Oh Well,

Oh well, the Giants thrill ride was fun while it lasted. I would have loved to have gone to the Super Bowl again but this year it was not to be. It does not take away, however, the joy of last season.

Looking at the four games this weekend, beginning with the Giants, of course, they Giants were simply not as good as the Eagles. The Eagles offense and defense both played better than the Giants. Ultimately McNabb dealt with the wind better than Manning did and Andy Reid benefitted by Tom Coughlin’s not taking the wind into account. The Giants won the toss and made a choice that meant that they were going to be playing into a stiff wind in the fourth quarter.

But there was something else. My daughter and I watched a replay of the NFL Channels show on last year’s Super Bowl. They showed highlighted plays that got the Giants there. In one clip after another there was a big play by Plaxico Burress. He was often the guy who made something out of nothing and his presence in the field always kept two defenders busy. He let his team down in a big way this year and they really did need him in the stretch. It’s obvious that if he is gone for good, they will need a big play receiver.

The game was not a real surprise. The Eagles and the Giants are very evenly matched and both play tough physical games, and their games are usually close and it is a coin toss as to who will win.

The other NFC game, however, was a stunner. The Cardinals really embarrassed the Panthers. I have always felt that Jake Delhomme seemed to have some confusion on which jerseys his players were wearing. His best receivers were Cardinal defenders and he threw 5 picks. Warner did cool off, but he started the game hot and the Cardinals just played very, very well.

If the NFC Championship game was going to be played in Philadelphia I would think that the Eagles were a sure thing. In the desert with the Cardinals playing their best football of the season, this game will be interesting. Great defense usually beats great offense, but the Cards have a and amazing air show going on these days and a clever coach. It will be interesting. I’d still predict the Eagles, but I could be wrong. At this moment, however, I think that the Eagles are the best team in the NFL.

In the AFC the game between the Titans and the Ravens was a duel between a veteran quarterback and a rookie quarterback. The Titans had the savvy veteran and were at home. However, three turnovers in the red zone did them in and Flacco did a superb job for the Ravens. Rookie coach and rookie quarterback are bringing them to audition for the big show. This team is going to be formidable for anyone.

There are, of course, the Steelers. Big Ben is not my favorite guy in the world, but he did come up big for the Steelers and they play fierce and tough football. They pounded the hard charging Chargers into the ground time and time again.

It is hard to bet against the Steelers in this game. Home team, veteran quarterback, and a veteran coach. I know that the Panthers overcame this once, but the Titans are not the Steelers.

My prediction is that it will be a Keystone State Super Bowl.