Super Bowl XLIII
Arizona Cardinals (12-7) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4)
6:00 PM EST
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL (NBC)

It's Super Bowl Sunday!!  I know the Broncos aren't in the game, but true football fans look forward to this day like children dream of Christmas.  Over-indulgence is the name of the game - over the top commercials, over the top pre-game, over the top halftime shows - the NFL at it's oveer the top best.

I mentioned on this week's MHR Radio that I liked the Cardinals, and I still do.  There is just something about Kurt Warner and that set of Wide Receivers.  The Cardinals have always had alot of talent, you have to when you draft that high for so many years.  What they needed was a plan, and confidence.  Ken Whisenhunt has given them both.  Besides, who knows that vaunted Steelers defense better than Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, two former Steelers offensive coaches that were passed over for the Steelers job??

This game should be a classic, one that comes down to the final quarter.  Sometimes great indiduval efforts by great players overcome a better football team.  Larry Fitzgerald will do that today, leading to a shocking end to what has been an upside down 2008 NFL Season.

Final Prediction -- Arizona 27 - Pittsburgh 26

This is an open thread for the big day.  Any topic is up for grabs.  Where (or if) you'll be watching; the delicious spread you'll be devouring; who you're pulling for; your game prediction; is John Madden immortal?; favorite Super Bowl memories; anything and everything is open for discussion today.  We won't get another national holiday for a couple of months, folks, so enjoy Super Bowl Sunday while it lasts!

The 2009 NFL Playoffs continue this afternoon with the AFC and NFC Championship games - and once two winners are decided, Super Bowl XLIII's participants will be decided.  So let's hear it, Broncos fans - who's going to the Super Bowl?  Today's matchups promise to, at the very least, be highly entertaining...

  
Arizona Cardinals (11-7) vs Philadelphia Eagles (11-6-1)
3:00 PM EST, FOX
Cardinals coverage: Revenge of the Birds
Eagles coverage: Bleeding Green Nation

Can the Cardinals really rise above 60 years of futility and get to the Super Bowl?  The only NFC team never to have played in a Conference Championship Game sinve 1970 has finally gotten there and they get to host the game to boot.  Their opponent?  A team that has been to 5 such games in the past 10 years alone.  There's something about the Cardinals team, however, which may remind some of another team Kurt Warner lead to the Super Bowl.  He didn't win NFL mVP, but I'm sure he prefers this team opportunity more than individual praise.

For the Eagles, Donovan McNabb has his own demons to excercize.  Benched earlier in the year, McNabb has come back with a vengeance and might be playing the best football of his career.

There's something about the Cardinals team, however, which may remind some of another team Kurt Warner lead to the Super Bowl.  He didn't win NFL MVP, but I'm sure he prefers this team opportunity more than individual praise.  I can't believe it, but I like Cards to put the cherry on top of what has been the wildest NFL season in years.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 23, Eagles 20

  
Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4) vs Baltimore Ravens (13-5)
6:30 PM EST, CBS
Steelers coverage: Behind the Steel Curtain
Ravens coverage: Baltimore Beatdown

Now this is old fashioned, hard-nosed football at its best.  The Ravens and Steelers, for lack of a better term, hate each other.  The Ravens have had the Steelers beat twice this season only to see Big Ben and the black and gold overcome and win late.  Now the Ravens, who have played 2 physical playoffs games already, not to mention the fact they haven't had a week off since early September, are physicallly ailing.  LB Terrell Suggs is suffering from what might be a severe shoulder injury, and the age on this defense just might beginning to crack a bit.  The Ravens were dominated by the Titans last week, but forced 3 turnovers.  If the Steelers can protect the football, they WILL win the game.

PREDICTION: Steelers 23, Ravens 10

Predicted Super Bowl XLIII matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Arizona Cardinals

Now it's your turn.  While I sit here and realize that my predictions will likely result in a Ravens vs Eagles Super Bowl, you have a chance to one-up me and gain some bragging rights if you post your predictions as well.  Let's hear it!

The second day of Wild Card Weekend begins at 1PM EST today; there's nothing more we can do save putting my prediction curse to yet another test.  Here we go...

