NFL Playoffs: Final four teams square off for coveted Superbowl berth

The NFL championship round is set this weekend and this year's finalists come in playoff tested and ready to give it all for the right to play for Lombardi trophy in Tampa Feb 1. Here is my take on the two games.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Philadelphia vs. Arizona (+4)



The NFC title game features a Thanksgiving Day rematch between the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles had just come off an embarrassing tie with the Bengals and a 38-6 shellacking at the hands of the Ravens that saw their star quarterback Donovan McNabb benched. At 6-5-1, the Eagles were left for dead by many but somehow found a way to pick up the pieces and devoured the NFC West champs 48 -13 before a national holiday audience. They have been flying high ever since going 5 -1 including the playoffs only stumbling in the Ravens game.

The Arizona Cardinals have been a different team since that late November game. They have been a team searching for it's identity going 2-3 to end the season with dismal defeats at home and on the road. Surprisingly resilient, these Cards have found ways to win in the playoffs downing the Falcons and Panthers in consecutive weeks. Led by the ageless wonder Capt. Kurt Warner (37), they look poised to do what no other Cardinals team has done since 1947 and that's win the NFL championship (better known today as the NFC championship) to become league champs. Since the NFL and AFL merger the Cardinals have not had any significant playoff success before the two leagues combined they had won NFL titles in 1925 and 1947. They had only one playoff game under the current format before year's remarkable run to host the NFC championship game.

The game looks like it will be entertaining and has a potential to be high scoring on both sides as the blitzing Eagles D could be exploited by the crafty Warner. I know there are going to be a lot folks out there that will think I am crazy but I am taking the Cardinals to pull off the upset at home. Clancy Pendergrast's underrated 4-3 defense masterfully contained the high flying attacks of the Falcons and Panthers. They will be at full strength and will find ways to make the plays to stop the Eagles on third down to win the game handily.

Prediction: Arizona 23 - Philly 17



AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Baltimore (+6) vs. Pittsburgh



Defense will be the story of the day in the AFC title game. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin comes into the championship game holding all the cards. With the league's top ranked defense, home-field advantage and a 2-0 record against the Ravens this season the Steelers are set to continue their dominance over Ray Lewis and the fearsome Baltimore Ravens. The third installment of the Steelers vs. Ravens promises to be a hard nosed defensive affair but the Steelers should find it extremely daunting securing the trifecta over their division rival.

In their second game in mid-December, the Steelers got the tough road win in Baltimore 13-9. Some say it was an early Christmas gift from the officials because of a controversial touchdown call late in the 4th quarter with time running down. With just over three and half minutes remaining in the game the Steelers began their final drive from their 8-yard line. They moved methodically down the length of the field to the Ravens 14. After two incompletions the Steelers came up with play that is still being disputed on both coasts. On third-and-four, Roethlisberger scrambled, and hit Holmes just across the goal line for the touchdown, putting the Steelers up 13-9 and securing the win. With only 43 seconds remaining, the play was reviewed because while Holmes caught the ball with his feet in the end zone the nose of the football never crossed the goal line. Later referee Walt Coleman said, "He had two feet down. When he gained control of the ball, the ball was breaking the plane."

The improbable win secured the AFC North title and home-field advantage in the playoffs for the Steelers. They have been clicking on all cylinders since making just enough plays when it counts to win games late and keep their season alive. Baltimore's standout rookie quarterback Joe Flaco looks to become only the second rookie to win the AFC Championship in his first year. Ben Roethlisberger did it first. Pittsburgh has the more complete team and should win a close game late.

Prediction: Steelers 20 - Ravens 10