NFC Champhinship Game

[FiddySicks]

damn that vote was tied before i votedand there was like 2o votes each. i picked the falcons. just like the vote, 21-20

[DarthMan]

Sorry to be such a biased prune, but

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES

Eagles have- better D- better passing attack -more experience -better coaching -Brian Westbrook -Vick is OVERRATED!

[GUINNESS]

..went to the game yesterday in Philly..had a blast... Jägermeister kept us warm grillin in the parking lot ....anyway...my heart says Philly no problem...anyone know ATL record outdoors this year..and in January the last couple..yeah I know Mr. Vick and co. went into Lambeau last year and rocked it,,but Phily is a better team than GB..

Philly 24

Atlanta 9

[TAFKAK]

Just one of those feelings we're going to see a Keystone Super Bowl. Eagles 28 Falcons 14

[PhilaLogos]

To quote Chingy: "You a hata" *points at Vandy*

Falcons are gonna walk all over the Eagles, no doubt.

And to quote Atlanta's own T.I: "What's with the rubberbands? The represent the struggle man"

Did I just take a fight against racism and turn it to sports context? Of course.

unfortunately the falcons play worse than T.I and Chingy can rap. I'd like to see Vick try to pull off a whodini with Jeremiah Trotter or Brian Dawkins in his face, he'll get his ass knocked out again. Eagles win it.

[TBGKon]

Falcons win and make the past 3 NFC champions from the NFC South

[Cyclopsis Joe]

To quote Chingy: "You a hata" *points at Vandy*

Falcons are gonna walk all over the Eagles, no doubt.

And to quote Atlanta's own T.I: "What's with the rubberbands? The represent the struggle man"

Did I just take a fight against racism and turn it to sports context? Of course.

unfortunately the falcons play worse than T.I and Chingy can rap. I'd like to see Vick try to pull off a whodini with Jeremiah Trotter or Brian Dawkins in his face, he'll get his ass knocked out again. Eagles win it.

I never claimed either could rap, I was just referencing them.

Anyway, I cannot wait for McNabb to start running around and get a facefull of Keith Brooking.

[Magus]

while i want the falcs to win, since i followed them a bit in the early 90's, they won't beat the eagles.

since i was 3 for 4 last week

im going out on a limb and saying:

eagles win and get destroyed by the Pats in the super bowl.

The falcons played a team that didn't belong in the playoffs and will get severly tested by the eagles. but so did the eagles by playing the vikes who also don't belong in the playoffs. it'll be close but philly is the better team.

[Swiss]

When the Red Sox made the Comeback and won the World Series, everything is possible.

That includes the Eagles going to the Superbowl.

[TFoA]

while i want the falcs to win, since i followed them a bit in the early 90's, they won't beat the eagles.

since i was 3 for 4 last week

im going out on a limb and saying:

eagles win and get destroyed by the Pats in the super bowl.

The falcons played a team that didn't belong in the playoffs and will get severly tested by the eagles. but so did the eagles by playing the vikes who also don't belong in the playoffs. it'll be close but philly is the better team.

The Rams came into the playoffs on a roll, arguably the hottest team besides N.O.... Now if you want to talk about teams that didnt deserve to get in, take Minnesota, who won 1 of their last 4 and somehow still made it into the playoffs at 8-8. Minnesota had the worst defense in the playoffs {that miracle they pulled in GB notwithstanding}, and the Eagles managed to put up only 27 points. I really see no reason why the Falcons should lose, other than a complete and utter meltdown, or Jay Feely misses a kick to win it

[VandyDelphia Mike]

while i want the falcs to win, since i followed them a bit in the early 90's, they won't beat the eagles.

since i was 3 for 4 last week

im going out on a limb and saying:

eagles win and get destroyed by the Pats in the super bowl.

The falcons played a team that didn't belong in the playoffs and will get severly tested by the eagles.  but so did the eagles by playing the vikes who also don't belong in the playoffs.  it'll be close but philly is the better team.

