The AFC and NFC Championship games are set and I couldn't be more excited. As I've stated before, I'm a huge Ravens fan, so this weekend match up against Pittsburgh, our division rivals, is so exciting. I don't know much longer I can wait for Sunday to get here. But this is bigger than my personal bias.

The three bird teams playing next Sunday weren't even in the playoffs in 2007. Pittsburgh, being the only repeating playoff team left, lost in the Wild Card round last year, so they didn't even break a sweat before their playoff hopes were gone.

But this is a great thing. Maybe not or the NFL, or their sponsors. But absolutely for their fans. Why? Because if your teams stinks up the joint one year, they always have a chance at redemption the next year. Just ask the Miami Dolphins.

That being said... while 3 of these teams didn't get an invitation to last year's dance, they all made great strides to being where they are now. Let's discuss, shall we?

Arizona Cardinals- Wow, they really shut me the hell up! I thought this team was terrible coming into the playoffs. They got blown out twice within a 3 week period. How was I supposed to see this coming? While their offense has always been potent (they ended the season #4 in total offense), their defense was sub par at best, finishing #19 in total defense. With the Cards playing against the Atlanta Falcons during Wild Card weekend, I was sure Michael Turner was going to have a field day on their defense. He didn't. The Falcons never got a rhythm going, and they beat the Falcons 30-24.


For some reason, after that win I still wasn't impressed. Next week came, and the Cards were going east to play the Panthers. Arizona has played horribly against teams that are located on the East Coast. So this is a no brainer, right? WRONG!! Jake Delhomme had a horrendous day (on his 34th birthday, of all times to play poor), as the defense created 6 turnovers and beat Carolina convincingly. This pic of Panthers coach John Fox says it all:

Sidenote: Did anyone hear Deion Sanders sing Happy Birthday to Delhomme during the highlight reel? Hilarious!

The Cardinals have me and other non believers looking like fools. This is the second coming of the 2006 Colts, where the defense was below average all season. But when the time came to turn it up a notch, they answered the challenge.The only thing that bothers me is, their team's fans don't really show up when needed. Their wild card playoff game was nearly blacked out, because they didn't sellout soon enough. A playoff game??? I mean, I know we're in a recession, but you may never see the playoffs again! Gotta savor that moment. Ask the Cleveland Browns, they'll give anything to be in your shoes



Philadelphia Eagles- Okay, after McNabb was benched in the Baltimore game, I was convinced the Iggles were done. Their starting QB was benched after only trailing 3 points by halftime. Someone must really think he sucks. Until Kevin Kolb came in and reminded Andy Reid and every McNabb hater that Kolb needs to sit his *hee haw* down and exit the football field like Randy Watson from Coming To America

Now look what's happened since the benching? 5-1 in the regular season since and 2 playoff victories on the road, on their way to their 5th NFC Championship in 8 years. LL Cool J once said, "Don't Call It A Comeback!". McNabb's been here for years, doing what he does best. Finding ways to get to the final four, like he once did four years straight at a point.

"Hello.... Uh hello, Mr. Lurie...what is that you say... You can't win without me?? That's what I thought"


Good for you McNabb, and the rest of the Iggles team. Nothing better than proving folks how WRONG they are about you.

Baltimore Ravens- A team that was 5-11 the year before, and has the most players on injured reserve in 2008. Never in a million years did I think this team would make such a turn around in such a short time to make it to the AFC Championship. As a Purple and Black lover, I still find this so hard to believe that this team have made it this far. Everything pointed to the Ravens not being so successful. Rookie head coach in John Harbaugh, (which is, by-the-way, very easy on the eyes. What a cutie pie) and a rookie QB in Joe Flacco (who, by-the-way, has a mean unibrow. Someone please get me a Nads kit!)

Clearly a team that is rebuilding, right?! Wrong! Parity and hard work has this team at 11-5, with 2 straight playoff victories on the road and one game away from the Super Bowl. One thing that hasn't changed is the defense. Rex Ryan is still the mastermind behind the brilliance of this #2 defense (behind their AFCN rivals, Pittsburgh). Ray Lewis, along with Ed Reed, are still the generals on the field

Not to mention, the Ravens were robbed of a bye week because of Hurricane Ike during Week 2 of the season. This team has played for 17 weeks straight and counting, with no rest. Almost every player on the active roster has a nagging injury, but they still found a way to make it to through.

No one, including myself, expected them to win more than 7 or 8 games (and this is a modest number. NFL "experts" picked up to win 4-5 games easily).One word, WOW!

Pittsburgh Steelers- The most non surprising playoff team in the group. Right now, you can call the Steelers the best team remaining. They had everything go their way against San Diego on Sunday. But this is nothing new for them. The Steelers could've easily lost 2-3 more game. Their offensive line has been patchwork due to injuries, their RBs aren't that effective, and Big Ben sometimes holds the ball for 30 seconds while taking unnecessary sacks.

But for whatever reason, they find ways to win games. It doesn't hurt that they have the #1 defense in the league. Their defense is absolutely stout, lead by the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison

Oh, and Troy Polamalu, not so bad himself.

As a Ravens fan, it's my duty to loathe the Steelers. And in some ways, I do. But I have more respect for them than any other team in the league, hands down. Why? Because they know how to win games when they have to, point blank.

I'm sure Al Davis copyrighted the phrase, "Just Win Baby", but is there a way the Steelers can borrow that for a while. No cliche fits a team better than the Steelers. Right now, they are hitting on all cylinders, and for most people this is no surprise.

Okay, so with that said, here's my predictions with the following games:

Philly at Arizona- Each week, I keep picking against Arizona. And each week, they show up and win. A part of me wants to stop the madness and go with them since I've been wrong this whole time. But my instincts tell me that McNabb and Co will find a way to win this game.

I already know what folks are going to say. Well, the Iggles have only one win in 4 NFC Championship games with McNabb as the QB. This is true. As of right now, history doesn't look good for them. But other than the Steelers, Philly is playing their best football of the year. I know this is gonna come back to bite me, but I think Philly will be ready for Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston.

While I'm not taking anything from their regular season showdown (in my opinion, the slate is clean when the playoffs begin), I think Philly wins this one.

Eagles 27 Cardinals 23

Baltimore at Pittsburgh- In my opinion, one of the best rivalries in football right now. I'm not gonna tell you how, both teams hate each other, cities hate each other, and all the other crap the media feeds us. It's been noted. The fact of the matter is, these 2 teams are twins separated at birth. Both teams have great defenses. Both are known to run the ball, and both have young coaches (Harbaugh in his first year, Tomlin in his second).

As I said before, everything is against the Ravens favor and for the Steelers. Growing injuries, rookie QB, rookie head coach and a #6 seed. The Steelers are playing lights out football right now. Not to mention, they swept the Ravens during the regular season (by a total of 7 points. Nonetheless, a sweep is a sweep). But I find this game very intriguing. Mainly because, the Ravens are following almost the exact same path that the Steelers did when they won their Super Bowl in 2005. It's eerie and kinda scary. But true

This game is really a coin toss. Both teams know each other very well. But ultimately it comes down to, who makes the plays at the end. While I am one to believe that 3rd times a charm, I think my boys may have run out of gas, and this is the end of the road.

Steelers 20, Ravens 14

A message to the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and other teams..... Next year, this could be you I'm blogging about!

God Bless Parity In the NFL!