Conference Championship Prediction Thread

[therealworldschampion 0]

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles, 3:00 PM

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers, 6:30 PM

[Guest Failed Mascot]

I'm going for the Patriots. Belichik makes adjustments like no other and now he knows what to expect from the Steelers. Bill Cowher is just not a good coach. A healthy Richard Seymour will help this revitalised defense even more. It'll be a very close game, but in the end I think the Pats pull it out and Dillon shows why his absense hurt in the first game.

 

As for Atlanta and Philli...well Philli doesn't like to go to the SuperBowl apparently, so I'll pick the Falcons. My SB prediction is

 

Patriots and Falcons.

[iggymcfly 0]

The Falcons are playing awesome, and their secondary will be primed to take advantage of Donovan McNabb's tendency to choke in big games. I say the Eagles actually lead 10-7 at the half, before McNabb throws three picks in the second half and Atlanta wins 34-10.

 

The Patriots strengths are their D-line and linebacking corps, so if anyone can shut down Bettis and Duce, they should be it. When the Patriots lost in Pittsburgh the first time, they still thought they were coasting through an endless win streak, and they couldn't have been playing with the intensity they will next week. I say the Patriots go into Pittsburgh and come out with a win, 17-10.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Patriots and Falcons

 

The Eagles need to actually win something before I buy the never ending hype for McNabb. Plus the Falcons are a running team and the Eagles have sucked against running team.

 

Patriots/Steelers will be close but I don't see the Pats losing to the Steelers twice. I think they'll have something to surprise them.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Early line has the Patriots favored by 2 1/2.

 

Home underdogs, #1 seed. No respect, baby.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I pick the Steelers and Eagles. The Eagles are far better stat-wise than the Falcons. The Falcons barely scored more points than they allowed this season. I'm taking the Steelers because they've gone 16-1, and they beat the Patriots. At home, I feel no reason to think it will go different. Besides, I'd love to see an All-Pennsylvania Super Bowl. I might actually watch it.

[Cartman 0]

Why the hell do they overlap these games? I mean they couldnt use the time slots they had today instead?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Well, AGAIN I'll miss the Eagles game, due to work.

[KingPK 0]

Last year I think it was 12:30 and 4:30 start times, which was fine. The AFC game won't start until 6:30, which is kinda late for a Sunday.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

My predictions:

Patriots 28, Steelers 17.

Patriots D will be able to limit the Steelers running game to 140-160 yards total and force Roethlisberger to throw it. If Ben can throw the ball well then the Steelers could have a very good chance of taking this. Corey Dillon is a huge piece for the Pats offense and should see 20-25 carries easy which will help the Pats control the clock and possibly do what they did this game. Actually, if I were the Pats I'd try and repeat their performance vs the Colts because the Steelers rely on the running game so much. If the TOP is low and the Steelers are down 10-0 entering the 3rd, they may be forced to pass more and Belichek can take advantage of that.

 

Falcons 27, Eagles 14

I think it'll be a close contest but the Falcons special teams are dangerous and the rushing game is a lot like the Steelers in that they can sub in Duckett for Dunn at will. The Eagles also have to be wary of Vick and his ability to get a big run and as a result, Vick will be able to make a few big plays with his arms.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I don't like the idea of picking two road teams, but I have to go with New England & Atlanta. Philly feels the hurt this week without TO, and New England simply has less holes than Pittsburgh, plus they have Dillon for the rematch.

[Slayer 0]

I pick a NE vs. Atlanta SB

 

and I do not want to see an all Pennsylvania SB

[Art Sandusky 0]

I'm really not as interested as I'd be if it were the teams that weren't predicted since roughly Week 10 to be in the spots they're in now.

[The Man in Blak 0]

I'll go with Pittsburgh and Atlanta. The Steelers got the kick in the ass from the Jets that they needed to confront the Patriots, who are pretty much a mirror image of the Steelers anyway. I see it going 16-13 in overtime, with Dillon and Bettis being held to around 70-80 yards a piece - a defensive struggle the whole way.

 

Philadelphia is the better team than Atlanta, but the game versus the Vikings give me no faith in the Eagles. The porous Minnesota defense essentially held them to twenty points (the "fumble recovery" by Freddie Mitchell was a one-in-a-million play), and Philly got plenty of breaks along the way that put them to a decisive, but underwhelming win. I think Atlanta pulls off the upset with a strong effort from the defense and Warrick Dunn.

[the pinjockey 0]

Plus the Falcons are a running team and the Eagles have sucked against running team.

I thought this idea had been put to rest over the past 2 1/2 months.

 

Pats: Two reasons here

1. ) They are the defending champs and I was stupid for not picking them against the Colts as I always stick to the idea to pick them until they are beaten.

 

2. ) Belichek is seeing Roethlisberger for the second time and I have to think after looking at the Jets games he will have a gameplan to create turnovers, from which they will create points unlike the Jets offense.

 

Eagles: Jermaine Mayberry owned Kevin Williams today and I don't see a reason for that to change with Rod Coleman. The secondary should be able to shut down Price and Finneran. Crumpler will cause some problems if they look to him, but they will need more than that through the air. They still have the best kicker in the game in Akers, so a close game the edge will lean toward the Eagles. And al has already brought up the point statistics.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Pats:

 

1) Belichick will definitley have a gameplan for Roethlisberger, especially the second time.

 

2) They're the defending champs and I think they have a huge advantage if its close.