The Rams came into the playoffs on a roll, arguably the hottest team besides N.O.... Now if you want to talk about teams that didnt deserve to get in, take Minnesota, who won 1 of their last 4 and somehow still made it into the playoffs at 8-8. Minnesota had the worst defense in the playoffs {that miracle they pulled in GB notwithstanding}, and the Eagles managed to put up only 27 points. I really see no reason why the Falcons should lose, other than a complete and utter meltdown, or Jay Feely misses a kick to win it

Reasons the Falcons should lose:

1) Fourth appearance in the NFC title game for the Eagles, third in a row at home. Are they not due?

2) The Falcons are a dome team coming to a cold weather city in the playoffs. Dome teams on the road in the playoffs are something like 9-19 all time.

3) The Falcons came into Philadelphia two seasons ago and put up a whopping 6 points against the Eagles in the last Eagle win at Veterans Stadium.

4) Andy Reid is a better coach than Jim Mora. He's been their longer and has lead more teams to the playoffs in his tenure than the rookie Mora.

5) Most statistical team rankings over the regular season show the Eagles with a slight advantage over the Falcons.

6) It's not time for the Falcons to win just yet. The Falcons draw a lot of parallels to the Eagles team that went to St. Louis in 2002 to lead at halftime and take the Greatest Show on Turf to the wire. Decent defense, playmaking quarterback, tight end as main threat. Perhaps even a better running game than the Duce-centered rushing attack of the Eagles from 3 seasons ago. Nonetheless, the Rams held serve at home, and got to the Super Bowl.

Everyone wants to point at the Eagles' failings. They are there, there's no denying that. However, the Falcons will have to go through Philadelphia to get to Jacksonville. Easier said than done.

[Nick 1733]

All I have to say is I seriously don't think the Eagles can beat Atlanta without Terrell Owens.

[Cyclopsis Joe]

Everyone wants to point at the Eagles' failings. They are there, there's no denying that. However, the Falcons will have to go through Philadelphia to get to Jacksonville. Easier said than done.

I do believe that's been obvious since Sunday.

[See Red]

Reasons the Falcons should lose:

1) Fourth appearance in the NFC title game for the Eagles, third in a row at home. Are they not due?

2) The Falcons are a dome team coming to a cold weather city in the playoffs. Dome teams on the road in the playoffs are something like 9-19 all time.

3) The Falcons came into Philadelphia two seasons ago and put up a whopping 6 points against the Eagles in the last Eagle win at Veterans Stadium.

4) Andy Reid is a better coach than Jim Mora. He's been their longer and has lead more teams to the playoffs in his tenure than the rookie Mora.

5) Most statistical team rankings over the regular season show the Eagles with a slight advantage over the Falcons.

6) It's not time for the Falcons to win just yet. The Falcons draw a lot of parallels to the Eagles team that went to St. Louis in 2002 to lead at halftime and take the Greatest Show on Turf to the wire. Decent defense, playmaking quarterback, tight end as main threat. Perhaps even a better running game than the Duce-centered rushing attack of the Eagles from 3 seasons ago. Nonetheless, the Rams held serve at home, and got to the Super Bowl.

Everyone wants to point at the Eagles' failings. They are there, there's no denying that. However, the Falcons will have to go through Philadelphia to get to Jacksonville. Easier said than done.

1) That means nothing. The Bills were due to win a Super Bowl by their 4th one, never happened. This team has failed to show up to big game after big game the last 3 years. Why has that changed? All I heard after T.O. got hurt was "Even without him, were still the same team that went to 3 straight NFC Championship games"; well, without T.O., you're the same team that lost 3 straight NFC Championship games.

2) Means nothing. Atlanta was a domed team heading into Lambeau Field 2 years ago with all sorts of stats working against them. Atlanta won the game handily.

3) Atlanta is a better team than 2 years ago. They were ALSO a wildcard team, and were the last seed in the NFC. Things change.

