Conference Championship Games

Peyton Manning

January 18th

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals


Gonna be two absolutely awesome games here folks. My original prediction from a few weeks ago still stands, Im going for a Superbowl featuring the Eagles and the Steelers (with the Steelers to take it ).

Its almost here

eagle eye

Archimedes wrote: »

January 18th

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals


Gonna be two absolutely awesome games here folks. My original prediction from a few weeks ago still stands, Im going for a Superbowl featuring the Eagles and the Steelers (with the Steelers to take it ).

Its almost here

There gonna be two completely different type of games as well.

A defensive fest in Pittsburgh and a high scoring game in Arizona.

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

They have met twice already this season and the Ravens have come out on the losing side by 4 points and 3 points. The two best defenses in the league pitted against each other again. The Ravens struggled to get any rythym going on offense the last two times they met and also against the Titans the weekend.
Pittsburgh have Big Ben and Willie Parker looking in great shape, they were hugely impressive against the Chargers albeit the Chargers defense looked horrendous.
I think the Steelers take this one on their way to winning the Superbowl, while I think the Steelers just have an edge on defense, its their offense and Special Teams where they have a bigger advantage. The Ravens need to get their offense to sparkle in this game or they are gone imo. I predict a 9 point win for the Steelers.
NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals

These Cardinals have shocked me so far, they mauled the Falcons and then overran the Panthers which to me was one of the biggest shocks of the season. Their offense is humming right now and they will be hard to stop at home. Kurt Warner is having a great postseason with incredible assistance from Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower along with an impressive Oline.
If the Eagles were to win the Superbowl it will be Andy Reid who gets most of the credit for benching McNabb a couple of weeks. Whatever he did there he has gotten the very best from McNabb since. And McNabb is the key for the Eagles in this game, Westbrook will get plenty of room to run the ball, but its all in McNabbs hands.

Bascially this game comes down to turnovers, and while the McNabb has shown in the past that he is well capable of throwing interceptions, he seems more calculated and careful since that famous benching incident. This game will be high scoring and very close but I think we see McNabb getting the Eagles though in a very tight game. It could go to overtime, it could end up being the Cards losing by one based on two field goals versus a TD. I am really looking forward to it.


Which game is first, I hope and presume its the AFC one. Always lke to see a defensive game before a potent attacking one. Its more fun that way.

FlutterinBantam

Ravens Eagles at the big dance.

Ravens to do it.

ReacherCreature

Still rooting for the Ravens.

Warner's still contuing his fairytale career by getting this far with the Cards. Would love to see him get to the big 'un (I'm a huge fan) but something is pushing at me that their bubble's gonna bust. Still really iffy over the Eagles/Cardinals so.

Frisbee

Ravens/Eagles for the Superbowl for me, with the Ravens to take it.

Peyton Manning

eagle eye wrote: »

There gonna be two completely different type of games as well.

A defensive fest in Pittsburgh and a high scoring game in Arizona.

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

They have met twice already this season and the Ravens have come out on the losing side by 4 points and 3 points. The two best defenses in the league pitted against each other again. The Ravens struggled to get any rythym going on offense the last two times they met and also against the Titans the weekend.
Pittsburgh have Big Ben and Willie Parker looking in great shape, they were hugely impressive against the Chargers albeit the Chargers defense looked horrendous.
I think the Steelers take this one on their way to winning the Superbowl, while I think the Steelers just have an edge on defense, its their offense and Special Teams where they have a bigger advantage. The Ravens need to get their offense to sparkle in this game or they are gone imo. I predict a 9 point win for the Steelers.
NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals

These Cardinals have shocked me so far, they mauled the Falcons and then overran the Panthers which to me was one of the biggest shocks of the season. Their offense is humming right now and they will be hard to stop at home. Kurt Warner is having a great postseason with incredible assistance from Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower along with an impressive Oline.
If the Eagles were to win the Superbowl it will be Andy Reid who gets most of the credit for benching McNabb a couple of weeks. Whatever he did there he has gotten the very best from McNabb since. And McNabb is the key for the Eagles in this game, Westbrook will get plenty of room to run the ball, but its all in McNabbs hands.

Bascially this game comes down to turnovers, and while the McNabb has shown in the past that he is well capable of throwing interceptions, he seems more calculated and careful since that famous benching incident. This game will be high scoring and very close but I think we see McNabb getting the Eagles though in a very tight game. It could go to overtime, it could end up being the Cards losing by one based on two field goals versus a TD. I am really looking forward to it.


