NFL 09 "Conference Championships" Talkback

[The Penguin]

After the Giants' loss last week, there will be new Super Bowl Champions this year. Who will it be? The Arizona Cardinals, who have been doormats forever and underdogs the whole playoffs? Or will it be the Philadelphia Eagles, who had one game end in a tie, benched their starting quarterback in another and went on an impossible run to make it to the playoffs in the first place, let alone beating the third and first seeds? Could it be the Pittsburgh Steelers, the only 'bye team' left and champions of a few years ago? Or is that new champion the Baltimore Ravens, led by their rookie quarterback and head coach? We'll find out by the end of the night and then we'll see you Feb. 1 for Super Bowl XLIII!

NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/preview?game_id=29525&displayPage=tab_preview&season=2007&week=POST20&override=true) - NFC Championship

NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/preview?game_id=54464&displayPage=tab_preview&season=2008&week=POST20&override=true) - AFC Championship


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/sports.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nfltb.jpg

Conference Championships
Sunday, Jan. 18

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/phi.gif @ http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/ari_2.gif
3:00 p.m. on FOX


http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/bal_2.gif @ http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/pit.gif
6:30 p.m. on CBS

[.bg]

Arizona is hungrier. They want it more than the other teams. I'm pulling for them.

As for the AFC, go Ravens.

[GrayGhost]

Go Steelers!

[The Cartoon]

I'm pulling for the underdogs: The Eagles and The Ravens

EDIT: It's funny, on the poll each team has one vote right now.

[SF4Ever]

I'm pulling for the underdogs: The Eagles and The Ravens.

Eagles aren't the underdogs in today's NFC final. .bg hit the nail on the head about the Cardinals- most are counting them out, but in NFL reality, that's a condescendent error(remember the Steelers[3 years ago], Colts[2 years ago] and the Giants[last year]). If it's the Cardinals representing the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII, whether it's the Steelers or Ravens, whomever wins on the AFC side will likely be the ultimate challenge for the perennial underdog Cardinals, not that they can't overcome it. I like good NFL storylines, especially when we think about the last three Super Bowl champions, Steelers(XL), Colts(XLI) and Giants(XLII). I'd like to see the Cardinals beat the Eagles and finally take it all the way in Super Bowl XLIII. We'll just have to stay tuned.

[.bg]

Let's not forget about the Pats' comeback story.

[bigddan11]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/smoothjazzandmore/NFLPlayoffs.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/smoothjazzandmore/cards-eagles.jpg
Arizona has never been to a Superbowl. In dfact, this is the first time they've hosted one,, much less two playoff games since they were in the Windy City. Most people would say the Eagles have the expiernece, but not so fast. McNabb and Reid are only 1-3 in NFC Championships. Kurt Warner is only one or two wins behind McNabb overall, and the Cards coach had plenty of expierence with teh Pats. Expect the team that everyone said shouldn't be in the playoffs to win and advance to their first ever Superbowl with a 10-point victory at home over Philadelphia, as I think the only reaso the Cards lost the first meeting was because it was a road game.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/smoothjazzandmore/steelers-ravens.jpg
Haven't we seen this before, not once but twice this season? Baltimore's D has been tough against all teams not named Pittsburgh. Wait, they are playing Pittsburgh. Baltimore only had 5 losses. Two were to Pittsburgh. Baltimore's D has been stifling, but not thanks to Joe Flacco, and the Steelers have proven they can give Flacco as many problems as the Ravens can to Rotlisburger. You also can't deny that Rothlisburger is 6-2 in the playoffs with a Superbowl Championship already in his belt. Expect the Steelers to win by 9 and make it a clean seep of the Ravens this season.

[bigddan11]

The Cardinals spent 61 years inbetween championships, longest next to the Cubbies, but that drought ended today when Kurt Warner led the Cards down the field in the final 6 minutes of the game, led them to a TD, and then got the two-point conversion. I've alwas been of the opinion that Warner should be a Hall of Famer, and leading the Cards to the Superbowl only cements that in my mind even more.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/PHI/42x50.png (11-7-1) Philadelphia Eagles 25
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/ARI/42x50.png (12-7) Arizona Cardinals 32

[tucsoncoyote]

How do you love those apples... Arizona the NFC Champs and they're going to the Super Bowl Anyone want to bet they win all the marbles?

:coyote:

[Mesousa]

The Cardinals to the Super Bowl...

