NFL: 2009 Conference Championship predictions

2008 Season Predictions Performance: 154-101
2009 Playoffs Predictions Performance: 5-3

Philadelphia Eagles (11-6-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (11-7)

Pick: Eagles

We have serious concerns about Westbrook's health. Besides that, the Eagles have been locked into a zone. After smashing the Cowboys at home to get into the playoffs, they have controlled their games on the road against the Vikings and Giants. We also are skeptical about the claims that all of the sudden, Arizona has a strong defense. It was less than a month ago that the Cardinals lost 47-7 to the Patriots. In the game before that, they lost at home 35-14 to the sometimes anemic Vikings.

Outcome: Cardinals 32 Eagles 25 - Eagles almost come back from 18-point halftime deficit, but Cardinals move on to Super Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens (13-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4)

Pick: Steelers

In our week 14 write-up of the Steelers/Ravens match-up, we wrote:

Great defensive battles in the regular season are 'ugly.' Great defensive battles in the playoffs are epic.

In that game, the Steelers won 13-9 on a 'controversial' last second touchdown pass. But that regular game was brutal to watch. This game that will be played with the same amount of offensive ineptitude (and stellar defense) will be epic.

The Steelers will need to take advantage of that 12th man to try to rattle rookie Shane Falco AKA Joe Flacco. If they let the Ravens stick around, Ed Reed could come up with a momentum changing interception late in the game.

Outcome: Steelers 23 Ravens 14 - Roethlisberger, the 'Playground Quarterback' reasserts the Steelers dominance over Ravens.

Picture: Baltimore defensive players, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis hold hands.