NFL Conference Championship Game Predictions

Well, we’re getting down to it now.  Only four teams are left with a chance to call themselves Super Bowl Champs.  Who would have thought coming in to the playoffs that at this point Arizona would still be alive while both Manning boys and the Titans would be done.  Anyway, here are my picks for who will meet in Super Bowl 43.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh: The Steelers appear to be the clear favorite to win it all at this point with the highest remaining seed and the league’s best defense during the regular season.  However, they come up against a Ravens defense that has allowed just 19 points while forcing 8 turnovers in two playoff games.  This looks like a smash mouth defensive struggle as Pittsburgh looks to knock off Baltimore for the third time this season.  The Steelers won the previous two meetings by a total of seven points.  I think being at home and the fact that Baltimore will be playing for the 18th week in a row gives the very slight edge to the Steelers.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Philadelphia at Arizona: This is also a rematch from the regular season as the Eagles hammered the Cardinals 48-20 on Thanksgiving in Philadelphia.  However, this match up will be in Arizona and the Cardinals have played much better at home.  Arizona’s offense has been it’s calling card all season and the playoffs have been no exception has they are averaging 31.5 points a game in the postseason.  But in their two playoff games the defense has come up with some playing plays forcing 9 turnovers including six last week at Carolina.  The Eagles defense has been stout as well allowing just 12.5 points a game and forcing 5 turnovers of their own in their two playoff games.  I think the return of Anquan Boldin will only make the Cardinals offense even better as they are the only one of the three teams having that have played twice in the postseason to have topped 30 points in b0th games.  I think that will be the difference in this game.

Pick: Arizona

Last Week: 1-3

Season: 99-48-1