Sounds awesome. I think I should root for them (cause I always root for the underdog).

[JPPT1974]

Cards, the little team, that could!:)

[SF4Ever]

How do you love those apples... Arizona the NFC Champs and they're going to the Super Bowl Anyone want to bet they win all the marbles?

:coyote:

It wouldn't matter if they have to face the Steelers or the Ravens in Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals will come out fighting. Expect them to be motivated by the real possibility that they're probably going to be underdogs in the big game, but they don't care- they'll take care of their business, however they see fit. Don't be surprised if the Cardinals wind up winning Super Bowl XLIII, because it can happen. They know what they've been through for a long time and expect Ken Whisenhunt to keep them motivated. Keep in mind, a Cardinals win in Super Bowl XLIII,will give the state of Arizona its second professional World Championship in its history(remember when the D'Backs beat the Yankees in a full 7 games in the 2001 MLB World Series?). Stay tuned.

[Don_East]

I want the Steelers win for two reasons...


My mom is a big Steelers fan, so I'll support them due to the Dolphins losing.
Cam Cameron, the coach of the Dolphins when they had the awful season last year is now working for the Ravens. I do not want them to win as long as he is on there.Also, congrats Arizona for finally going to the Super Bowl.

[tucsoncoyote]

(remember when the D'Backs beat the Yankees in a full 7 games in the 2001 MLB World Series?).


Who couldn't forget that? I mean that was the year Randy Johnson sacrificed a dove with a killer pitch. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxeGkPeR90)

Of course the Cardinals will definitely be a rather interesting force to beat.

:coyote:

[ABrown]

As an objective person not really rooting for the Steelers or Ravens, I gotta say that Pittsburgh got robbed. That was a catch by Holmes in the first quarter that was overturned on the review.

Congrats to the Arizona Cardinals. Had they never left Chicago, I would definitely be a Cardinals fan.

[tucsoncoyote]

As an objective person not really rooting for the Steelers or Ravens, I gotta say that Pittsburgh got robbed. That was a catch by Holmes in the first quarter that was overturned on the review.

Congrats to the Arizona Cardinals. Had they never left Chicago, I would definitely be a Cardinals fan.

Actually the Cardinals were from St. Louis Mo, But yeah if it wasn't for all the team switching cities bit, St. Louis would have still had the Cardinals and Arizona would still be waiting for their own NFL Team.

:coyote:

[The Penguin]

Actually the Cardinals were from St. Louis Mo, But yeah if it wasn't for all the team switching cities bit, St. Louis would have still had the Cardinals and Arizona would still be waiting for their own NFL Team.No, he's right. The Cardinals were in Chicago until they moved to St. Louis in 1960. That championship they won so long ago (1947) was when they were in Chicago.

[Don_East]

Ravens: 14
Steelers: 23
Final

YES! STEELERS WIN! THE STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

[bigddan11]

With three turnovers in the final four and a half minutes, the Pittsburgh Steelers have managed to reclaim their glory from a couple of years ago, beaten the Ravens for a third time in one season, and are headed back to Tampa for the Superbowl.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/BAL/42x50.png (13-6) Baltimore Ravens 14
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/PIT/42x50.png (14-4) Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Best of all, I managed to go two for two on my championship picks, though I obviously would have blown the spread on both of them.

Now the big question is which team will win it all- the leagues best defense with a stalwart offense or the leagues best offense with a pretty stalwart defense?

[SF4Ever]

Get set, everyone- it's looking like as of the 4th Qtr. of the Ravens-Steelers game with a 23-14 Pitt advantage, it's looking like it will be Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers going up against Ken Whisenhunt's Arizona Cardinals at Super Bowl XLIII from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Remember, the last team the Steelers faced in a Super Bowl was the Seattle Seahawks, out of the NFC West, same as the Cardinals. This game, however, is not a given, although the Steelers will likely be favored over the Cardinals. Keep in mind that Cardinals HC Ken Whisenhunt was once an Off. Cordinator for the Steelers, so he'll have some assemblence of what the Steelers will throw at the Cardinals. Mike Tomlin's team has faced Whisenhunt's team, during the 2007-08 season, in Glendale, in a losing effort. All in all, the Steelers will make a very worthy oponent for the Cardinals. The Steelers have already won a Super Bowl, this decade, so if the Cardinals want to be Super Bowl champions, they'll have to get past Pitt. This will be an interesting game, especially for Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, who'll now look to follow Tony Dungy(he led the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI) and become the second african-american head coach to win a Super Bowl. For Ken Whisenhunt, he'll look to beat his former team, the Steelers, with his current team, the Cardinals. This game can still go, either way, in two weeks.

