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Hello everyone.  Hope everyone's week is going just fine and you are looking forward to the weekend.  We have some great college basketball games on Saturday (and I'd like to personally give a shoutout to my favorite college basketball team: the Minnesota Golden Gophers for their win over Wisconsin Thursday night, the first win in Wisconsin in 14 years, 17 if you count the Clem Haskins fiasco).  Anyway, Chamionship Sunday is always a great day for NFL action, and this week is no different, though these are not the games that we as fans thought we would be seeing.  So without any more delay, let's get right into: "The Week to be in the NFL" Championship Playoffs edition:

Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals 3:00 ET FOX

OK, whoever said at the beginning of December that the Eagles and Cardinals would be in the NFC Championship game, please stand up and be recognized.... I'm waiting.  Nobody?  Well that is right.  Nobody saw this championship game.  But that is what we have.  Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb square off in another NFC title game (Warner won when he was with the Rams 29-24 over the Eagles in the 2000 NFC Championship game over McNabb).  Edgerrin James has suddenly found a resurgence in the lineup, and is running the ball most effectively.  And the Cardinals defense has been flying around the field and being hawks, snatching 9 turnovers so far in the postseason.  The Eagles Brian Westbrook has been grounded for most of the two games so far this postseason apart from the 71-yard TD screen pass against the Vikings.  The Eagles defense though is coming with major blitzes and confusing teams.  It is pivotal for the Eagles to win this game that they get pressure on Warner and force turnovers.  The Cardinals have a timing offense and if it is delayed they are in trouble.  However, if the pressure does not come to Warner and he has all day to throw, the Eagles are in trouble.  I have been 1-7 in my picks so far this postseason, and I see no reason to get on a winning streak.  My head is telling me to take the Eagles, but my heart says to go with the Cardinals who are playing with house money.  Remember their meeting on Thanksgiving night and how lopsided that was in the Eagles 48-20 win?  Something tells me that that will fuel the Cardinals and help them come out more focused and determined to seek revenge on the Eagles.   Someone is punching their ticket to Tampa.

Prediction: Eagles 23 Cardinals 30

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers 6:30 ET CBS

Is third time the charm?  The Ravens certaintly hope it is.  This is going to be a hard-nosed, rock 'em sock 'em, bruising game.  Just the way each team likes it.  The Ravens have played phenominal football this season and what Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh have done is remarkable.  Having said that, their defense looks like they are getting a little run down with this being their 18th straight week with a game.  And Ben Roethlisberger and the rest of the Steelers look well rested and played a great game against the Chargers last week.  Not saying it is going to be easy, but Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore can help control the line-of-scrimage, with that "D" that the Steelers have, I don't think there is any way the Steelers lose at home.

Prediction: Ravens 10 Steelers 23

Well that is all I have for this week.  Hopefully my picks are better, but above all: enjoy the great football action everyone.  I"ll be back Tuesday to break it all down and preview Super Bowl XLIII.  Until next time, c ya.