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

FLY EAGLES FLY!!! Eagles rout Cowboys 44-6 for final NFC playoff berth

PHILADELPHIA- The game had a ominous beginning for Dallas with a kickoff out of bounds and quickly became a Philly nightmare as the Cowboys were crushed under a mountain of turnovers by the Eagles 44-6 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The lopsided win comes as the resurgent Eagles(9-6-1) are peaking for a playoff run and the ushers out the NFL's drama queens Dallas Cowboys(9-7) for what is sure to be a testy off season in Big D. The Cowboys maligned head coach Wade Phillips was at a loss for an explanation after the game regarding his team's poor play with their season hinging on a victory to continue into the playoffs.

"There's not much I can say about this one. It was a disaster from the opening kickoff, from kicking the ball out of bounds, to two 80 or 90-yard plays to start off the second half when we had a chance to get it back to 21-17 or something like that. We had everything to play for. I think that the turnovers that haunted us all season ended up really hurting us in terms of not getting enough turnovers on defense and giving up too many offensively. We got by with it a lot of the year and won a lot of games, but we were minus 1 or 2 in the turnover ratio and that ended up getting us. It obviously wasn't penalties, it was turnovers." (PhiladephiaEagles.com)



Despite the rocky beginning to the game Dallas had opportunities early to get going in a more positive direction but were not able to capitalize on the early miscues by the Eagles, particularly on crucial third downs. After a quarter eating 8:15 drive that resulted in the Cowboys kicking a game tying field goal the Eagles stormed the field and began their first touchdown drive. On third and seven play, Donovan McNabb eludes the massive Dallas rush and finds running back Correll Buckhalter who scampered 59 yards to the Dallas six. Then on 3rd and goal the Cowboys were again unable to stop the Eagles as McNabb finished the drive plowing into the endzone for a quick score. The Cowboys were so inept on offense on the next drive that they looked like a school girl at the dance for the first time. Tony Romo made two very questionable throws in traffic to tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Terrell Owens on the failed drive. Both plays were poorly designed and executed.

Now a rapidly tiring Cowboys defense had to find a way to stop the Eagles before the game got out of hand. Enter linebacker Bradie James. On a one of the few highlights for the Cowboys he burst through the Philadephia line and sacked Donnovan McNabb forcing an Eagles punt. But his inspired play was not enough to energize the Dallas offense and they stumble again three and out. With 7:22 remaining in the half Philly began a drive from deep within it's own end of the field and appeared all but stopped again when the Dallas defense stumbled again on third down and seven. This time McNabb hit rookie wide receiver Deshawn Stevens on a long pass that went all the way to the Dallas four yard line. Two plays later on third down the Eagles score again to make it 17 - 3 with 2:03 remaining in the half. Things would only get worse for Dallas in the final two minutes.

Romo usually is at his best in the two minute offense so, the when the Dallas drive began to pick up steam one could easily guess the Cowboys would at least drive into position for another field goal if not a game changing touchdown. But with 1:01 remaining in the half the former "Boy wonder" missed on a toss to Roy Williams and was picked off by the Eagles defense. Then before the Eagles can run out the clock oft troubled cornerback Adam Jones is called for a personal foul penalty on another critical third down play which moved the Eagles into Cowboys territory at the 14 yard line. Not to be out done cornerback Terrance Newman is called for an equally boneheaded pass interference penalty in the endzone moving the ball to the Dallas one. McNabb would find his receiver Celeck on a beautifully arced pass in the back of the endzone for a 21 point lead for the Eagles. Then on the ensuing kickoff Adam Jones has the ball ripped from his arms and is recovered by Philly and with five seconds remaining they are able to line up for another field goal and a 27 - 3 lead at halftime.

At this point one had to consider if the Cowboys and Tony Romo had lost their will to win completely. But down 24 points in the final game of their season, facing another horrible December finish, his team having failed to win its season finale in the last seven years, surely Tony and Cowboys would try to write a different ending to this season. This America's team and they are used to being down and finding a way to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat. Tony Romo to his credit tried his best to take charge of his own destiny when he went against his coache's wishes and keeps a drive alive with a quarteback sneak on 4th and inches. Then then once fan of Brett Farve began to reach deep in his bag of playground magic sensing his team's season slipping away. After he escaped the rabid Philly rush he throws a backward pass to Witten who finds an open Terrell Owens for 42 yards and Dallas is in business at the Philly 12 yard line. But the snakebite quarterback fumbles on the next play and Philly returns the ball 73 yards for a touchdown.

On the next drive Dallas again appeared to shake off their horrific start and was again moving in for a respectable score, when inexplicably running back Marion Barber III was stripped of the ball trying to fight for extra yards by Philly star safety Brian Dawkins. Joselio Hanson was in the right place at the right time and he scooped up the fumbled ball and rumbled 96 yards for another demoralizing touchdown and the score ballooned to 41-3 and Dallas' season was virtually over in the blink of an eye. The Cowboys could only muster a feeble field goal over the final minutes of the stunning defeat and are now faced with numerous questions headed into the 2009 season and the opening of their new stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Eagles will be traveling to Minnesota next week for a wild card playoff game against the Vikings (10-6) who defeated the defending Superbowl champs and #1 seed in this year's playoffs New York Giants 20 -19 earlier on Sunday to win the NFC North Division title. Donovan McNabb and the rest of the Eagles are playing some inspired ball right now and are poised to make a lot of noise in the playoffs. Fly, Eagles, Fly!!!