[Tay the Cat]

No, he's right. The Cardinals were in Chicago until they moved to St. Louis in 1960. That championship they won so long ago (1947) was when they were in Chicago.

Correct.

Fast fact: The coach of that championship winning Cardinals team: Curly Lambeau, whom Lambeau Field is named for.

[silverwings]

Well, guess I'm now a Cardinals fan. :D

[Linkpre]

Guess a Cardinals/Pittsburg game won't be too bad. Hope that Willis is okay. Hopefully he'll still be able to walk.

[Lord Dalek]

Its official. The Super Bowl is the Steelers' to lose.

[Squall]

Its official. The Super Bowl is the Steelers' to lose.

The Panthers and Eagles thought the same thing - that their matchups against Arizona was their Playoff games to lose.

Watch the Cardinals use that mentality against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, too.

One Sunday afternoon during the 1990's, my father, my brothers and I were all watching a Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals game together. One of my brothers curiously asked my father, "So... The Cowboys have been to a lot of Super Bowls. Do you think the Cardinals will ever go to a Super Bowl?"

My father laughed and said, "If the Cardinals ever make it to the Super Bowl, it'll be one of the 7 Signs of The Apocolypse."

So... Should we start worrying now? :p

Also coming up in 2009: the L.A. Clippers play in the NBA Finals, the Chicago Cubs play in the World Series, and the Ottawa Senators play in the Stanley Cup. It's the End of Days! LOL

[Robin2099]

Glad to see Arizona make it. I really want to see Kurt Warner get another ring, and I'll cheer for them as I hate the Steelers more than any team in pro sports.

I will say the AFC game was depressing to watch cause I'm a Bengals fan and it just further drove home the point that we will never get anywhere near the top as long as Mike Brown keeps doing his best to ruin the Bengals.

[dmxx116]

The Steelers are going to win all.

[SF4Ever]

I happen to be a Colts fan, but watching the Steelers punch their ticket to Super Bowl XLIII made me think that they'll be a worthy oponent to the perennial underdog Cardinals, not to mention the Cardinals' last obstacle to overcome in order to win the Super Bowl. As I stated when the Colts eventually won Super Bowl XLI: It's the nature of the challenge, and that resonates well with the Cardinals, right now. Could the Steelers win their 6th Super Bowl? Possibly, but they'll have thier hands full. The Cardinals fully know in order to win the Super Bowl, they'll have to earn it by beating the Steelers. Can the Cardinals beat the Steelers and win Super Bowl XLIII? In this decade, anything can happen and normally does. Keep in mind, there is something called "The Steelers' Influence", namely current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, whom by the was was one of Tony Dungy's proteges when he took over for Herman Edwards on the Buccaneers' coaching staff in 2001(Tony was a former Steelers DB in the late 1970's, played in Super Bowl XIII and won) and Ken Whisenhunt, Bill Cowher's Off. Coordinator on the Steelers, during Super Bowl XL. Aside from Super Bowl XL, which was won by the Steelers, "The Steelers' Influence" continued at Super Bowl XLI, by way of then-Colts coach Tony Dungy and Colts Off. Coordinator and former Steelers asst. coach Tom Moore(both coached under legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll). When the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, Noll offered his congratulations to both Dungy and Moore(Moore was Steelers asst. coach at Super Bowl XIII and XIV). Now, to present time, Whisenhunt and another Cowher protege, Russ Grimm, who's also on the Cardinals' coaching staff and Cowher's successor and Dungy protege, Mike Tomlin, are keeping that Steelers' Influence going as the Steelers and Cardinals will battle it out for the NFL's ultimate prize in Super Bowl XLIII. The game , itself, will be competitive as the Cardinals will look to end a six-decade long championship drought against a very worthy Steelers team. Stay tuned.

[hobbyfan]

I have two words for Eagles fans. Karmic justice. The non-call at the end of the game when pass interference could've been called? Let's consider that in the last two games, Brian Dawkins could've been called for helmet-2-helmet hits, but wasn't, and the reason the Giants could not sack Donovan McNabb in three games wasn't "max protection" by the offensive line, but blatant holding that wasn't being called because in the playoffs, they want to "let them play". I saw at least one replay in the Giants game that makes this point salient. Why wasn't Dawkins fined for the hits on Adrian Peterson and one of the Giants?

