Should be an AMAZING weekend of football. All four games are rematches from the regular season and if you look back at the first matchups they were all very close exciting games.
Ravens at Titans
Ravens pretty much controled this matchup the first go around until they let the game slip away at the end. The key to this game will be if Albert Haynesworth can play at a high level.
Chargers at Steelers
There's a bit of a misconception when it comes to the first matchup between these two. Most people think the Chargers stepped up thier defense in that game, but Ben threw for over 300 and Willie rushed for over 100. Marcus McNeil must keep James HArrison off of Rivers if the Chargers want any shot at a second straight AFC Championship Game.
Eagles at Giants
If the first two games between these two tell us anything, it's that the play of Brian Westbrook will likely be the deciding factor. The Giants know that and I believe they will spend most of the game sneaking safeties and corners up close to the line. Meaning the play of Curtis, Brown, Avant, and Jackson will have to be top notch for the Eagles to get past the Giants. Philly needs to pressure Eli.
Cardinals at Panthers
My favorite game this weekend simply beacuse both teams are in my Top 5. Always fun to watch a game when you can cheer for each side. Key matchup will have to be Otah, Gross, and Carolina's O-line being able to contain Dockett, Watson, Berry, and Dansby.
PICKS
Ravens-Titans: Ravens win. Whether Kevin Mawae is out or playing hurt, the Titans will suffer on offense. Nashville is an incredibly tough place to go and steal a win, but what's more tough is beating this Raven team twice in one season. Derrick Mason will exploit Courtland Finnegan.
Chargers-Steelers: Steelers win. It is imperative that MArcus McNeil has one the best games he's ever had and with the Steeler crowd noise, I don't see it happening. Rivers limps back to San Diego to start the offseason. This one will be a blowout.
Eagles-Giants: Eagles win. The team Weezy is picking to go to the Super Bowl is going to find a way to win this one. Giants have all the advantages in this one, homefield, rest for their injured players, and a team that already has a Super Bowl...for these reasons, I think they'll lose. Donovan gets pumped when guys hate on him and that NYG crowd will only make him better. The rest(rust) will prove to be a disadvantage for the G-Men. Finally, the fact that they won the Super Bowl last year, I believe, makes them less hungry...the Eagles however, have never been more hungry than they are right now.
Cardinals-Panthers: Panthers win. I Want to find every reason why Arizona can win this game, but that 0-4 when Cards go to the East Coast thing will not stop calling to me. JStew and DWill will do what Turner couldn't...elude defenders! In a close one, the Panthers will do just enough at home to escape a major let down.
Forecasting
If this all shakes out the way I think, I will be anxiously awaiting the Panthers-Eagles NFC Championship Game. It would be a rematch of the 2004 NFC Championship Game. A game in which Donovan McNabb completely ruined any chances his team had with one of the worst games of his career. If he gets his rematch look for him to torch the Panthers...I hope he doesn't, but that's what I'd bet on if I were a bettin man.
On the other side of things, you've got the Ravens and Steelers and I don't know if theres a better Rivalry in the NFL right now than that one. This time, hopefully, Gary Russell and Santonio Holmes won't get so lucky.
Melissa Haro
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Sometimes in the regular season a team can sneak up and pull an upset over the home team. Not as likely in playoffs. I agree with you, all four games look to be great games based on previous meetings. But, even though I will be disappointed if I am right, I think the home teams each will win easily this time around. The game that might go down to the wire is the Ravens/Titans game because both team are so defensive that it could keep the score in the teens, if that much.
Little Moose
Bastrop , TX
Total Comments (10)
I'll be honest, I pretty much picked my winners based on what matchups I want to see in the Conference Championships.
DCforkIN'em
Total Comments (479)
I know the Ravens have a great defense but the Titans have a good defense too. The Ravens seem to think this game is already won and all I keep hearing about is how the Ravens beat the Titans in Nashville on their way to the Super Bowl. The last playoff game between these teams was 2003 when the Titans went to Baltimore and won! When the Titans win on Saturday I'm sure you'll remember that feeling b/c its going to happen again. Titans=24 Ravens=17
zazzi82
Franklin , TN
Total Comments (19)
when did I become a raven fan that will end up having hurt feelings if they lose? news to me...Anyway, I woulda picked the Titans, but Kevin Mawae is probably not going to play and if he does he won't be healthy enough to hold of Haloti Ngata...thats the difference for me. That and I think teams have found out that the Titans secondary can be passed on.
DCforkIN'em
Total Comments (479)
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