Football Picks

I won't see too much of the Conference championship games on Sunday. And it's not that I'm pouting that the Patriots are on the outside looking in. Actually, I will be on a plane, returning from North Carolina. Tomorrow I am going to the Georgetown-Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Yes, I am one of the world's biggest Duke haters but I have a connection to one of Duke's players and so I will be going to Durham to see a game in Cameron, which is like seeing the Yankees at the old Yankee Stadium, the Celtics at the original Garden, or the Packers at Lambeau Stadium. As an added bonus, my UNC Tarheels are home on Saturday night against Miami, so I might be able to catch a game at the Dean Dome. I'll let you know On to the picks... All picks are against the spread and home team is in capitals. NFC Championship Game ARIZONA (+3) over Philadelphia Not many people believe the Cardinals can win this game but even as good as the Eagles have played the last three weeks, I'm still not ready to pronounce a team led by Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb -- two men infamous for struggling on the biggest stage -- as favorites on the road. If the Eagles do win, it will be because their defense shuts down a potent Cardinals offense. Defensive coordiantor Jim Johnson (who should be an NFL head coach by now) will be blitzing Kurt Warner all night so his defensive backs need to shut down Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, and (if healthy) Anquan Boldin just long enough so his front seven can pound on Warner. It won't be easy but it will decide if Philly gets to the Super Bowl. AFC Championship Game Baltimore (+4.5) over PITTSBURGH Maybe it's just because I hate the Steelers (other than Hines Ward, who would look great in a Patriots uniform) but I think 4.5 points is a lot to give in a game that will be such a physical battle. I think the Steelers will win the game -- mainly because I don't think the Ravens offense will succeed against the vaunted Pittsburgh defense -- but the Ravens defense will make this game decided by no more than a field goal. Last Week: 2 - 2 Season: 130 - 120 - 9