Given the fierce rivalry between Baltimore & Pittsburgh, I thought it'd be a closer game than it was. McGahee, BTW, is expected to make a full recovery, and there is a case where Clark could've gotten 15 for the helmet hit, too, but like Dawkins, nothing was called.

I don't know what the spead is yet, but if it's more than 3-4, you have to bet Arizona. I can't see Pitt blowing them out.

[krazymed]

It baffles me how the team with the worst record in the NFC playoffs gets to host TWO playoff games and backdoor their way into the Super Bowl. And Boldin needs to be fired. Not traded or released, but fired. As in, "take your whining during our greatest moment and go away now."

As for Steelers and Ravens, everybody jokes about how most of the players are going to end up in the hospital. Well, there you go. I wonder if the NFL is going to fine everyone for those hits that did not draw flags, because that is what they do.

[Ajax]

You know its actually quite funny. Someone around week 6 (i think it was) predicted, you know after the Cardinal hot start, that they were going to the Super Bowl. I remember a couple of us (i know I did) laughing at him and proceeding to own him with logic.

You know I keep thinking of William Goldman's famous words "Nobody knows anything" because if the Cardinals have proven anything, its that. Regardless if he wins or not, Kurt Warner is a first ballot hall of famer. 10 years ago he took a franchise that was a laughing stock and turned into the greatest show on turf and SB champions. Now hes taken a franchise that was nothing and taken them to the SB. IF thats not HoF material, idk what is.

[Tapout]

It baffles me how the team with the worst record in the NFC playoffs gets to host TWO playoff games and backdoor their way into the Super Bowl.They weren't the worst record in the playoffs, San Diego was at 8-8, but the NFC West stinks. And while they may have backdoored themselves into the playoffs, not so with the Super Bowl. I'd put the Cards above any other team's playoff performance this year.

And Boldin needs to be fired. Not traded or released, but fired. As in, "take your whining during our greatest moment and go away now."They were still down when the incident happened, so it was hardly their greatest moment. Players yell at coaches all the time. And apparently the whole sneaking out the back door thing is being vastly overblown. He didn't run out the second the game was over. He answered a few questions and left a little early because he didn't want to deal with the media and quite frankly I don't blame him.

[The Penguin]

They weren't the worst record in the playoffs, San Diego was at 8-8, but the NFC West stinks. And while they may have backdoored themselves into the playoffs, not so with the Super Bowl. I'd put the Cards above any other team's playoff performance this year.That's why krazymed said NFC playoffs. And while the Eagles have a better record only because of their tie, krazymed is correct, Arizona had the worst record on the "blue side".

The Cards really did back into this spot, but they did beat three teams I expected to beat them easily to get to where they are now. However, I think now the focus will be on the Cardinals and how much of an amazing story this is. I know Kurt Warner can handle that, but I won't be surprised if the Steelers come out of hiding in plain sight and pop them one and take the trophy away.

[Zach]

Defense trumps all. Steelers take home the Lombardi.

[bigddan11]

They weren't the worst record in the playoffs, San Diego was at 8-8, but the NFC West stinks.
Again I will refute this opinion. Arizona was 9-7 and San Francisco was 7-9, but the 49ers won 4 of the last 5. The NFC West, outside of St. Louis, was competitive throughout he season. The NFC West just had the bad draw of playing against the NFC and AFC East, where only 1 team finished below .500 (Buffalo at 7-9). I don't see Arizona winning the Superbowl when they have to face the best D in the NFL, which is why I'm picking the Steelers to win it all, but they've certainly proved they belong.

[krazymed]

The Steelers had a far tougher schedule. One of their conference opponents was the Ravens. They also had to play the NFC East. And their four losses were to playoff teams (Ind, NYG, Philly, and Ten).

And Boldin walked off the field and went home right after the game. He did not stay for the trophy presentation. Didn't even offer up an apology today. This happened before with Terrell Owens in San Francisco. And to the shock of no one, Boldin's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. And Boldin's trying to get a franchise contract that clearly belongs to Larry Fitzgerald. This guy needs to be fired.

[SF4Ever]

Defense trumps all. Steelers take home the Lombardi.