Dallas thrwarts valiant Eagles with another historic Monday night at Texas Stadium

IRVING, Texas - Whew! What a game! What a game! The Dallas Cowboys prevailed in an early season epic and proved to be tough enough to defeat a feisty Philadelphia Eagles team 41-37 in the 28th and final Monday night game played at Texas Stadium.

This was a game for the ages, that was electrifying from start to finish.


In his post game news conference, Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips rightfully praised Philadelphia's star quarterback Donovan McNabb. "If anybody thinks Donovan McNabb is too old or can't play anymore then they're absolutely wrong" said Phillips.

Donovan McNabb, now fully recovered from the injuries which plagued him the last two seasons, proved that he is back and better than ever Monday night. When this guy is healthy his value to the Eagles team, is immeasurable. He took on several rushes from the Cowboys defenders and broke tackles like a running back. He remained poised in the pocket and completed precision passes the entire game finishing 25/37 for 281 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles started the scoring early, kicking a short field goal for 3-0 lead after a good drive stalled at the Dallas 16-yard line with an incompletion. Dallas then countered quickly on their first possession with a 72-yard bomb from Romo to a wide open Terrell Owens. Mr."Get ya popcorn ready" ran untouched past the Eagles secondary and Cris Carter in the record books, for second place all time in touchdown receptions with his 131st career touchdown. The catch was the longest of his career as a Cowboy and gave Dallas a quick 7-3 lead. The Dallas defense stiffened again on the next series, holding Philly to another a short field goal to push the game to 7-6.

Just as the first quarter was winding down, the capacity crowd at Texas Stadium was treated and delighted to a majestic kickoff return of 98 yards by rookie Felix Jones an 8 point lead for Dallas at 14- 6.

A weird sequence of miscues by Tony Romo would cost Dallas 14 points. First, after successfully avoiding a would be tackler, Tony Romo threw a very forgettable interception to Eagles cornerback Asanti Samuel. A phantom pass-interference penalty against Anthony Henry, moved the ball inside the Dallas 10 yard line and
the Eagles capitalized quickly. A short touchdown pass from McNabb to Brian Westbrook made it a 14-13 game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dallas was hit with an illegal blocking penalty on the return and was backed up inside it's own five yard line. After taking the snap from center, Romo fumbled the hand off to Barber. The football rolled around in the Cowboys' end zone for an eternity before the Eagles recovered for the touchdown to take a surprising lead, 20-14.

Later in second quarter, Tony Romo shook off his earlier mistakes by leading Dallas on a long touchdown scoring drive of 56 yards. The short touchdown pass to Terrell Owens (132) helped the Cowboys retake the lead briefly, 21-20. Donovan McNabb refused let his team fall too far behind the Cowboys. Midway through the second quarter, McNabb avoided a furious Dallas rush and hit rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson over the middle for a long 61-yard completion and a sure touchdown. Then unexpectedly before, Jackson could cross the goal line, he stupidly threw the ball away behind himself back into the field of play, in a pre-mature touchdown celebration. The play was ruled a touchdown on the field but Dallas smartly challenged. The Cowboys won the challenge because the ball never crossed the goal-line but since the Cowboys didn't pick up the ball, the referee awards the ball to the Eagles at the Dallas one yard line. Thankfully DeSeah, the Eagles score on the next play with short run by Brian Westbrook and they take reclaim the lead, 27-21. The Cowboys and Eagles would trade field goals to wrap up the quarter and end the second highest scoring first half in a Monday night game with a 30-24 score.

The second half stage was set for one of those epic NFC East battles, that hinged on which team blinked first after half-time. When the Dallas offense failed to sustain their opening drive of the half, the Dallas defense stepped up their game. The second half scheme shelved the Philly air and running attacks. The explosive Eagles had scored 24 points in the second quarter, was virtually silent in the third and fourth quarters only scoring seven points.

The Cowboys defense showed a lot moxie tonight. They took all of the Eagles' punches in the first half and then they delivered the final knockout in the second half with stiff hard -nosed championship style defense. They also forced a crucial fumble and turnover on downs to seal the victory. The superb Dallas defense took control of a game that had plenty of ebb and flow until to the end. The Cowboys' fumble recovery of Donovan's only miscue proved to be just what the doctor ordered. On a what looked like a botched reverse play, McNabb short-armed the hand off to Westbrook and Dallas recovered the ball. The late fumble cost the Eagles a sure three points which could have pushed their lead back to six points. Dallas had just cut their lead to only three points after long Nick Folk field goal. The turnover would lead to bruising one yard touchdown run by Marion "the Barbarian" Barber with 4:35 left to play. The pendulum had finally swung to the Cowboys favor, yet the game was far from over. Not until the Cowboys stopped a desperation hook and ladder attempt by the Eagles on 4th 17 with a 1:10 remaining did they have a chance to exhale. Tony Romo salted away clock by taking the victory formation two times. The Cowboys victory moves them to 2-0 on the young season.

Fans were treated to a truly spectacular game Monday night that many will remember for years to come. The win also allowed Dallas to remain even at 2-0 with the defending Superbowl champion New York Giants, in the NFC East division. If these two teams stay healthy, one can only imagine what the final game of the season between these two power houses will be like when they face off for the rematch in Philadelphia.


GO COWBOYS!!