Well the day is done and we are down to two teams in the National Football League. A day that I thought would be very boring turned out to be rather exciting. I will break all down for you guys starting now...
Arizona 32 Philadelphia 25- For the first time in history, the Arizona Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl. The 2008-2009 sports season has already been filled with unpredictability and now add the Cardinals to the list.
This was a great game for the fans of teams not named the Eagles or the Cardinals, it had its ups and downs and alot of hair-pulling moments. The Cardinals had led 24-6 at halftime and I thought I would have a couple hours to watch 24, not so fast my friend. Donovan McNabb willed his team back from the grave finding his tight end Brent Celek for two big touchdowns. Then McNabb found DeSean Jackson deep for the go-ahead touchdown. The Cardinals showed poise as they brought the ball down the field including a clutch fourth and inches. Then they scored on a Tim Hightower screen pass from Kurt Warner on third goal. On the final drive, the Cardinals beared down as they stopped McNabb on a fourth down and many Philly fans will complain about non-pass interference call on Rodrick Hood on the final play. I think because Kevin Curtis had a chance to make the play afterwards, there was no need to make the call.
Kurt Warner who in my opinion is a Hall of Famer once again had a huge game throwing four touchdowns, no interceptions and only missing seven passes. Larry Fitzgerald is playing like the best wide receiver in football right now. I would compare his playoff performance with B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays. Fitz had an alright regular season but had a huge playoff season. I mean everyone was talking about the performance Anquan Boldin all year but now its all about Fitzgerald. The Eagles are now 1-4 in NFC Championship games under Andy Reid so basically they are the Bills of championship games. Brian Westbrook proved to be a non-factor again and McNabb performance especially in the second half was amazing. He threw for 375 yards with three touchdowns, and one interception. McNabb did everything he could but it wasnt enough as the corners for Philadelphia couldnt stop Fitzgerald or Boldin which brings up another point why wouldnt the blitz specialist Jim Johnson keep doing it when Warner was burning them consistently on the man-to-man coverage.
Pittsburgh 23 Baltimore 14- Many are saying this was one of the hardest hitting games ever witnessed and I would agree. This would be the perfect song on how to describe this game. So many guys got jacked up and the emotions were so high. Despite my bashing of the Steelers week in week out for their continuous coverage, they were the most consistent team in football.
The Steelers put up the first six points on the board with two field goals from this guy... yes this guy, I wonder whats his pickup line with girls? Then on a third and nine, Ben Roethlisberger scrambled out of the pocket which was the biggest thing he did all game; found Santonio Holmes for a long touchdown with some great down field blocking. The Ravens struck back with a goal line touchdown from Wills McGahee set up by Wisconsin own Jim Leonhard long punt return. The Steelers got another field goal by spiked one and then McGahee punched another teeder to make it 16-14. Then Troy Polamalu took back an interception to put the icing on the AFC Championship cake.
The hardest thing about the Steelers defense is the fact that no one can run the football on them. The Ravens had ran the ball more than anyone else in the NFL and they couldnt do shit against Steelers forcing Joe Flacco to pass the ball more than he had all throughout the playoffs. Speaking of Flacco, he looked like a rookie today. Flacco went 13/30, only 140 yards and three interceptions. I have enjoyed watching Ed Reed throughout the playoffs and he is a great player, probably the most dangerous playing after an interception BUT... Troy Polamalu is the best safety in the leauge. He makes so many plays to stop the run, creating deflections, or taking on back to the house as stated before.
The Ravens defense didnt look as strong as they did the last two games because of so many injuries. Terrell Suggs was not the same player he was with his banged-up shoulder and they lost Samari Rolle from the last game against Tennesse. Then all the other cornerbacks seemed to get hurt in the game today. The Ravens offense will be strong in the upcoming years but the question will be how much of their defense comes back? Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs are all free agents next year which I think both Reed and Lewis are back but Suggs will move on.
I will give a Pittsburgh-Arizona next week because we still have two weeks before the game even is played..
-Charlie.
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