Around the NFL: Conference Championships Post-Season Recap
Who would’ve thought at the beginning of the 2008 NFL season we’d all be seeing the Cardinals in the Super Bowl? While the Pittsburgh Steelers were viable candidates from the get-go, the Cardinals have been the league’s disappointment for quite sometime, garnering pre-season hype year after year based on their on-paper roster, but in the end failing to deliver even moderate success. But low and behold, the Cardinals are now in the Super Bowl and they have a legitimate chance of winning it. While the Steelers are favored (and they should be, as defense often trumps offense in championship games), this by no means has the look of a blowout. It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the Super Bowl.
Arizona beats Philadelphia 32-25
Eagles fans are all over Donovan McNabb as usual, but in truth that’s unfair. This game had the look of a blowout after the Cardinals went up 24-6 at the half. McNabb used his savvy veteran experience to bring the Eagles back from the depths outscoring the Cardinals 13-0 in the third quarter and then gaining a 25-24 lead in the fourth. If not for a championship-caliber drive late in the fourth quarter, ending in a brilliant-looking 8-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Timothy Hightower, we’d be looking at an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl. McNabb was picked off once by Aaron Francisco, but otherwise had a very solid game, even though he got little help from his wide receivers, and he was pressured most of the day. He threw three scores and 375 yards to nine different targets. While there were some opportunities lost (Kevin Curtis was open deep on more than one occasion) the Eagles loss was definitely not because of McNabb. The problem was that the Cardinals defense held the Eagles running backs to just 66 yards after they scored quickly and forced the Eagles to pass. Arizona DT Darnell Dockett continued his stellar post-season play, collapsing the line of scrimmage and providing lanes for the Cardinals linebackers to apply pressure. Additionally, Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson was all over the field, notching two sacks and playing like a man determined to earn his first Super Bowl ring. But even more outstanding than the Cardinals defense was of course the offensive side of the ball. WR Larry Fitzgerald just might be the best WR in the game right now, as he continued his assault on the playoff record books, logging 9 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Fitzgerald appeared un-coverable when he went deep, and he found ways to get open in the middle of the field on multiple occasions, often leading to excellent run after the catch yardage. Of his nine catches, seven went for either first downs or scores, including an extended flea-flicker in the second quarter that went for a 62 yard touchdown. That play exemplified what makes Fitzgerald so great. He simply out-jumped the defenders and hauled in the pass. He’s first ballot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster this season. Can anyone really argue that? I know I can’t.
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Pittsburgh beats Baltimore 23-14
Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh, at Heinz field, in January… it really doesn’t get much better than this. This game was close in the end, as it was only a two-possession game. The game was even as close 16-14 Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter before a Troy Polamalu pick six put the icing on the cake for the Steelers. However, throughout the game, the Steelers looked like the more dominant team. Both teams displayed amazing defenses as super pass rushers Terrell Suggs and LaMarr Woodley each had two sacks for their respective teams. However, Big Ben Roethlisberger threw zero interceptions while rookie Joe Flacco threw three. In games where field position and time of possession hold as much value as in this defensive battle, you have to win the turnover battle. Nobody knows this better than the Baltimore Ravens, who have made it this far by forcing turnovers all season. Neither team really got their running game going, Willis McGahee of the Ravens took a massive hit by Ryan Clark that left both players on the ground. Clark got up, but McGahee had to be carted off on a stretcher. It was a vicious hit and I’m glad that everyone involved ended up being okay. These two teams hate each other, and that was apparent throughout, but the difference ended up being the late pick six by Polamalu and a 65-yard touchdown pass in which Santonio Holmes simply out ran and out maneuvered everyone on the field. The Steelers have an interesting match-up coming up in the Super Bowl; unlike any they’ve faced thus far. The Cardinals are a high-flying offense, carrying two former Steelers coaches in Russ Grimm and HC Ken Whisenhunt. Additionally, the Cardinals have a defense that’s come alive in the playoffs and the whole team is playing with a chip on their shoulder, which the Giants proved last year is a benefit that can never be underestimated. No matter how good the Steelers defense is, the Cardinals are going to be able to score some points, they’re just simply too good not to. The question will be whether or not the Steelers can keep up offensively and win the battle of time of possession. I can’t wait to find out.
Around The NFL
Just a couple of quick notes for what’s going on in the league this week:
Ravens DC Rex Ryan finally gets a chance to be a head coach in the league as the Jets hire him to replace the recently fired Eric Mangini. This is an outstanding hire in my opinion, as Ryan is great at maximizing his players’ production, he’s familiar with the 3-4, and he’ll likely leave a great deal of the offensive play calling up to the his OC, should that be someone new or the incumbent Brian Schottenheimer.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) announced that they will not be doing a public service announcement on animal cruelty with Michael Vick. They originally intended to, but Vick supposedly required that PETA support his plight to be re-instated into the NFL and PETA refused. PETA also said that Vick should have to undergo a brain scan and see a psychoanalyst. Many people are upset over this, but I ask readers to remember that despite what PETA said, all they are actually doing is not saying that Vick should return to the league, and that they won’t sponsor this public service announcement with him. I have my own issues with PETA, but in reality, they have a right to take this stance. It’s their money and their support. Also, if Roger Goodell decides not to reinstate Vick, I’ll totally understand. However, if Goodell doesn’t reinstate Vick and it’s apparent that the reasoning is purely to appease PETA, then I’ll agree with people’s frustration. I personally feel as though Vick did a horrible crime, has been punished sufficiently for it, and should be allowed back into the league if a team wants to sign him. He lost a good amount of time, his career, and all his money. If he isn’t allowed back in the NFL, what do you think he’s going to do? However, if he’s allowed back in and given the opportunity to give back to society and contribute to the nation as a whole, then I believe this is the most positive result for everyone. Just my two cents, what do you think? letstalknfl@hotmail.com
Until next week, enjoy the Senior Bowl, and watch defensive stars like Brian Cushing, B.J. Raji, Larry English, Clint Sintim, and Peria Jerry among other college seniors jockey for draft position in their final chance to show scouts what they have to offer on the football field. Next week I’ll have my Super Bowl prediction.
By Brandon Niles
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer