NFL teams can’t catch them or control them; they can only hope to contain them.
I am talking about the quarterback battle that will take place this weekend between Pro Bowl quarterbacks Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb.
The NFC championship game will be one of the most exciting in recent years. Vick and McNabb both have the desire to make it to the Super Bowl to silence the critics and enter the upper class of NFL greats.
The Philadelphia Eagles ended the regular season with a 13-3 record and domination of the NFC East. This is the fourth consecutive year that Philly fans have been spoiled with the treat of the Eagles being in the NFC title game.
Cleveland fans only wish for a competitive record, while Eagles’ fans complain about loosing the NFC title three years in a row.
Donovan McNabb needs to have a better game than the Eagles’ last title game against the Panthers and produce points with his feet and not rely on his arm. McNabb relied on his arm until Terrell Owens got hurt this season and then he turned to his playmaking ability.
The Eagles have such a dynamic offense and so many weapons without Owens.
Brian Westbrook is the most underrated running back in the league and the Eagles’ offensive line can plow through the best D-line schemes. The Eagles’ formula to success is running the ball. If they can keep Michael Vick off the field on Sunday and win the possession battle the Eagles will make the trip to Jacksonville for the Super Bowl.
Another factor helping the Eagles is the weather.
Philadelphia will most definitely be very cold and wet while the Falcons are not used to these conditions because they play in a Dome. To say the Eagles are a lock to migrate south to Jacksonville for the Super Bowl is a far reaching claim.
Atlanta ended their regular season with an 11-5 record and total control of the NFC South.
The Falcons are not only Vick; they have nicknamed their offensive weapons “DVD” referring to Warrick Dunn, Vick and T.J. Duckett.
Dunn is the flashy speed back that can break tackles, and Duckett is a Bettis clone.On top of this, Vick is the best quarterback in the league, hands down. He’s so fast that linebackers can’t catch him and his pass accuracy allows receivers to run tighter in-routes.
The Falcons need wide receiver Peerless Price to step up and take some of the pressure off Vick.
The Falcons’ offense is so hard to control because it feeds off the defense. The defense is brilliant its base system is the 3-4 and this can trick offenses.
Linebacker Keith Brooking and rookie corner DeAngelo Hall anchor this unit. The Falcons’ formula for success is to breakdown the Eagles defense with their West Coast scheme.
Keeping the Eagles’ defense guessing will put the pressure on the three Pro Bowl defensive backs for Philly.
The main thing going for the Falcons is the quote “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” She hasn’t sung yet and the Eagles will be nervous and concerned of another quote “history always repeats itself.”
Who would you choose between a 15-0 rookie of the year or a two-time Super Bowl MVP? Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots will collide this year for the second time. The score is Big Ben one and Brady zero.
Pittsburgh had the best record in the NFL at 15-1.
The Steelers lucked out this year in the draft as they took Ben Roethlisberger 10th overall from Miami.
Big Ben has shattered rookie quarterback records and will look to become the first rookie quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl. He has a great supporting cast on both sides of the ball.
It must stink to throw to Burress, Ward and Randle El and have stud running backs Bettis and Staley. Is my sarcasm evident?
I don’t think I mentioned the “Steel Curtain” defense that has been rejuvenated. There is too much talent and depth on this Steelers team to not give them a chance to knock off the defending champion Patriots.
The formula for success for the Steelers is stick to their strengths, running the ball and playing “Blitzburgh” defense.
If they get to flashy and rely on Big Ben to pass the ball, they will have a rough time with the experienced Patriots’ defense.
The Patriots ended the year 14-2. Their big mess ups this year came against the Steelers when they lost 34-20.
This loss sparked something in the Patriots and after the Steelers loss they went 8-1. The Patriots are looking to become the new dynasty, like the Steelers in the 70’s, 49ers the 80’s and Cowboys 90’s.
If the Patriots reach the Super Bowl it would be the third time in four years.
The Patriots have arguably the two best coordinators to go along with the best coach in the NFL.
Romeo Crennel, the defensive coordinator, Charlie Weis as the offensive coordinator and Bill Belichick as head coach. This is the best overall staff in football.
The running game for the Patriots has improved greatly with Corey Dillon and the emergence of Kevin Faulk. The Patriots will make a strong attempt to run on the Steelers.
If running the ball fails the game will depend on Tom Brady.
Whoever ends up in the Super Bowl, the game is destined to be exciting. The most intriguing matchup to me is Atlanta and New England. This weekend its either put up or shut up for NFL powerhouses.