Which game is first, I hope and presume its the AFC one. Always lke to see a defensive game before a potent attacking one. Its more fun that way.

Eagles @ Cardinals is first. Times are in the banner posted!

Hazys

Ravens V Eagles i think...

eagle eye

Archimedes wrote: »

Eagles @ Cardinals is first. Times are in the banner posted!

Ah well, just like to watch a good defensive game first, but actually it will be interesting the other way around also.

A lot of guys going for the Ravens which surprises me given their record against the Steeler this year.

Just so you guys know, I'm not an AFC nut or anything but I've been shouting for the Steelers since it became clear that the Pats were out. I picked them a good while ago as the team I thought most likely to win it.

If the Ravens beat them I want to see the Ravens win it. They are the two best teams left imo.

RichTea

Don't think too many could have predicted the outcome of the playoffs thusfar.

That said, I do think the Ravens have the chance to do something special against the Steelers. Surely the Eagles will beat Arizona!?


That said an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl should have some bite in it.

Pyjamarama

Well the AFC could go either way really. Ed Reed seems on a mission and the rest of the D is responding. Flacco is looking solid aswell and if they can get running game going they can win. But if the Steeler can establish the run they should be able to dictate the pace of the game and control the clock to win in a close one.

The NFC is just as tough to call. On the face of it one would think that the Eagles should win it but the Cards have a very potent offense and their D is playing way above expectations. The eagles D is on fire though and McNabb seems to be playing well. Westbrook looks pretty beat up though so that will be an issue. McNabb has one of the best interception to passes ratios in NFL history though so you would expect the Eagles to win the turnover battle.

davyjose

All Pennsylvania Superbowl IMO. What an occasion that would be. I think the Eagles will go all the way (picked them since the Colts went out). TBH, Ravens Cards would be a disappointing SB, given what's left.

Fox1978

Is anyone watching these games anywhere in Dublin like the Woolshed? I usually just watch the games at home and the SB out in somewhere like Captain Americas but perhaps these Conference Championships deserve the Woolshed treatment?

I wanna see Ravens lose. Hate those guys. Don't like Steelers much better but respect them as a great team. I can't believe Panthers sucked so bad and Cardinals won (especially after my Pats beat them 47-7 in the regular season). I think Eagles and Steelers but if Boldin is healthy, Cardinals could take it with homefield advantage.

TheHeadhunter

January 18th

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals




Steelers v Cardinals Superbowl.

Lirange

Pittsburgh 3 Baltimore 0 (double OT)

Philly 34 Cards 24

Royal Seahawk

Fox1978 wrote: »

Is anyone watching these games anywhere in Dublin like the Woolshed? I usually just watch the games at home and the SB out in somewhere like Captain Americas but perhaps these Conference Championships deserve the Woolshed treatment?

Maybe,but whats the story with the new licensing laws that came into place? Don't all pubs have to shut at 11 or 12 on sundays now,no exceptions?

SantryRed

Watching Total Access earlier and the amount of Ravens players banged up.

Eagles Steelers Superbowl for me now.

kev_s88

ravens-v-eagles superbowl

bigdaddyliamo

Yep, Eagles - Ravens for the big game.
I'm going for the Eagles to take it. I would love to see the 6th seed outsiders going all the way!:D

GetOffMyPatch

Have to agree with SantryRed - Ravens look banged up with injuries to key players such as Suggs and Rolle (Reed and Lewis will be ok). Part of the Ravens game plan will be to bring pressure on Big Ben (Oline is poor). If they can't bring that pressure effectivly, Big Ben will be able to move the ball and the Steelers will win easy. So long as they don't win by more than 6, I'll be happy though.

Eagles to beat Cards by a TD or more. Their Defense is a different class to what they have played in the playoffs till now. If they can shut down James, the Cards passing game will become more predictable and I wouldnt be surprised to see a pick from Asante Samuel.

Eagles, Steelers for me with Eagles to soar in Tampa

Pyjamarama

Not long to go... come on the Eagles!!!! I'm so freakin nervous about this game. I hate when we're favoured...

figs86

Steelers - Eagles Superbowl

Steelers to win late in the game after some big plays from big ben

GO BLACK AND GOLD!

Pherekydes

GetOffMyPatch wrote: »

...with Eagles to soar in Miami

So you don't think they'll make it to the Superbowl, then?

What's on in Miami, by the way?



Steelers and Cards for me, with Cards to win.

