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Who Do You Think is Going to the Super Bowl?
by Sarah

Welcome to week two of the NFL playoffs. The puts us one week closer to the big game - The Super Bowl.

Right now there are eight teams left. We've got The Baltimore Ravens, The Tennessee Titans, The San Diego Chargers and The Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC and The Philadelphia Eagles, The New York Giants, The Carolina Panthers and The Arizona Cardinals left in the NFC.

So which teams do I think will be left standing on Monday? I'll tell you.

Tomorrow at 4:30 The Tennessee Titans host The Baltimore Ravens. My initial instinct was to root for The Ravens. My original thinking was that I might be able to score tickets to a Baltimore playoff game and M&T Bank Stadium is only 45 minutes from my house. Then I realized that as the Wild Card team even if the Ravens made it all the way to the Super Bowl they won't be playing a home game until pre-season 2009. Besides, lets be honest - The Titans are monsters. They lost three games this year, but they pretty much dominated the other 13. They had the best record in the NFL and Baltimore has a rookie Quarterback. I'm taking The Tennesse Titans.

At 8:15 The Arizona Cardinals will be playing in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers. Look, I know that Arizona arguably has the two best receivers in the NFL (which is good for Kurt Warner because that is the only way he can be successful.) but I don't think the Cardinals stand a chance here. I have followed the NFC South closely for years now and the Carolina defense is brutal. That is not even making mention of how freaking good the offense is. In fact, did I say the two best receivers were Fitzgerald and Boldin? I only said that because I forgot the freakish skills of Steve Smith. And have you seen DeAngelo Williams run? No contest here I have to pick The Carolina Panthers to win.

The early game Sunday has the reigning champions The New York Giants pitted against The Philadelphia Eagles. While I fully admit that the Eagles have really come together here at the end of the season The Giants have looked good all year. These teams split their two regular season meetings. Oddly, both teams lost at home. Nonetheless, I don't see Philadelphia winning another one in Giants Stadium this time . I'll take The New York Giants.

Last, but not least The Pittsburgh Steelers will be hosting The San Diego Chargers for Sunday Night Football. Last week the Chargers upset the Colts shocking the entire state of Indiana. San Diego was supposed to be amazing this year but they got off to a slow start and they lost their first two games. Now it is doubtful that LaDanian Tomlinson will even play in this game. I understand that Ben Roethlisberger has a concussion but even if he doesn't take one snap his back-up, Byron Leftwich, is no slouch. in fact I think Leftwich is better than half the starters in the league. I'm going with The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who else is picking? 

Pigskin Loving Lady agrees with me on all of the games except for one:

Baltimore -
I like the way the Ravens are playing, very reminiscent of the 2000
team that won the Super Bowl, but even better. Flaco has been taught
how 'not to lose' the game and it works baby, it works.

Carolina
- I've rallied behind the Panthers BEFORE training camp, no need to
stop now. The double threat in the backfield will tire out the
Cardinals' defense.

NY Giants -
I know I'm contradicting myself. But you can't go against the champions
until they're dethroned. The New England Patriots taught me that lesson.

Pittsburgh -
Although Big Ben is coming off a concussion, the Steelers have the #1
defense and home field advantage and possibly some s-n-o-w!

Over at Girls are Real Sports Fans Too she seems to agree with The Pigskin Loving Lady:

BALT @ TENN = Gee, this one is tough. The Titans have been kicking ass
all year, but I think BALT has a slight edge. I'm going w/ BALT.

AZ
@ CAR = I love AZ, like really love them. I love Kurt Warner, too. Guys
a real "man". AZ can beat them. They really can, however, I'm going
with CAR. They know how to win. AZ's just learning.

PHI @ NYG =
I'm going NYG. The question was posed in the regular sports media "does
NYG have a better team, this year than last. I have to give a
resounding YES! Last year they were ...a "Cinderella" story.
This year they're a good football team, and taken very seriously by
their opponents. ... I'm going NYG.

SAD @ PITT = Ha, this is the joke of the
weekend. And I think it's the most uneven match so far in these
playoffs. What I think will happen, Pitt's gonna smother the San Diego
offense. PITT all the way.

Then again, there is always the Stiletto Sports school of picking playoff games:

I talked myself into picking Florida just because I live in this
stupid state.  I really was leaning towards the Ravens after I broke
down the facts–and looked into Ravens’ rookie Joe Flacco. I may have to
reevaluate the rules... So I’ve decided I’m changing my pick to the Ravens. Shut up. It’s my
site and I’m pretty, I can do what I want! Now I’m 3-1 in my picks!

 So who are you picking to win?

Contributing Editor Sarah also blogs at Sarah and the Goon Squad and Draft Day Suit.

Comments

 

Divisional Playoffs

I actually think you're right about who the most likely winner of each game will be, but here is who I want to win...

 

 

Who I want to win

Alicia - fair enough. If I had to pick who I wanted to win I'd have to go with Batlimore, Carolina, The Eagles, and Pittsburgh.

 

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness
Sarah and the Goon Squad
Draft Day Suit

 

Color Me wrong

Hey! Good for Baltimore. Who would have guessed? (I guess everyone but me.)

 

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness
Sarah and the Goon Squad
Draft Day Suit

 

So far so bad.

Well, after one day of playoffs I am a whopping  0 - 2 on my predictions.

I'm glad I wasn't betting money on these games.

 

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness
Sarah and the Goon Squad
Draft Day Suit

 

After day 1

That's funny!  I think your picks were good ones (as you know since I thought you were dead on!)  I'm just SO HAPPY the Cardinals won, and I didn't really care much about the Carolina/TN game, so even though I was shocked I wasn't disappointed.

I would like Phillie to win, but I won't be too disappointed if NY wins.  They are both divisional opponents for my team (The Cowboys).  But that Charger/Steeler game is at my heart.  I'm an adopted Charger fan, living here for almost 5 years, and while I know it's going to be an uphill battle (and a bit of a miracle), I REALLY want them to win!

 

Good choices! (I'm from

Good choices! (I'm from Baltimore so I guess I'm biased).

I think it will be a battle of the birds. Eagles vs. Ravens.