Ok, I’ll admit it: My NFL playoff predictions have been, well, embarrassing and far from correct at times the last two weeks. But I’m not the only one who has been off. At least, unlike the ESPN Sports Guy, I had a winner last week!
Just how bad have I been in the playoffs? I’m 2-2 on the AFC side of the bracket and a miserable 1-3 on the NFC. So, by backtracking and analyzing my picks, I’ve come to a few realizations. I know absolutely nothing about the Cardinals – not like you did either – and I have been dead on the money about the Ravens. Continuing on that track, I’m going to put my best foot forward, let’s take a look at the AFC Championship Game first.
AFC
BALTIMORE @ PITTSBURGH: It is not often that teams meet three times in one year, but here they are, meeting again with the AFC title on the line.
The Ravens have been flying high and hitting hard, beating the best of the East and the South and now will attempt to beat the best of the North – an accomplishment they have failed to achieve twice already this year.
Their opponent, the Steelers, cruised past the Chargers last week, have the confidence of knowing they beat the Ravens twice this year and will have those obnoxious terrible towels wavering around with the home-field advantage.
Both matchups this season have been decided by four points or fewer in favor of the Steelers.
Here’s five reasons why I think either team can win.
RAVENS win because …
1. They have given up 10 points or fewer in their last three games.
2. Joe Flacco is a more experienced quarterback now than he was in Week 4 and even Week 15.
3. Baltimore’s defense has forced eight turnovers in its last two playoffs.
4. Revenge – nobody wants to lose to the same team three times in one season.
5. Charger Philip Rivers’ 308 yard passing performance last week gives the Ravens a blueprint to pick apart the vaunted Steelers defensive unit.
STEELERS win because …
1. Big Ben has a big game.
2. Willie Parker has another career outing.
3. The No. 1 defense can’t lose to the No. 2 defense.
4. The Ravens have too many injuries.
5. The Ravens have not had a bye since Week 2, but the Steelers had one two week’s ago.
Prediction: Despite losing to the Steelers twice this season, the Ravens have too much momentum going into this game. Expect Joe Flacco and Ed Reed to have big games and continue to be the leaders on their side of the ball as the Ravens head to the Super Bowl after a gruesome-physical defensive battle, in a game which will be decided by whichever team makes fewer mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. Look for the offensive statistics, and the final scores of the game, to be low.
Baltimore Ravens 16
Pittsburgh Steelers 13
NFC
PHILADELPHIA @ ARIZONA: No, that is not a typo, and yes, the Cardinals are hosting the NFC Championship Game. From my perspective, this is the least interesting matchup that could have ever came to be this year, with the winner going to the Super Bowl. The Eagles, remember, were the “worst” team in the NFC East heading into the season, and for a time, throughout it. The Cardinals made the playoffs by default – the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks couldn’t even reach .500. But like every game – except when the Eagles played the Bengals earlier in the year – someone has to win and someone has to lose.
EAGLES win because …
1. They are playing the Cardinals.
2. This far into the season, Kurt Warner must be getting tired.
3. The talent of the Eagles defense will not leave Larry Fitzgerald wide open the entire game.
4. The Eagles will contain the recently emerging Cardinals’ running attack.
5. The Cardinals aren’t allowed to play in the Super Bowl, it’s against the rules.
CARDINALS win because …
1. They are playing at home.
2. This may be their only chance to make it to the Super Bowl, ever.
3. Their defense continues to shock the world.
4. Anquan Boldin returns.
5. Road-weariness catches up to the Eagles after traveling from Minnesota to New York to Arizona.
Prediction: Although they have the advantage of playing at home, the Cardinals are due for a major letdown after upsets at Atlanta and Carolina. The Eagles have been consistently scoring as of late, while holding down the opposition to 14 points or fewer in their last six games.
Philadelphia Eagles 24
Arizona Cardinals 17
Feel free to comment with your own predictions below.
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