4) Andy Reid Super Bowl Appearances = 0 Jim Mora Jr. Super Bowl Appearances = 0. In the stat that matters, it looks like a draw, to me.

5) How about the ones that will matter this weekend?

Atlanta has a better run offense, and Atlanta has a better run defense. In fact, Atlanta will probably make Donovan McNabb beat them, like Carolina did last year and Tampa Bay did 2 years ago. Check the stats for that game and go ahead and tell me how that went.

6) ... But the Eagles draw no parallels to the Rams team that beat them in 2002. The Rams had an offensive system that no team could even pray to stop and a defense that could get the job done. The Eagles have a defense that can get the job done against the pass, but falls in the middle of the league against the run.

And don't kid yourself, the Falcons run game is better than the Eagles run game of 2002. About 30 YPG better, actually.

Also -- the Bucs still had to go through Philly. The Panthers still had to go through Philly. Both teams did.

[Nick 1733]

Reasons the Falcons should lose:

1)  Fourth appearance in the NFC title game for the Eagles, third in a row at home.  Are they not due?

2) The Falcons are a dome team coming to a cold weather city in the playoffs.  Dome teams on the road in the playoffs are something like 9-19 all time.

3)  The Falcons came into Philadelphia two seasons ago and put up a whopping 6 points against the Eagles in the last Eagle win at Veterans Stadium.

4)  Andy Reid is a better coach than Jim Mora.  He's been their longer and has lead more teams to the playoffs in his tenure than the rookie Mora.

5)  Most statistical team rankings over the regular season show the Eagles with a slight advantage over the Falcons.

6)  It's not time for the Falcons to win just yet.  The Falcons draw a lot of parallels to the Eagles team that went to St. Louis in 2002 to lead at halftime and take the Greatest Show on Turf to the wire.  Decent defense, playmaking quarterback, tight end as main threat.  Perhaps even a better running game than the Duce-centered rushing attack of the Eagles from 3 seasons ago.  Nonetheless, the Rams held serve at home, and got to the Super Bowl.

Everyone wants to point at the Eagles' failings.  They are there, there's no denying that.  However, the Falcons will have to go through Philadelphia to get to Jacksonville.  Easier said than done.

1) That means nothing. The Bills were due to win a Super Bowl by their 4th one, never happened. This team has failed to show up to big game after big game the last 3 years. Why has that changed? All I heard after T.O. got hurt was "Even without him, were still the same team that went to 3 straight NFC Championship games"; well, without T.O., you're the same team that lost 3 straight NFC Championship games.

2) Means nothing. Atlanta was a domed team heading into Lambeau Field 2 years ago with all sorts of stats working against them. Atlanta won the game handily.

3) Atlanta is a better team than 2 years ago. They were ALSO a wildcard team, and were the last seed in the NFC. Things change.

4) Andy Reid Super Bowl Appearances = 0 Jim Mora Jr. Super Bowl Appearances = 0. In the stat that matters, it looks like a draw, to me.

5) How about the ones that will matter this weekend?

Atlanta has a better run offense, and Atlanta has a better run defense. In fact, Atlanta will probably make Donovan McNabb beat them, like Carolina did last year and Tampa Bay did 2 years ago. Check the stats for that game and go ahead and tell me how that went.

6) ... But the Eagles draw no parallels to the Rams team that beat them in 2002. The Rams had an offensive system that no team could even pray to stop and a defense that could get the job done. The Eagles have a defense that can get the job done against the pass, but falls in the middle of the league against the run.

And don't kid yourself, the Falcons run game is better than the Eagles run game of 2002. About 30 YPG better, actually.

Also -- the Bucs still had to go through Philly. The Panthers still had to go through Philly. Both teams did.