Well that was a quick start by the Cards. What's with the Eagles D?

Pyjamarama

This is lame... Cards looking good. Eagles D all over the shop. McNabb shocking so far...

Frisbee

Oh God, I can't believe the Cardinals might actually make the Superbowl...

eagle eye

I have noticed, well after watching out for it, but after NcNabbs 22 yard rush earlier, that there seems to be a lot of opportunities for him to run the ball so far. I wonder if they will tell him to take more chances with it and force a more honest look from that Cards defense. I know you always risk injury but McNabb is a tough nut in fairness.

chips1234

cards offense looking good nice play for the td just now

eagles D looks awful

Frisbee

eagle eye wrote: »

I have noticed, well after watching out for it, but after NcNabbs 22 yard rush earlier, that there seems to be a lot of opportunities for him to run the ball so far. I wonder if they will tell him to take more chances with it and force a more honest look from that Cards defense. I know you always risk injury but McNabb is a tough nut in fairness.

This is a good point.
McNabb is great at running the ball, he's had a few opportunities to do so and has opted against it.
Hope to see him doing it more after the half time break

eagle eye

Frisbee wrote: »

This is a good point.
McNabb is great at running the ball, he's had a few opportunities to do so and has opted against it.
Hope to see him doing it more after the half time break

Yeah even on that last drive it opened up for him twice, right in front of him.

Frisbee

eagle eye wrote: »

Yeah even on that last drive it opened up for him twice, right in front of him.

Things really aren't looking great for the Eagles here. Cardinals are dicking on them.
McNabb really needs to stand up and be counted for here

The Philly defence really needs to get their head in the game aswell...

eagle eye

I'm starting to wonder if they can cover Fitzgerald, he is having an awesome game yet again.

Pherekydes

Holy crap! Warner and Fitz are on fire.

Frisbee

Good thing that play wasn't challengable.
If it was I can't see how it wouldn't have been a Arizona ball and most likely game over.

eagle eye

Frisbee wrote: »

Good thing that play wasn't challengable.
If it was I can't see how it wouldn't have been a Arizona ball and most likely game over.

I don't agree, its was inconclusive really and they would have lost their challenge, it did look like it hit his forearm when he was out of bounds.

Frisbee

eagle eye wrote: »

I don't agree, its was inconclusive really and they would have lost their challenge, it did look like it hit his forearm when he was out of bounds.

We'll agree to disagree, I don't think it hit him.
Good challenge there from Philly, if Arizona had have got that 1st down and converted before half time this game would be over as a contest...

figs86

at the end of the 2nd quarter McNabb is leading the Eagles' rushing: 1 carry for 21 yards (Buckhalter has 21 yards too, over 4 carries)

Frisbee

At least McNabb seems to be getting into the game now, c'mon Phillies!

Syferus

Just a quick aside - Jerry Rice!?

Sky finally ponied up for a seriously big name, if only for one game.

davyjose

I still think Philly will win this.

davyjose

Touchdown!!!!

copacetic

woahh! great 5 mins by philly. hope they don't have to rely on kicker though...

ghostface ste

Get in there, def game back on. The kicker is costing them a few point tonight :mad:

Frisbee

ghostface ste wrote: »

The kicker is costing them a few point tonight :mad:

Tell me about it, he's killng my Fantasy team...

Also my earlier opportunistic bet on the Cardinals to win by 11 at 10-11 is looking crap now...
Don't mind that much as long as the Eagles win though

davyjose

Lol, the official stats have Warner with 1 reception. Passing to yourself, now that's just cheatin :pac:

cruiserweight

Eagles go ahead, what a catch by Jackson :eek:

ghostface ste

WOW :pac: great td

time to get nervous now

445279.ie

Great TD

Is it this night 2 weeks to the Superbowl?

ghostface ste

1st weekend in Feb i think

eagle eye

What a turnaround in this game. Real Cards defense show up in the second half and real Eagles(defense and offense) show up also.

davyjose

DCC160 wrote: »

Great TD

Is it this night 2 weeks to the Superbowl?

Yeah, Feb 1st

445279.ie

just went onto www.superbowl.com

Seemingly 14 days, 10 mins, 30 seconds

Pherekydes

davyjose wrote: »

Lol, the official stats have Warner with 1 reception. Passing to yourself, now that's just cheatin :pac:

No it's not as long as the ball is touched by another player first. The usual scenario is that the ball is tipped up at the line of scrimmage. The QB is quite within his rights to catch it.