It’s a Baltimore-Philadelphia Super Bowl.
Wait, maybe it’s the Coal Bowl of Pittsburgh-Philadelphia. There’s even a chance of an east-west game if Arizona continues its amazing run.
The NFL is down to its final four that Nostradamus wouldn’t have picked. You can bet your Terrible Towel that nobody has an Arizona futures slip in Las Vegas ready to cash. Not many would have taken Philadelphia or Arizona three weeks ago, either.
Baltimore is my AFC pick because of kicker Matt Stover. His last-second field goal beat Tennessee last week. He’s simply money. This looks like another 13-9 game only this time Baltimore reverses that December score versus Pittsburgh.
It sure must frost the Redskins to see their neighboring team close to a second Super Bowl championship during owner Dan Snyder’s tenure. The Ravens are even doing it with a rookie quarterback and first-year coach along with Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither, whom the Redskins could have stolen for a fourth-round pick in the 2007 supplemental draft if they were only paying attention to a local player.
But it must really rankle the Redskins to see Philadelphia and Arizona meet for the NFC title when Washington was a combined 3-0 versus the pair this season. The Redskins were the only team to beat the Eagles over the last seven weeks and it was decisive. If Snyder really knew football, he would have hired Arizona assistant head coach Russ Grimm instead of Zorn. Grimm was only one of the Hogs and assistant coach in Washington when Snyder arrived.
It’s real easy to pick Philadelphia over Arizona for the NFC crown, especially when the Eagles beat the Cards 48-20 to start their playoff push. But, Arizona has simply crushed Atlanta and Carolina in the postseason. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner is seeking his second Super Bowl ring and a place in Canton. While Philadelphia reaches its fifth NFC Championship game in 10 years, don’t forget the Eagles only advanced once.
Ask one simple question — would you rather have Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb or Warner? Frankly, I’ll take Warner. They’re both great passers, but Warner makes fewer mistakes and more downfield plays. This game probably comes down to turnovers so Arizona gets the nod.
Baltimore won the Super Bowl in Tampa in 2000. If the Ravens reach the title game in Tampa on Feb. 1, they’ll do it again. Redskins fans will endure six months of Ravens fans’ taunts. If you think Dallas fans are insufferable, just wait for this. And you know what — Washingtonians will just have to shut up and take it.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
