the indisputable top QB in the whole league. I'm not going to go as far as to say he's back to his old Rams days, believe me he ain't. He's slower, and his awareness is still iffy, but the Cardinals Offense is a stove top ready to burn, and Warner is the olive oil.

The playoffs are not predictable, they never are. In recent seasons, even more doubtable, this is why I picked against both No. 1 seeds last week, because the No. 1 seed means nothing. The Eagles have shown that as the Steelers did in '05, but there's an aura about the playoffs.

Why did Brady keep winning those Super Bowls? Why did he win two on those last flawless drives? Why did Manning comeback down 18 to the Pats in the AFC Conference Championship in '06? Why did the 18-0 Patsies lose to the hapless Giants?

It's called PLAYOFFS, it's called one game, one moment each player on each team has to shine. The Cardinals are hungry, they are hungry not only as a team of today, but as a team for all time, for I remember when my Rams beat the Bucs with that TD catch in the end zone.

I remember, it happened because it was meant to happen, just as Gary Anderson choked away the 98 Vikings season, and just like Thurman Thomas coughed up Super Bowl XVIII for the Bills. I feel it for the Cards, do you feel it to?


P.S. To all you Eagles fans, if McNabb leads the charge and makes his trip to Tampa, you'll be happy to know I'll be out $250. Enjoy the game, fellas.

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