 

Eagles:

 

1)The run defense has proven itself to be in good shape. Never mind the fact that the Eagles historically have done extremely well against Warrick Dunn(look at the 2000 and 2001 games against him as proof.

 

2) I'm not worried about Vick. Jim Johnson will probably copy the Bucs game plan from the 27-0 shutout a month ago. Kearse is very similar to Simeon Rice, someone who has dominated Vick over the years. If they force Vick to throw most of the game, that'll shut down the Falcon offense.

 

3) The Eagles special teams are not the Rams special teams. I'll give Akers the edge over Feely since this game is being played outside. Weather reports are also calling for 30 degrees and snow, which might hurt the Falcons since they're a dome team.

[jimmy no nose 0]

I like Atlanta in the NFC because of that running game. It won't be as out of control as it was this week, but Philadelphia's run D hasn't been that great this year so I think Atlanta can control the ball for a while and hold on. It'll be a close game though. Something like Atlanta 21 Philadelphia 17

 

In the AFC I think the Patriots might have an edge based on their play this week, but the Steelers seem to play at their best as home underdogs, so that may give them a big boost. The running games will definitely decide this one. Dillon has had some good games against the Steelers in the past, but has also had his share of games where he was shut down. Duce Staley look like he's back to 100% this week, and Bettis has been playing well all year. I'll call it Pittsburgh 17, New England 13

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

The Falcons "are a running team" against awful defenses.

 

The Falcons aren't as good outdoors.

 

Donovan McNabb is much more a complete quarterback than Michael Vick.

 

Brian Westbrook is a more valuable weapon than Duckett & Dunn combined.

 

The Eagles receivers are making plays.

 

The Eagles defense is SICK.

 

Eagles win.

 

Again.

 

Over on the AFC...the two most boring teams in football match up, with "pound it up the middle" Vs. "make few mistakes, execute the basics perfectly".

 

Uh, Pittsburgh wins it, I don't care.

[Damaramu 0]

I hope the Steelers will win but I think the Pats will probably beat them.

 

I want the Eagles to win and that's my prediciton. Michael Vick may just revert into a fumbling machine against the Eagles D.

[cabbageboy 0]

It occurred to me today that the Pats are like the HHH of football...constantly getting the title push even though people are for the most part bored shitless with them and want someone else on top (Steelers are the new hope Batista, Colts are the Jericho who constantly come up short until they have no heat left).

 

In the NFC, look we all know the drill here. I don't care what the Eagles stats look like....we all know they'll choke their asses off next week. It just makes sense in all areas: They have the T.O. injury excuse, they need 1 more title game loss to truly be the JV Bills, they're playing a 3rd straight NFC South team in the title game.

 

Let's also consider this...Eagles/Pats in the SB would be the most boring game in history. I mean seriously it'd be 6-3. Eagles D is too good in the secondary and they won't score shit without T.O. (or with a banged up T.O.). So the NFL desperately NEEDS the Falcons to win this game...let's face it, neither the Pats or Steelers are the most riveting team on earth to watch, so they need Vick to bust some shit out and create some excitement.

 

I have no idea what to say about the NE/Pitt game next week. I'll leave it at this: It's a sick world when Roethlisberger could be 2-0 vs. the Pats and Manning can't beat them to save his life.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

god I hate when people make the wrestling angles to sports comparisons.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Let's also consider this...Eagles/Pats in the SB would be the most boring game in history. I mean seriously it'd be 6-3. Eagles D is too good in the secondary and they won't score shit without T.O. (or with a banged up T.O.). So the NFL desperately NEEDS the Falcons to win this game...let's face it, neither the Pats or Steelers are the most riveting team on earth to watch, so they need Vick to bust some shit out and create some excitement.

 

We don't need ESPN spending two weeks fighting amongst themselves to see who gets to blow Michael Vick next.

[Chazz 0]

Steelers over New England

 

Philadelphia over Atlanta

 

 

The Battle of PA In The SuperBowl. Go Steelers!

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

God.

 

Vick Vs Brady is obvious

[Guest Failed Mascot]

The Battle of PA In The SuperBowl. Go Steelers!

Nothing turns off a whole country more than an interstate world championship.

[Damaramu 0]

It's not like the Falcons would have a snowballs chance in hell of beating the Patriots if they went to the Super Bowl. Hell it's not like they'd beat the Steelers.....

[therealworldschampion 0]

Eagles-Patriots would be quite the matchup as well, pitting what are considered to be the two top organizations in the NFL(ownership, management, coaching-wise) in the NFL's top game.

 

Think of the coaching matchups as well: Reid and Childress vs. Belichick and Crennel and Jim Johnson vs. Charlie Weis.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

The Battle of PA In The SuperBowl.  Go Steelers!

Nothing turns off a whole country more than an interstate world championship.

Kinda like San Diego Vs San Fran.

 

Which to my knowledge is the ONLY interstate football title game ever.

 

I don't really count Buffalo/New York.

[Damaramu 0]

The Battle of PA In The SuperBowl.  Go Steelers!

Nothing turns off a whole country more than an interstate world championship.

Kinda like San Diego Vs San Fran.

 

Which to my knowledge is the ONLY interstate football title game ever.

 

I don't really count Buffalo/New York.

I think San Fran/San Diego more turned people off b/c everyone knew the outcome.......

[Chazz 0]

The Battle of PA In The SuperBowl.  Go Steelers!

Nothing turns off a whole country more than an interstate world championship.

I could give a shit about ratings for The Superbowl or what the rest of The Country thought, just as long as The Steelers make It there.