NFL Conference Championship Game Picks

Last week was either a great week for the Sportscolumn crew or an easy week to pick. All favorites won. A couple of us (Milehigh, Vegas) picked the Colts in the upset and were summarily beat down. This week, we all agree on the winners, with the exception of Guru Ganu, who has had his brain turned to mush by either the cold weather in Boston or too much Sportscenter.

Conference Championship Picks

MATCHUP	Vegas Vinny	Mile High	Guru Ganu	Mr. X
Falcons-Eagles	Eagles	Eagles	Falcons	Eagles
Patriots-Steelers	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots
Last Week	3-1	3-1	4-0	4-0

Let’s break down the games one by one.

vs

  Sunday, Jan 23. 3:00 p.m EST on Fox

Guru Ganu: He who talks loudest loses first. Freddie Mitchell, the peoples champ? I looked it up – he caught about 14 passes all year. Donovan McNabb…look into my eyes? What the hell has he won? Talk trash after you win, not after you beat an absolutely horrible Vikings team. If the Eagles win the Super Bowl they get the monkey off their back, anything short and they are nothing more than the Philadelphia Bills. I really think the Eagles have a better team than the over rated Falcons, however, all of this just seems eerily familiar. Remember last year with the 4th and a Mile T Shirts? Because of the talking and the similarities to last year I am going to go ahead and pick the Falcons in an upset. I am also going to suggest that it is the Falcons defense that comes up big. Yes this is going out on an unpopular limb, but hey, I have a feeling.

Mr. X: The Philadelphia Eagles have never had a team this deep and talented on DEFENSE in their franchise history. Even the Buddy Ryan days of Jerome Brown, Reggie White and Co. saw the Birds with holes in the secondary and without much depth. The team is astoundingly healthy thanks to a late season vacation period for the Star players and demonstrated speed and intensity at its finest against Minnesota’s high powered offense.

Now this week you’ve heard an awful lot about Michael Vick and his incredible running game and this and that. Don’t buy the hype. Jim Johnson’s Eagle defense have shutdown every single running QB they have ever played and they are built for this kind of game. Speed and Speed. Trap Vick. Blitz Vick. Basically Tampa Bay Vick all day…You say then the Falcons will just run the ball down the EAGLES throats because Pittsburgh did? That’s another urban legend. The EAGLES have been ranked #2 in the NFL in stopping the Run since Jeremiah Trotter returned to the starting lineup and their #1 Run Stopping DT (Hollis Thomas) is back 100% healthy. Add to that a pro bowl cast of stars in the secondary and you can bet that Vick and Co. are in for a world of hurt on Sunday.

The Birds will put up points the way they always do and although the FALCONS defense will pressure McNabb much more than the Vikings did…he will ultimately break their spirits with some timely scrambles and dump offs to Brian Westbrook. The Eagles end the jinx that has hovered over
them for so long and teach the FALCONS who the king of the NFC hill is for 2004-2005. The Super Bowl won’t be so easy…Paging Mr.Owens…
Final Score: Eagles 30 Falcons 13

Mile High:

I know Mike Vick is “incomparable” and incredibly exciting to watch, but I just can’t buy that the Falcons are a top tier team. Let’s face it, the NFC is awful as a whole. The Eagles are the only team that keep me from calling the NFC pathetic. McNabb has too much experience to let another NFC championship game slip away, especially not with a healthy Brian Westbrook, who I think is clearly the difference maker here. And if there were to be an upset, it wouldn’t be at the hands of the Falcons. I think we’re going to see a blowout, sort of like what happened when the Falcons played the Chiefs earlier this year. If the Eagles score early Vick will be running for his life and the Ealge pro bowl secondary will get some trophy-case keepsakes.

Vegas Vinny: Guru Ganu is suffering from Merril Hoge syndrome. See my column on the haters. He actually believes every single soundbite on ESPN without actually knowing a damn thing about the Eagles. The Eagles will win this game simply because they are a better team with more resolve.

I actually like what Jim Mora is trying to do with his club. All this talk about house money and being the loose team makes a lot of sense. But the Falcons are the Eagles of 2001, just happy to be there. This is not what makes a championship team. There is always a chance of the Eagles feeling the collar tighten a little but every indication coming from the coaches and the players is that they’re doing things differently this year.