THAT IS ALL

[TFoA]

Ditto, and I can't believe that after we ran all over St. Louis, to St. Louis, back from St. Louis, then back to St. Louis, then back FROM St. Louis AGAIN, you have nerve enough to say that the Eagles running game is better... *walks away in disgust*

POST 900,

[VandyDelphia Mike]

Chiefs 56, Falcons 10. 8 rushing touchdowns allowed.

Bucs 27, Falcons 0. Vick neutralized by the Tampa defense.

And those are just the road games. There's also the stellar home loss to the Lions, and the 6-3 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals, also at home.

Those games happened. No reason to believe they can't happen again.

The Eagles responded to their one loss in a game where their regulars played. That was at Pittsburgh. Compare the run defense of the Eagles after that game to the one from the games before. The adjustment has been made. They played more than half the season with a weaker run defense than the one that had Trotter in the middle.

Donovan's lowest moments have occurred in NFC championship games against Tampa and Carolina. The injury two season ago certainly did nothing to help him. He also suffered a rib injury in the first half of the Carolina loss, and was rendered ineffective from that point. Thus, if Atlanta injures McNabb, then sure, I would like the Falcons' chances more as well.

So now the question remains ... which defensive coordinator has a bigger task on his hands? Ed Donatell, who has to contend with McNabb, Westbrook, and the rest of the Eagle offense (who in the Minnesota win showed that they are far from impotent minus Owens), or Jim Johnson, with Vick, Dunn, and Crumpler being the biggest Falcon threats? Both face enviable tasks. About the only thing that can be guaranteed is that there will not be a soft spot in the middle of the Falcon D on fourth and 26 if the Eagles are trailing by 3 late. We have to believe he's learned something.

Neither team was seriously challenged in the divisional round. It shows the value of the bye week and posting the top regular season records in conference.

For the Eagles to lay another egg on Sunday would be severly disappointing. To count on it ... I think would be questionable. Bad teams don't sustain the Eagles' success over the last four seasons. It just seems inevitable that a team this good would have to perform well in the championship game sooner or later. I can understand, though, the opposite reasoning.

[STL FANATIC]

Ditto, and I can't believe that after we ran all over St. Louis, to St. Louis, back from St. Louis, then back to St. Louis, then back FROM St. Louis AGAIN, you have nerve enough to say that the Eagles running game is better... *walks away in disgust*

POST 900,

It wasn't because of your running game. Trust me.

[See Red]

For the Eagles to lay another egg on Sunday would be severly disappointing.  To count on it ... I think would be questionable.  Bad teams don't sustain the Eagles' success over the last four seasons.  It just seems inevitable that a team this good would have to perform well in the championship game sooner or later.  I can understand, though, the opposite reasoning.

I'm not saying they're a bad team. But my previous point still stands -- the Bills aren't a bad team and they lost 4 straight Super Bowls. Just because you're a good team doesn't mean you're a good team in big games, and the Eagles have consistently proven that they don't show up to the ones that count the most. And they have a QB that has yet to prove themselves in a big game, and 2 WR's who are not capable of being a teams only passing threat.

Let's break this next part down...

So now the question remains ... which defensive coordinator has a bigger task on his hands?  Ed Donatell, who has to contend with McNabb, Westbrook, and the rest of the Eagle offense

First off, McNabb, Westbrook, and... who? Pinkston? Mitchell? Donatell will certainly be stressing himself all week thinking of a way to stop Pinkston and Freddy Mitchell.

Now this is the part that killed me.

...(who in the Minnesota win showed that they are far from impotent minus Owens)

\

By Minnesota... you mean, 5th worst Defense in the NFL, Minnesota? Right? Or would you be refering to a different Minnesota team?

If you can base the Eagles offense on that one game... hate to break it to you, but Westbrook only had what... 70 yards?

Give me the best rushing offense in the league over a team without any real standout offensive identity any day.

[Roger Clemente]

Two words why the Eagles will lose:

IT'S PHILADELPHIA!

When's the last time any team from Philadelphia won the last game of the playoffs?

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.