Not quite- total team efforts trump all. Remember two years ago at Super Bowl XLI, the Bears with their top-notch defense, got worn out by Peyton Manning's brillant game management of keeping his offense on the field for a very long time . Some fans condescendently raved "The Bears don't need an offense, going into Super Bowl XLI". Well, the Bears lost that game because the truth is they needed an offense to compete with the Colts, and in the end, especially in the falling rain, the Bears just didn't have it. Fast forward to the present, in the AFC title game, has anyone noticed the Steelers' running game was virtually non-existent? Defensively, they can stop the run, but unfortunately for them, they're vulnerable to getting worn down, especially by QBs like Kurt Warner, so the Steelers need to be extra careful not to fall into the same trap the Bears fell into at Super Bowl XLI. If the Steelers are going to have any significant success at Super Bowl XLIII, they've got to run the ball with Willie Parker, because on the Cardinals side, Edgerrin James has busted up the Steelers' run defense on a couple of occasions. At the same time, remember TE Jeramie Tuman, a former Steeler, who recently re-signed with the Cardinals? I'd also talk about LB Clark Haggans(another former Steeler), but unfortunately, he's on injured reserve for the Cardinals. Then of course, the Cardinals leader, Ken Whisenhunt and his lieutenant, Russ Grimm, two of Bill Cowher's proteges at Super Bowl XL. Cowher's successor, Mike Tomlin, will keep the Steelers focused, but Ken Whisenhunt knows what the Steelers are capable of planning, so expect him to come up with a game plan for the Cardinals to counter the Steelers at Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers' defense can't help them if they can't run the ball on offense, and that's cause for concern. Defense, alone, can't win a championship, unless you can score, offensively, and that, like it or not, is the truth.

[Burgundy Ranger]

Again I will refute this opinion. Arizona was 9-7 and San Francisco was 7-9, but the 49ers won 4 of the last 5.
Beating Buffalo, the Jets, St. Louis and Washington is like beating Larry, Moe, Curly and Shemp -- four of the Stooge-iest teams in the league.

All four of those teams -- at some point in the year -- played some of the worst and/or most disappointing football in all of the NFL.

But, 49ers fans have more reason to be optimistic about where their team is and where it's going than us Redskins fans do.

The Cardinals are EXACTLY the reason why playoffs are so magnificent and are the one thing the BCS will never be able to provide.

And, if the Cardinals prove able of winning one more game and wind up lfting the Lombardi, they will still be miles away from the label of "The Best Team in the NFL in 2008". Not even close.

But that's more than OK because "champion" does not equal "best team" -- and every team would rather be called the former.

[hobbyfan]

Beating Buffalo, the Jets, St. Louis and Washington is like beating Larry, Moe, Curly and Shemp -- four of the Stooge-iest teams in the league.

:lol: !!!!!

[.bg]

The Cardinals are EXACTLY the reason why playoffs are so magnificent and are the one thing the BCS will never be able to provide.
We've had three "shocking" Super Bowl wins in a row. Not what I'd call magnificent. This quote explains it all:


• The 2005 Steelers were the first No. 6 seed to win a Super Bowl and the first team to win the Super Bowl without the benefit of a home playoff game. The 2005 Steelers, in other words, were an anomaly by historic standards.
• The 2006 Colts entered the playoffs with the worst run defense the NFL had seen since the expansion Vikings of 1961 (Indy surrendered an awful 5.33 YPA) and a unit that surrendered 360 points that year. It was the worst defense of any Super Bowl champion. The 2006 Colts, in other words, were an anomaly by historic standards.
• The 2007 Giants were a 10-6 team that outscored opponents by a mere 22 total points over the regular season. Yet, as a No. 5 seed, the Giants won three straight road games before winning the Super Bowl. Their +22 scoring differential is the lowest of any Super Bowl champion and only the 2006 Colts (360 points) gave up more points than the Giants (351). The 2007 Giants, in other words, were an anomaly by historic standards.
• The 2008 Cardinals are the latest Team Nobody Saw Coming -- the anomalous Super Bowl contender that not only lost seven games this year, but lost many of them badly. The Cardinals were blown out by 21 points or more four times this year. They scored just one more point than they surrendered (427-426) and if they do win Sunday -- remember, they get to play at home -- they'll easily be the worst team and the worst defensive club that's ever reached a Super Bowl.

If one team upsets the apple cart every so often, rising from the statistical abyss to unexpectedly capture a championship, then you have a nice little story to celebrate for years.

But when it happens year after year, it's no longer a nice little story. It's a sign of structural problems within the league and its playoff system in particular.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/01/15/chff/index.html