Steelers, Eagles picked to win conference championships
When the New York Giants and New England Patriots squared off for the Lombardi Trophy last year, it was the most-watched Super Bowl in history -- 97.5 million viewers.
This year, the audience could be even bigger. Just think: All those people, just to watch a state championship.
OK, so the upstart Arizona Cardinals and rookie-led Baltimore Ravens could make it to Tampa. But there’s a good chance it will be the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, franchises that once briefly merged during World War II to form the “Steagles.”
Heading into Sunday’s conference championship games, both Pennsylvania teams are favored, and -- despite facing red-hot opponents -- are well-positioned to make it to the Super Bowl.
On to the picks:
Philadelphia at Arizona: The Cardinals are on a dream run, and their defense had a spectacular game at Carolina. They have an experienced hand in Kurt Warner and the best receiver in football in Larry Fitzgerald. Still, this is a team Philadelphia beat with ease during the regular season, and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson usually game-plans even better the second time around. Pick: Philadelphia.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: To beat the Ravens, the Steelers have to beat the law of averages. After all, it entails knocking off a familiar opponent three times in the same season. Both teams have phenomenal defenses. The difference will be the quarterbacks. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger -- playing before the home crowd -- will outshine Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, even though Flacco hasn’t looked like a rookie for most of the season. Pick: Pittsburgh.
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