  
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)
1:00 PM EST, CBS
Ravens coverage: Baltimore Beatdown
Dolphins coverage: The Phinsider

I don't really like either of these teams, but my dislike of the Dolphins trumps my annoyance with the Ravens, especially since Brian Billick was shown the door.  I will say this, both of these teams proved that you can succeed immediately after making a coaching change.  That should make us Broncos fans feel good.  In a twist of irony, it was the Ravens that gave the Dolphins their only win of 2007.  Now the two teams are playing for the right to move on in the 2008 NFL Playoffs. I'd usually take the home team in these situations, but I hate the Dolphins....

Prediction: RAVENS 17, DOLPHINS 9

  
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
4:30 PM EST, FOX
Eagles coverage: Bleeding Green Nation
Vikings coverage: Daily Norseman

Can Brad Childress, who has done everything possible to sabotage the Vikings this season, really out-coach his mentor Andy Reid in a playoff game?  Can Tarvaris Jackson really beat Donovan McNabb?  Can the good fortune the Eagles received the final week of the regular season really just lead to a one and done?  No way.  I'll take the Eagles to win on the road.

Prediction: Eagles 21 - Vikings 17

The NFL's Wild Card Playoffs begin at 4:30 PM EST this afternoon! Obviously the Broncos  aren't a part of it, but we have our own bit of excitement to deal with.  That doesn't mean we should ignore the football happening on the field. Consider this your open thread for today's games, your predictions for today's games, and anything else playoffs-related.

  
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
4:30 PM EST, NBC
Falcons coverage: The Falcoholic
Cardinals coverage: Revenge of the Birds

The Broncos beat the Falcons, in Atlanta even, but there is nothing disputing just how good of a football team this is.  Matt Ryan is the only reason Ryan Clady isn't Rookie of the Year and Michael Turner showed exactly what the right Free Agent acquisition can do for a football team.  The Cardinals are high flying, but extrememly one dimensional.  They are playing their first home playoff game in 100 years, and haven't won a playoff gaem since Jake Plummer beat the Cowboys 10 years ago.  Final Verdict: The Falcons have great balance on both sides of the ball.  Add that to the fact that what appeared to be Jason Elam heading to the home town team has turned into what could be a deep run in the playoffs ang you have to root for the Falcons, right?.

Prediction: FALCONS 24, CARDINALS 20

  
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8)
8:00 PM EST, NBC
Colts coverage: Stampede Blue
Chargers coverage: Bolts from the Blue

The Broncos didn't win the battle against the Chargers, but it is Denver that could be the reason the Chargers are one and done in the playoffs.  LaDainian Tomlinson has a torn tendon near his groin and is a game time decision.  Antonio Gates is also hobbled and if the Chargers are to have any chance in beating the Cotls they'll need to score. 

For Indy, the Tony Dungy watch is once again on, and Peyton Manning is playing arguably the best ball of his career.  Plus, I consider BigBlueShoe a good friend.  I'll pull for the Colts, and believe they'll go on the road and beat Phyllis and the Chargers.

Prediction: Colts 38, Chargers 21

Hat tip to Buffalo Rumblings for the preview piece.

Start of 4th Quarter

Start of 3rd Quarter

Start of 2nd Quarter

BRONCOS STATS

CHARGERS STATS

GAME INACTIVES

GAMEDAY INACTIVES

DENVER

20         Marlon McCree           S

26         Jack Williams             CB

37         Alex Haynes               RB

38         Andrew Pinnock          FB

53         Niko Koutouvides        LB

72         Pat Murray                 G

85         Chad Mustard             TE

94         Jarvis Moss                DE

SAN DIEGO

6          Charlie Whitehurst      3QB

29         Michael Bennett          RB

34         Billy Latsko                FB

59         Brandon Siler              ILB

67         Kynan Forney             G

75         Corey Clark                T

80         Malcom Floyd             WR

98         Ian Scott                    DT

EXPECTED STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

DENVER

#36 Josh Barrett starts at FS for #20 Marlon McCree

SAN DIEGO

#22 Jacob Hester starts at FB for #35 Mike Tolbert

OTHER NOTES

DENVER

#30 RB Cory Boyd (6-1, 218, R, South Carolina) was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Tuesday.

#37 RB Alex Haynes (5-10, 230, 2^nd Yr., Central Florida) was signed as a free agent on Tuesday.

SAN DIEGO

NONE