We first take a look at the battle of the NFC East where the Philadelphia Eagles who are coming off a playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings, take on the 12-4 and defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants.
After their win last week, the analysts and many fans have all come out in flocks and proclaimed the Eagles as the most dangerous team in the playoffs. And I simply ask why? What have the Eagles done this season and in the playoffs that have made them so ferocious? Their main weapon, Brian Westbrook is not 100% and after him their wide receivers fail to make me tremble. Westbrook has come out and said he is not practicing all week but he will start. Sure Donovan McNabb has played well over the last six weeks since he was benched but after the screen and check down to Westbrook he has nothing. Over the week already I have gotten many emails and text messages asking me how in the world the Giants are going to beat the Eagles, and I have said the same thing over and over. The running game for the New York Giants is second to none. Earth, Wind and Fire will torment the Eagles and their front line. In the first game against the Eagles the Giants running game ran for a modest 219 yards with a spiffy 4.9 yards per carry average. In the second game against the Eagles this season the Giants running game ran for a normal 88 yards. Besides the running game for the Giants the game plan will center around short passes to Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon. The gaping hole for the Giants will be that #1 wide-out they lack, Plaxico Burress. Then again as long as everything goes to plan Eli Manning will not have to throw the ball more than 25 times because the running game will pace and soften the Eagles. Therefore there is no reason to worry about the Eagles secondary that much. These teams know each other, maybe better than any two teams know each other in the NFL. Giants win in a run dominated game, 24-13.
The San Diego Chargers have their hands full with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend as Troy Polamalu and defensive player of the year James Harrison will torment Phillip Rivers all day. The Steelers will have two concerns in this game, 1. Stop Darren Sproles. When you see #49 in the game put eight in the box and stop that man. He is the big threat as LT is hurt and most likely will not play or see very limited action in this contest. Sproles has become one of if not the biggest play maker in the NFL. The #2 concern for the Steelers will be how Big Ben Roethlisberger will fair coming off his concussion. Roethlisberger the last time he suffered a concussion back in 2006 in his first game back he played terrible. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has said that Big Ben will play and will start. This being the case, look for Willie Parker to have a huge game. The Chargers front four are not run stoppers as the Chargers allow over 102 yards per game this year. The defense for the Steelers I believe is superior to the Chargers. Yes, the Chargers held Peyton Manning and the Colts to only 17 points but I feel like their secondary this year has lacked play making ability as Antonio Cromartie has not played up to his expectations. Troy Polamalu is a huge play maker and I see him being a big factor in the outcome of this game. As will James Harrison. This is the big stage and its my gut feeling that Harrison wants to show everyone why he was the DPOY. And so I give the win to the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-17.
The Ravens and the Titans will square off as the once undefeated Titans will look to get that running game off the ground and dominate like they once did. But the way the Titans went into the playoffs losing the last two out of three games makes me a bit worried. Albert Haynesworth returned to practice as did Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Ravens played great against the Miami Dolphins and dismantled them 27-9. Ed Reed had two interceptions, one which he took to the house. He has cemented himself as the best defensive play maker in the league. Ray Lewis and the rest of that Ravens defense will be hunting to get to Kerry Collins as well as stopping the run as they have done so well all year. The Titans will look to give the ball to Chris Johnson and Lendale White more than they will pass unless this game gets out of hand quickly. That being the case I feel the defense that has carried the Ravens all year will be top notch and will provide enough cushion for the Ravens to make plays on offense. Joe Flacco has played great and has found his guy Derrick Mason in plenty of key situations. Think about this when the Titans will need to make a play and the run game hasn't been working, Kerry Collins has only thrown for 12 touchdowns all year. My upset pick of the week is this, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans 24-10.
The Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers will be the blow out game of the weekend. The Panthers high powered offense will have the Cardinals defense spinning. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will have huge games. I see over 200 yards for them combined as well as three touchdowns. Then there is Steve Smith, the little wide receiver that catches everything, anytime the Panthers need a big play he somehow gets open and makes a 50 yard catch. The Cardinals are feeling good for making the playoffs and winning a game, but now have their hands full. Kurt Warner will have to try and pick apart a secondary that has been outstanding all year. There has only been one pass interference call all year on the Panthers secondary. Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston will have to carry the reigns as Anquan Boldin is hurt and wont be 100% for the game. He has said that he will take injections to numb the pain and then try and play. I cant see how the Cardinals have this game close. The Panthers have too many weapons. Carolina destroys the Cardinals of Arizona 38-17.
An exciting week of football is ahead, can the Ravens and their defense win again and prove to everyone that defense really does win games? Can the New York Giants continue to win and try to repeat as champions? Will the Chargers shock the world again? and will Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart continue to show everyone how great they really are and run their Panthers further into the playoffs? All these questions will be answer this Saturday and Sunday. Stay Tuned!
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