“The greatest show on turf” was certainly rolling last week, but not with their usual offensive attack. Instead, the Rams relied on their defense to pick apart the hapless Packers.
However, this week they will need their offense to be at its sharpest, because the Eagles bring with them one of the fastest and most intimidating defenses in the league. That defense brings with it the best chance of an upset in this weekend’s conference finals.
The Eagles and Rams met in week one of the season. The Rams won 20-17; it was the third lowest scoring game of the season. The Eagles were able to sack Rams quarterback Kurt Warner four times and also caused three fumbles to go along with their two interceptions.
While those results offer Eagles fans hope, the Rams still feel good about the result. Despite numerous turnovers and sacks, the Rams were able to pull out the victory. They will also be back in their dome where the crowd will give them another advantage.
However, the Rams are facing an even tougher Eagles defense that has been playing its best football in the later stages of the season and has done a tremendous job in its last four post-season contests. Over the last eight regular season games and first two playoff games the Eagles have only been allowing their opposition to score an average of 12 points per game.
The Eagles defense has surrendered just one touchdown, a 47-yard reverse by Bears WR Ahmad Merritt, in four playoff games over the last two years, and after recording just 14 interceptions in 16 regular season games, the Eagles have totaled seven in two playoff wins.
Speedy rush end Hugh Douglas is certain to put a few good shots on Kurt Warner. Douglas eliminated Bears’ quarterback Jim Miller from last week’s game when throwing a block after an interception and later sacked backup Shane Matthews.
The Rams defense, on the other hand, will be out to prove that they are just as strong a unit as their offensive counterparts. Despite last week’s amazing performance against future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, much of this weekend’s hype has been focused on the Rams offense.
One of the key matchups in this week’s game will be the Rams’ ability to stop last year’s MVP Donovan McNabb from using his mobility to run and pass his way to a victory. Last week, McNabb threw for 262 yards while scrambling for 37 more against what had been one of the league’s better defenses in Chicago. He has thrown four touchdowns in the post season and is playing his best football of the season.
The Rams will attempt to keep McNabb in the pocket with a more controlled pass rush so he can’t get to the edge where he can use his abilities as a runner or a passer. Some of the Eagles biggest plays this post season have come on plays when McNabb was pressured out of the pocket.
If the Eagles turn the ball over as the Packers did they will fare no better, but if their offense can maintain possession and keep their defense fresh they may have the best chance of matching up with the Rams’ offensive speed and upsetting the Rams.
In the AFC the No. 1 and 2 seeds meet up in a showdown of this season’s most surprising teams. The emergence of Kordell Stewart and Tom Brady as top-notch NFL quarterbacks has been the common factor in each of these teams reemergence as title contenders.
Each team features a tough running attack and a very solid passing game to go with it. Despite the similarities in their offensive game plans, though, the Steelers are the clear favorite in this game for several reasons.
Though the flash in the Steelers offense is provided by Kordell Stewart and receivers Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress, it features a great running game and a stable of three powerful running backs. Last week, Zereoue and Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala combined for 93 yards on 36 carries.
Jerome Bettis is slated to be back in the Pittsburgh backfield this weekend after recovering from a groin injury. The Steelers managed to go 5-1 without their star, and any contribution he brings to the game will be looked at as a bonus.
The Patriots will attempt to attack the Steelers in much the same way but do not have the same weapons that the Steelers do. Antowain Smith is the top running back for the Patriots. They will need an exceptional day from him in order to keep their running and passing attacks balanced.
If the Patriots fall behind and are forced to go to the pass, the Steelers defense will be able to use their impressive blitz package to add on to their league leading sack total. The Steelers have three linebackers with nine or more sacks including Jason Gildon, who leads the team with 12. The Steelers will likely be putting a lot of pressure on Brady and if he is not able to stand in and deliver the ball against the blitz, the Patriots will have little hope of victory.
