NFL Divisional Wrapup and Championship Round Outlook

The divisional round featured a ton of upsets, teams with birds as mascots winning, and the one lone gun, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers were the only home team and the only team that had the bye to win this weekend. The Giants, Titans and Panthers all fell to 6,6 and 4 seeds respectively.

Saturday was all about the upsets, as the day started with the AFC's #1 team fell. The Tennessee Titans couldn't withstand a bundle of costly turnovers and a missed Delay of Game Penalty to beat the Ravens, as Baltimore, with the help of a Matt Stover field goal with 0:53 on the clock, defeated the Titans 13-10 to advance to the AFC Championship.

Saturday night brought the unquestioned biggest upset of the playoffs, as the Arizona Cardinals went into Carolina and demolished the Panthers 33-13. The Cards attack was led by Larry Fitzgerald, who raked up a ridiculous 166 yards, as well as a touch. His playmaking is insane, I can't believe he went to Pitt. After the first drive, the Panthers could never really answer offensively, as Jake Delhomme threw 5 interceptions.


Sunday brought a new day, and a titanic clash of rival NFC East teams, The Giants and Eagles split their season series, with the Eagles winning most recently. Yet again, it was the Eagles who got the job done. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch this game because I was at the Steelers game, but from the replays it seemed like the Giants got nothing done offensively and Eli Manning looked like the Eli of old. The Eagles made some big stands on 4th down to hold their lead and move on as they became the second sixth seed to move on.

The Steelers went into the game facing the fact that they would have to be the only home team to win the whole weekend. Initially, things went poorly for Pittsburgh, as Philip Rivers hooked up with Vincent Jackson for a big touchdown in the games opening minutes. But, the Steelers weathered the storm, with a big punt return touchdown by Santonio Holmes to even things up. The Steelers would construct a great drive at the end of the half to go up 14-10. In the third quarter, the Chargers had the ball for one offensive play, an interception. The Steelers would extend their lead to 18 and then exchange scores to go back up by 18. The CHargers would score in garbage time but it wouldn't matter, as the Steelers won, meaning they get the AFC Championship at home next week.
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So, last week I was 1-3 with my picks. Ouch. I'm 3-5 overall right now for the whole playoffs. Yet, I am going to continue picking, for no reason at all.

The thought of picking a Pennsylvania championship is tempting... really tempting. So tempting, I'm going to do it.


NFC Championship

6. Eagles over 4. Cardinals
- I actually am VERY tempted to pick the Cards in this. They have been as hot as anyone and are playing very well. But, I feel like the Eagles are just a better team. They have already crushed Arizona this year. I don't expect a bowout again, not in the desert, with the toaster going crazy. But Mcnabb (ugh...) will make enough plays to move the Eagles past.
- Eagles-27, Cardinals-23

2. Steelers over 6. Ravens
- Again, I don't like doing this. There are so many intangibles in this game. There are so many reasons why this game could go either way. Picking this game like like like putting 2 baseballs in a bag, one with an "X" written on it and the other without, and you reach into that bag without looking and grab one, hoping that you get the X. I'm hoping that the Steelers are the X, and are picked. The spread is Steelers by 5.5. That is WAY too generous. The Steelers beat the Ravens by 3 points and 4 points this season. I see this thing being a classic. RIght down to the end. But, I can't pick against my Steelers. I won't be shocked if they lose or if they win. But, with the home crowd roaring, and if the team can keep up the solid play, they should win this game.
- Steelers-16, Ravens-13

So that's it. There it is. I picked the PA Superbowl, although I'm not sure it'll happen. I would love to see the Cardinals reach the Superbowl, but as long as the Steelers make it I don't care who we play. Here's to hopefully a great weekend of football!