Pigskin Prognostications, Championship Games

Cardinals 24, Eagles 21 - I've read most of the predictions, and most make this one an easy victory for Philly, most likely based on Philly's thrashing of Arizona a few weeks ago. However, much like the Colts three years ago when they won the Super Bowl, Arizona's defense is peaking at the right time, stopping the run and running it much more then they did during the regular season, playing more ball control. I've heard about the Westbrook factor, but if the Redbirds can bottle up Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams, then they should be able to contain Westbrook, too. What worries me--'cause I'm a Cardinals fan--is the humungous Philly O-line, the biggest in the league. Arizona's D-line is built more for mauling than it is for jetting around the edges, and I think McNabb will have ample time to throw. If Arizona can bump Philly's receivers at the line, get them off their routes, then I think Arizona's zone schemes can work, 'cause Philly's receivers are rather smallish, and they can be jammed.

On the other side of the ball, Warner's faced Jim Johnson's defense before this year, and I don't think he'll have the same problems, as surely--surely--Arizona will keep a back (or two) to protect Warner on his throws, and if Warner has time, he'll produce more than McNabb will, as Arizona's receivers are much better at running precise routes and catching the ball than Philly's.
I don't think Arizona will run the ball well, but I do think they'll run it consistently--or at least they should, otherwise the Eagles will kill Warner. I think Arizona, though, learned its lesson from its last loss to Philly, and I think the Redbirds will prevail.

Steelers 20, Ravens 16 - If both teams play at about the same level of intensity, discipline, and aptitude this week as they did last, then Pittsburgh will slaughter Baltimore, as Baltimore's offense played an ug-ly game against Tennessee--and the Steeler's are better defensively than Tennessee. Maybe offensively, too. I think, though, that Baltimore improves its offense, and I think they'll cause a couple of turnovers, with Ed Reed returning one for a score, but I really don't see them scoring an offensive touchdown against Pittsburgh (not unless Pitssburgh gives it to 'em in scoring territory), as the Chargers had one good drive against Pittsburgh's starters--and that was the very first one. Heck, San Diego only had the ball once during the third quarter...ONCE! San Diego's offense is much better than Baltimore's.

As far as the Pittsburgh offense--Fast Willie Parker's no longer as fast as he used to be, so he won't gash Baltimore's defense the way Chris Johnson did (before he got hurt), but he can move it well enough to keep Reed and Jim Leonhard close to the line for Roethlisberger to be able to thread the zone or get some single-coverage a few times so that Holmes and Washington--faster than the Ravens' CBs--can fly loose. A think a few big plays is all Pittsburgh will need.