I’ve covered the breakdown elsewhere, let me just give you a few reasons the Eagles will win. 1) Vegas has them at better than 2-1 odds. Those guys adjust the spread for betting purposes but the moneyline is where the real thinking goes in terms of who they expect to win. 2) Andy Reid vs Jim Mora. 3) Dome team in cold blustery weather. Somehow, the media would have you thinking that this is an advantage for the Falcons. 4) Merrill Hoge picked the Falcons.

vs

  Sunday, Jan 23. 6:30 p.m EST on CBS

Guru Ganu: I just have to answer who wins? The bigger question of the week is will two of my three fellow prognosticators finally pick the Patriots to win. Both Vegas Vinny and MileHigh fell victim to betting on Peyton. No wonder, everyone treats him like he is baby jesus for christ sakes, but has he ever won a big game? Beating the Broncos into oblivion doesn’t count. On a side note, did you know the Broncos have not won a big game since their half horse half man quaterback retired? Guess the Rat isn’t quite a genius without a Hall of Famer under center.

Anyway, this pick is easy. You don’t bet against the Pats. Not only will you lose if you do, but Tedd Bruschi will chase you down and eat your children. Seriously, when is everyone going to realize Tom Brady is the reincarnation of Joe Montana, and this team is the most dominant team of the current era.

This game will not be easy though, and the Steelers can not be overlooked. Too bad this game wasn’t at Gillette, there is no doubt “NICE PICK COWAAA! would be booming from the stands by halftime.

Mr. X: Well. I’ve seen it over and over and it just impresses me more and more. Every year the Patriots do it. Period. Chiefs? Panthers? Rams? Colts? Bring em all on. This team is amazing. Tom Brady’s record in the postseason is like 130 wins and 0 losses. It’s surreal. Time to give credit once and for all…this team is just silly. Add COREY DILLON to the mix and you have an even better offense. Take TY LAW out of there? No problem. You see what the Eagles and Patriots do is keep the cap manageable and replace old men with young, hungry players. The older vets they DO KEEP – are warriors and winners. It’s magical. New England has mastered it and Philadelphia wants it.

Philly will come looking for it in Super Bowl XXXIX when they face the Patriots, who will dispose of Pittsburgh in a game that will be very hard fought. Look for New England to lead comfortably early (13-3 at half or so) and then look for the Pittsburgh faithful to will Roethilisberger and Bettis back into the game. It just seems to be Pittsburgh’s magical year. But in the end, the experience and winning ways of New England will see Thomas Brady leading the Pats down the field in the waning moments of a 13-13 game and Adam Vinatieri doing what he always does. Coming up clutch as time expires.

Final Score: New England 16 Pittsburgh 13

Mile High: All I can say about the Patriots is WOW. This could be the best dynasty of all time. How can I say that against teams like the 9ers, Cowboys, Steelers? Simple, there are no super stars on the Patriots. They are all interchangeable players. Somehow they find a way to win the key games. Enough of the lovefest on the Patsies, but I really don’t think the Steelers have a chance in this one. I’d love to have Steeltown win as it would be a nice change, but they’ve been shaky at the tail end of the season and of course in last week’s near miss. The difference maker in this one is cleary Corey Dillon for me. He was injured in the regular season meeting at Pitt when the Pats were manhandled. You know the Pats will be well-prepared and I’ll take experience over the youthful Roethlisberger in this one, but it’ll be close.

Vegas Vinny: After seeing what the Patriots did to Indy’s offense, is there any doubt they’re going to absolutely destroy the Steelers? What possible advantage could anyone put in the Steelers column? Better coach? No. Better QB? Are you kidding? Better defense? Again, did you see what the Patsies did to Indy. Better running game? Maybe. Cold weather? No.

Tom Brady took it personally that everyone was slobbering over Manning. He’s taking it personally this week as well. Ben is undefeated as a rookie? So what, Brady hasn’t lost a game in the PLAYOFFS. Patriots avenge their loss and the Steelers fans crawl back into the woodwork.