NFL: NFC & AFC Championships ...is there a doctor in the house?
Does it get any better than this? Put 2 solid games together and you've made history. Each of the remaining 4 teams has the same task at hand.
"Just win baby".
No one is completely healthy. It's been a very long season...4 preseason games, 16 regular season games and now the play offs. One of these teams will block out the pain and their substitute players will step up better than the other 3 teams.
Turnovers, special team's play and defensive points usually make the difference this time of year.
NFC Eagles vs. Cardinals
The Philadelphia Eagles have concerns with their all-everything play maker RB Brian Westbrook. His knee injury has not allowed him to be explosive. Thus placing the offense in unfavorable situations with respect to down and distance. Poor production on first down tends to make the Eagles abandon the run and become pass happy; which can lead to turnovers.
On D the Eagles have defensive backs that are short in stature; which must give them nightmares when faced with the gargantuan WR tandem of Fitzgerald and Boldin. Heart and soul of the defense, SS Brian Dawkins is nursing a very sore back. If the defense gives up points early and the team falls behind, the offense may press and abandon the run in favor of the quick strike... and I have already discussed where that can lead.
The Arizona Cardinals enjoy a clear advantage in the passing game. With the physical mismatches that may prove fatal for the Eagles, the Cardinals can go over the top at will. The Eagles catch a break. WR Anquan Boldin is still nursing a tender hammy. The deep threat is still there with Fitzgerald but 3rd and long may be a bit shaky.
One benefit of misusing Edgerrin James all season is that he is particularly healthy late into this campaign. A serious ground threat is a terrific weapon this time of year. It allows you to better control down and distance and clock management. You can literally run out the clock while your opponent's offense stands on the sideline helplessly.
The question is whether the running game and O-line can adequately protect QB Kurt Warner. It takes time for long passes to develop and it's hard to stand in the pocket after sustaining a few mind numbing blows.
AFC Ravens vs Steelers
This should be a low scoring affair. Mistakes and turnovers will be huge. The kicking game may make the difference. These teams know each other very well and are eerily similar in many ways. Competent, yet non-explosive offenses with bone shattering D's. Can you say smash mouth, head cracking football?
Pittsburgh enjoys the luxury of home field advantage. But which Ben Roethlisberger will show up today? The 'Big' Ben that plays within himself and grinds out the victory or 'Wild' Ben that forces passes and doesn't secure the ball? Didn't he just have another serious concussion a few weeks ago? (actually an injury worse than a simple concussion)
DB Troy Polamolu will play but his gimpy knee may limit his ususal hair flying, ballistic assault. The Steelers' D should be charged with aggravated felony assault after this game.
The Ravens offense comes down to 3 things. Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco...need I say more? If they fall behind early...Joe Flacco. If they can't run the ball and get forced into 3rd an long...Joe Flacco. If they need a game winning drive with time running out...Joe Flacco.
The Ravens' defense has the walking wounded in DB Samari Rolle (groin)and OLB Terrell Suggs (shoulder) but otherwise strap your hat on tight. They will leave everything that they have and bodies on the field.
Ouch...I wonder what type of shape the winner of this game will be in for the 'Big One' in 2 weeks?
A cortisone shot ain't gonna fix that!!
"Just win baby".
No one is completely healthy. It's been a very long season...4 preseason games, 16 regular season games and now the play offs. One of these teams will block out the pain and their substitute players will step up better than the other 3 teams.
Turnovers, special team's play and defensive points usually make the difference this time of year.
NFC Eagles vs. Cardinals
The Philadelphia Eagles have concerns with their all-everything play maker RB Brian Westbrook. His knee injury has not allowed him to be explosive. Thus placing the offense in unfavorable situations with respect to down and distance. Poor production on first down tends to make the Eagles abandon the run and become pass happy; which can lead to turnovers.
On D the Eagles have defensive backs that are short in stature; which must give them nightmares when faced with the gargantuan WR tandem of Fitzgerald and Boldin. Heart and soul of the defense, SS Brian Dawkins is nursing a very sore back. If the defense gives up points early and the team falls behind, the offense may press and abandon the run in favor of the quick strike... and I have already discussed where that can lead.
The Arizona Cardinals enjoy a clear advantage in the passing game. With the physical mismatches that may prove fatal for the Eagles, the Cardinals can go over the top at will. The Eagles catch a break. WR Anquan Boldin is still nursing a tender hammy. The deep threat is still there with Fitzgerald but 3rd and long may be a bit shaky.
One benefit of misusing Edgerrin James all season is that he is particularly healthy late into this campaign. A serious ground threat is a terrific weapon this time of year. It allows you to better control down and distance and clock management. You can literally run out the clock while your opponent's offense stands on the sideline helplessly.
The question is whether the running game and O-line can adequately protect QB Kurt Warner. It takes time for long passes to develop and it's hard to stand in the pocket after sustaining a few mind numbing blows.
AFC Ravens vs Steelers
This should be a low scoring affair. Mistakes and turnovers will be huge. The kicking game may make the difference. These teams know each other very well and are eerily similar in many ways. Competent, yet non-explosive offenses with bone shattering D's. Can you say smash mouth, head cracking football?
Pittsburgh enjoys the luxury of home field advantage. But which Ben Roethlisberger will show up today? The 'Big' Ben that plays within himself and grinds out the victory or 'Wild' Ben that forces passes and doesn't secure the ball? Didn't he just have another serious concussion a few weeks ago? (actually an injury worse than a simple concussion)
DB Troy Polamolu will play but his gimpy knee may limit his ususal hair flying, ballistic assault. The Steelers' D should be charged with aggravated felony assault after this game.
The Ravens offense comes down to 3 things. Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco...need I say more? If they fall behind early...Joe Flacco. If they can't run the ball and get forced into 3rd an long...Joe Flacco. If they need a game winning drive with time running out...Joe Flacco.
The Ravens' defense has the walking wounded in DB Samari Rolle (groin)and OLB Terrell Suggs (shoulder) but otherwise strap your hat on tight. They will leave everything that they have and bodies on the field.
Ouch...I wonder what type of shape the winner of this game will be in for the 'Big One' in 2 weeks?
A cortisone shot ain't gonna fix that!!
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