That was some olde tyme football in both the Ravens Titans game and the Eagles Giants match up. That is the way playoff football is supposed look and feel. In both games, you could tell the players, coaches and probably owners did not like each other. The controlled violence of professional football was on display.
At certain points in both games, it seemed as though it was out of control violence. In both contests, one defense took the opposing team out of the game. In Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans, it was the Ravens defense causing turnovers that cost the Titans the game. In East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the Giants (and the Jets) it was the Eagles defense that would not give a yard or two on fourth down attempts by the Giants.
Both of these games seemed to reinforce the notion that defense wins championships. Nobody has won anything yet. All the teams in the playoffs, save the champion, will lose their last game of the year.
Onto the Cardinals of Phoenix, Arizona (Glendale, AZ) and the Steelers of Pittsburgh (they actually play in Pittsburgh, how strange). The Cardinals are the feel good story of the playoffs. Already they have won two playoff games. That is a career for the Cardinals. They have not won anything since the Roosevelt administration. Franklin, not Teddy.
The Cards have a Super Bowl MVP on the roster. Kurt Warner won that MVP trophy about 10 years ago when he was with the Rams. Back then, they had a powerful offense that was known as the “Greatest Show on Turf” which is a play on words with the Ringling Bros. “Greatest Show on Earth”. Well Kurt is back with three fantastic receivers and fairly good running back. This is a team that is an offensive circus.
The Steelers (or Stillers as they are locally known in the Pittsburgh area) are a tough gang. They are lead by the defense. On Sunday, it was the offense that put up 35 points and played keep away from the Chargers for the 3rd quarter. The Bolts only had one offensive play in the quarter. From this safe distance, the Steelers look like the best team left in the tournament.
The Eagles at Cards is not the best match up of the year. Not too many folks have the Cardinals picked to win. On the other coast, the Ravens at the Steelers is a must watch game. Real football, played outside in the cold, with two teams that can’t stand each other.