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OK, I'll admit it, I'm getting a little nervous about my statement that the Arizona Cardinals had "no chance" to win the Super Bowl this season. When I started these predictions prior to Round 1, I eliminated the Dolphins, Vikings, Falcons, and Cardinals right off the bat, and whoops, the Cardinals are still here.

But I shouldn't spend all this time picking on myself, like last week, it's time to give credit where credit is due. Take a look at these Nostradamical quotes from my Round 2 predictions:

Ravens/Titans:

"This one's gonna be a dog fight -- I don't expect either team to run away with it...The Titans will also be a bit rusty, while the Ravens are coming off an encouraging stomping of the Dolphins...LenDale has run out of steam in recent weeks and could be a total non-factor...I'd rather have Kerry Collins over Joe Flacco in this game, but the separation is not nearly enough. It's Ravens 17, Titans 13."

Chargers/Steelers:

"I think it would take a small miracle for [the Chargers] to actually come away with a victory...I like the Steelers to hold on."

Cardinals/Panthers:

"This one may be a little trickier than it appears on the surface. Everyone's natural inclination seems to be: 'PANTHERS, come on, it's a no-contest.' I wouldn't say "no-contest," though...Arizona's defense did an astounding job against Michael Turner in round 1, so DeAngelo Williams may have his work cut out for him as well."

Eagles/Giants:

"If this were last year's New York Giants, I'd be picking them. No, not in hindsight because they won The Big One, but because they had Plaxico Burress, Osi Umenyiora, and Michael Strahan...Now, all three are out of the picture, and New York will have been off the playing field for a full two weeks. The Eagles will be locked in and have some extra pep in their step after the opening round victory, while the G-Men will have to feel their way around in the early stages of this exciting match-up...Quite frankly, I prefer Philly's defense to New York's. I think the Eagles have the third-best defense, behind the Ravens and Steelers. Asante Samuel is an outstanding cornerback, and Brian Dawkins is an ageless wonder of a safety. Coordinator Jim Johnson is a crafty, innovative, old pro....The scale is tipping slightly in favor of Philly."

Not too shabby.

All right, I'll stop living in the past and get to this week's match-ups:

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers; Pick: Steelers

I'll make this simple: the Pittsburgh Steelers are the best team in the NFL. Baltimore's defense is just as good, if not slightly better than Pittsburgh's, but it's an absolute no contest when comparing the two offenses...

Ben Roethlisberger is either the third or fourth best quarterback in the game -- behind Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and possibly Kurt Warner -- and he showed why against San Diego. Ben has the pocket presence to avoid the rush and extend the play by rolling to his right, and the arm strength and accuracy to cash in on those difficult opportunities.

Roethlisberger has the raw size and mentality to pick up first downs for his team in extreme short yardage situations, and the arm to make all the tough throws to the sidelines and deep down the field. He's the total package, and the repercussions of his concussion appear minimal, or perhaps non-existant. The Steelers' QB is one tough S.O.B.

The running games wash out because Willie Parker, individually, is better than any of Baltimore's backs, but collectively the Ravens can be just as productive.

At wide receiver, like quarterback, Pittsburgh blows Baltimore out of the water. Derrick Mason might be the best receiver on either team, but Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Nate Washington complement each other nicely, and represent a more dangerous all-around threat. Baltimore's No. 2, Mark Clayton, may be inferior to Washington, who is Pittsburgh's No. 3.

Basically, Big Ben and Pittsburgh's offense have a much better chance of scoring against Baltimore's vaunted defense, than rookie Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense have against the scary Steelers. The logic is simple, but surely understandable.

The Steelers advance to the Super Bowl by the score of 20-10.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals; Pick: Eagles

The Cardinals are making me eat my words, and for that they deserve a helluva lot of credit. Good $hit, Arizona.

However, I'm thinking the buck stops here, despite the home field advantage. I'm certainly more confident in my Steelers pick than this one, but I think Philly can contain Arizona's flashy offense. Kurt Warner hates to be pressured, and the Eagles are one of the premier blitz defenses in the league. Coordinator Jim Johnson will force Warner out of rhythm early, and that will open the door for Donovan McNabb and the rest of the Philly offense.

I don't expect Philadelphia to run away with this one, because the Cardinals' defense is playing with a load of pride and confidence. They've had the talent all along -- Adrian Wilson, Rod Hood, Bert Berry, Darnell Dockett, Antrelle Rolle, Karlos Dansby, etc. -- but they were guilty of coasting toward the end of the regular season.

In this case, it's a good thing to be found guilty. Arizona's defense is fresh as ever, and they're playing with the explosiveness of a top-flight unit. They'll give McNabb some trouble, and he's already a little out of sync.

But Philly will find a way, because that seems to be their M.O. It hasn't been pretty, and yet they continue to win and build confidence internally. They'll battle for this one on the road, and return to the Super Bowl for the first time since losing to Tom Brady and the Patriots.

In a tight one, it's Eagles 23, Cardinals 20.

Now it's your turn...