Playoff Picks, Conference Title Games
I haven’t been able to read anything about these games. Heck, I still haven’t even been able to read a recap of last Sunday’s Giants/Eagles game. It’s been tough. I know, I know, you feel super sorry for me. My defending Super Bowl champions, playing in the largest market in the world, weren’t able to defend their glorious championship. Poor Joey. Poor New York.

It’s debatable, or should I say it WAS debatable, whether I’ll be able to watch these games today. It’s going to be tough. I’m not going to lie. But when the clock hits 3, I can do it. I can watch this stuff. Come on. The winners of these games are going to the damn Super Bowl. So what if the Giants are out. So friggin’ what. I’m going to the most historic Inauguration in history on Tuesday, and I’m going to bitch about how the Giants aren’t going to make the Super Bowl? (I will bitch right now about one thing, though. Has it ever in the history of the NFL ended up that ONE team had beaten ALL FOUR of the conference title game participants? Because the Giants beat them ALL this year. And they’re sitting at home. Ughhh.) Okay. Here we go.

Last Week's Record (2-2)
Last Week's Record against the spread (2-2)

2009 Playoff Record (5-3)
2009 Playoff Record against the spread (5-3)

Eagles at Cardinals (Eagles Favoured by 4)
I told you there was something scary about the Cardinals. I didn’t have the guts to pick them, that’s true. But I told you, there was something weirdly obvious about that game that made it not-so-obvious. Jake Delhomme played an awesome game, too. Other clutch performances include George W. Bush’s handling of Hurricane Katrina.

So. There’s a new dilemma that’s developed. All along, I’ve been scared the Eagles are last year’s Giants. Now that they’ve beaten the Giants, that obviously still has some merit. But but but but but. What if the CARDINALS are last year’s Giants? I mean, I never would have guessed it going into the playoffs, but didn’t they sort of reclaim their running game in the last game of the season? Didn’t they gain some extra confidence? Plus, they have home-field advantage, they don’t have to come East or anything, right?

The other side of the story is that the Eagles started turning THEIR season around on Thanksgiving, when they wrecked Arizona by four touchdowns. And besides that one grass-fed egg they laid in Washington, they’ve been winning. Now don’t mistake their winning for having played complete games. The Eagles have NOT been playing complete games. They’ve been spotty on offense, and a little bend-but-don’t breakish on defense.

I’m getting sick of misunderestimating the Cardinals – okay it only happened once – and then finding out that they’re really not that bad. I think they have a real shot in this game. But I don’t know, are the Cardinals really going to beat the Eagles and get into the Super Bowl? I kind of want to pick the Cardinals, because nobody believes in them and they really seem to think they’re going to do it, but this is Philadelphia’s year. The city, I mean. It just is. I’m getting ready for the Sixers to win like 25 games in a row, upset the Celtics in the playoffs and frickin’ win the NBA title. That’s how it’s gotten.

If you want a reason for why I think the Eagles are going to do it, let’s just say I think the Cardinals’ ability to mix in the run is going to stop today. I don’t think they’re going to successfully run the ball on Philly today, and that’s going to be a real key. The game will be played in the 20s rather than the 30s, which favours Philadelphia. Oh yeah, I also think Donovan McNabb is going to play a flawless game, one of those 135 rating, 3 touchdown, no interception beauties that Eagles fans forget about the next week. Well, they’re going to have two weeks to remember this one, and then they’re going to get one last chance – two Sundays from now – to get that Reid/McNabb administration ring. Eagles 24, Cardinals 20.

Ravens at Steelers (Steelers Favoured By 6)
The Ravens have no business being here, other than the fact that they’re the Ravens and they do things in a very ugly way. Pittsburgh has somehow regained momentum, and is playing like the most complete team in the playoffs. The fact that they beat the hottest team in the playoffs last week says a lot. Of course, I’m always scared with Big Ben. He’s super talented, keeps plays alive, is an awesome leader, but he DOES do weird things with the ball sometimes, like throwing it to the other team. This is the game, though, where Joe Flacco will probably start looking like a rookie. The Ravens aren’t going to be able to run the ball on Pittsburgh, in my opinion, and that puts it all on Joe. He’ll show me a lot if he hangs in, but it’s too early in his career to bet on it happening. Get ready for an all-Pa. Super Bowl. Pittsburgh 31, Baltimore 16.