For personal reasons, I really want to pick the Cardinals and Ravens to win this weekend.
I have many friends who are Ravens fans including my younger brother who was a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band (and he may be a part of them again in the near future.) He was, even if it was somewhat obliquely, a “Raven.” He and I spend just about every Raven’s game texting back and forth. He’s too young to really remember the Raven’s success of the early 2000’s. He had just turned 9 when the Raven’s won the Super Bowl and all he really remembers about it is me (a lifelong Giants fan) fuming for most of the game and storming out when it was over. So for his sake, I like to see the Ravens win.
The reason I want Arizona to win is simple and should be obvious. I’m a Giants fan. The Philadelphia Eagles are my least favorite team in the league. I like watching them lose almost as much as I like watching the Giants win. After last week’s game, I really want to see Philly lose.
These are the picks my heart wants me to make. But football games aren’t played in my heart, they are played by tiny men on my TV screen.
Here is what my head says:
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: The Ravens are lucky and have gotten some breaks. The Raven’s first two opponents in the playoffs were the Dolphins and Titans, the two teams who had the fewest turnovers in the NFL in the regular season. The Ravens caused eight turnovers in those two games. Chris Johnson didn’t play in the second half of the Titans game, after gaining 76 yards in the first half. This year’s Ravens D is being compared to the team in 2000, but through the first two games of the playoffs this team has given up more points and gotten fewer sacks. They are surviving on turnovers and luck. They’ve shown that they can be run on. The Steelers’ defense is better than Baltimore’s. Pittsburgh has the top ranked defense in the league and because they are more consistent. They don’t rely on big plays, turnovers, and luck. They are just flat out stifling. I think this game will come down to which offense will play better. I know Joe Flacco has done well, but his run ends on Sunday. I’ll take Big Ben and the experienced Steelers in a close, hard-hitting game.
Philadelphia at Arizona: This game will come down to Brian Westbrook. He may not play this weekend. If he does not play Andy Reid might not call a running play. Arizona’s defense will be able to focus on getting to Donovan McNabb and stopping the Eagles’ passing game. Arizona’s offense is great but I think the Eagles fast secondary and linebackers can slow them down. Their pass rush should be able to disrupt Warner. The one thing we know about the Eagles defense though, is that they can be run on. Arizona should be able to run well, pass often, and put up some points. I think the key is Westbrook. If he does not play then the Cardinals defense will do just enough to stop Philly and Arizona wins. If Westbrook plays, and I think he will, that will cause Arizona to have to account for him on every play. He may not be effective for most of the game, but he, more than anyone else in the league, can change a game on one or two plays. We need look no further than two weeks ago when for three and a half quarters he had about 40 total yards and in the fourth takes a screen pass 71 yards for a touchdown. That will be the difference this week. I think Westbrook plays, and the Eagles win a close, gun-slinging, high-scoring affair.
