Football...Football...Football

This time of the year is bittersweet. While the NFL is wrapping up and the fact that I won't be able to watch football until August hits me at this time, there are the NFL Playoffs that usually provide some awesome games. This weekend was no exception to the rule.

The weekend kicked off with the Ravens and the Titans. The Ravens have an insane defense and a lot of people picked them to upset the Titans. The Ravens offense didn't show up, but it didn't matter. The defense did enough to keep Tennessee off the board. The funny thing about this game is that it reminded me of a Vikings playoff game. The Titans played the role of the Vikings in the fact that they kept getting in position to score, but then would make a horrific mistake. Whether it was an interception or a fumble, the Titans couldn't get it done. The loss of Chris Johnson in the 2nd half also hurt the Titans. If Johnson were able to play, could the Titans have won? There's a good chance, but that didn't happen.

The 2nd game was an absolute shocker. Jake Delhomme dropped a Texas star on the Cardinals and they destroyed Carolina at home. To go with 5 INTs, Delhomme even lost a fumble. The Carolina defense didn't do any favors as Larry Fitzgerald went off. Everybody ripped the Cardinals coming into the playoffs but now they are one win away from the Super Bowl. The Cardinals haven't been in a conference championship game since the merger so the fans of the franchise deserve this.

Game 3 was a good game as well. The Eagles dethroned the Giants 23-11. The Eagles are on fire right now, but I think it had more to do with the Giants. Since Plaxico Burress self destructed, the Giants weren't themselves on the offensive side of the ball. The Giants need a game changer at wide receiver and while Steve Smith and Dominik Hixon are good receivers, they aren't ready to be "the guy". The further Philly goes, the less chance the Vikings or anybody else has of landing Donovan McNabb.

The final game was once again dictated by defense as the Steelers defeated the Chargers 35-24. The Chargers should be optimistic after this game however, as they will get a good draft pick and have a healthy Shawne Merriman and LaDanian Tomlinson next season. As for Pitt, they were able to hold the Chargers to one offensive play in the third quarter. That play was an interception by Phillip Rivers. That's insane.

So looking ahead at next weekend, the Cardinals will host the Eagles. A lot of people may count the Cardinals out, but the game is in Glendale. The Falcons had problems with the crowd noise in the wild card round of the playoffs and their fans have experienced one home playoff game since the team moved to Arizona. These teams are going to be rabid. I would love to see the Cardinals go to the Super Bowl, but I think Philly gets it done and continues their hot streak.

If you like blood and professional wrestling, the AFC Championship is your kind of game. This game may end 6-3. Both teams hate each other. They hate each other so much that they put bounties on the opposing teams players. This game will be nothing short of a steel cage match to go to the Super Bowl. I picked Pittsburgh to win the Super Bowl when the playoffs started, and I'm still taking them. The Steelers get into the head of the Ravens and they will use it to their advantage at Heinz Field.