Playoff Challenge

Well, it all comes down to this.  The 2009 Super Bowl is just one week away and unfortunately for everyone in this contest, Lincoln is absolutely running away with this thing.  The guy has gone 9-1 through the playoffs and has buried the rest of the field.  Very impressive Lincoln.  Be sure to:

1.     Email me at Joe.Fortenbaugh@NationalFootballPost.com with your address, so I can send you some NFP swag.

2.     Include your Super Bowl pick (at this point, you’re the only person I’m taking advice from.  Hook me up!)

***I just wanted to let all of you guys know that your favorite fantasy writer is heading down to Tampa tomorrow evening for a week of Super Bowl coverage.  When I say coverage, what I really mean is that I’m hitting the beach in St. Pete’s for the week.  However, I will be covering a slightly different aspect of this year’s Super Bowl. 

Yes, that’s right.  Your boy will be covering the Super Bowl party scene.  The festivities kick off on Thursday night when I’ll be “covering” the YardBarker/GQ/Jack Daniels Party hosted by the infamous Terrell Owens.  As long as he hasn’t read me bashing him this past season, everything should be ok.

On Friday night, my drunken journey leads to the Tampa Aquarium, where one of the NFP’s favorites, Mr. Warren Sapp, is throwing a bash featuring Doug E. Fresh and DJ Biz Markie.  Word on the street is that Chris Johnson will be in attendance.  I’ll be sure to pass along our gratitude for everything this guy did for all of us this past season.

Just a side note:  Sapp’s dress code is “So Fly”.  Anybody want to fill me in on what that means?

Saturday evening (if I’m still breathing) features a Tampa house party/charity event hosted by actor Ashton Kutcher.  This one is a little scaled back in terms of craziness compared to the other two, but I have big things in mind regardless.

I plan on taking tons of pictures, drinking tons of Grey Goose, and writing a scintillating (you like that word?) tell-all sometime just after the Super Bowl.  There may even be some video footage if I can keep it together long enough.  If anybody has any suggestions, you know where to find me.

With that in mind, let’s recap how bad I was last week.

OVERALL:  5-5

LAST WEEK:  0-2

Wins:  NONE (impressive, right?)

Losses:  Philadelphia, Baltimore

Super Bowl

Sunday, February 1^st         6:28pm      Raymond James Stadium      Tampa, FL

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6-1) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)

Pittsburgh -7

The Scoop

This is what it’s all about.  The NFL’s #1 ranked defense takes on the #4 ranked offense.  Pittsburgh has been stifling defensively this year, allowing just 156.9 yards per game against the pass (1^st).  Meanwhile, Kurt Warner leads a high powered passing offense which averaged 365.8 yards per game in the air this past season (2^nd).  The key to this game is the matchup that will be talked about very little this week.  Steelers running back Fast Willie Parker vs. the Cardinals run defense.  Arizona’s defense has stepped it up big time in the postseason, allowing just 77.3 yards per game on the ground against the likes of Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Brian Westbrook.  Meanwhile, if FWP can get it going, Arizona stands little chance.  In 2008, Pittsburgh was 5-0 during the regular season when Parker rushed for more than 70 yards.  In those five games, FWP found pay dirt five times.  He also rushed for over 70 yards in the Steelers 35-24 win over San Diego in the Divisional Round.  Parker’s final stat line?  27 carries for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

The Tipper’s Take

As I mentioned last week, the key to slowing down the explosive Cardinals passing attack is by pressuring Warner up the middle.  The Eagles figured it out in the third quarter, but fell apart late and couldn’t get a stop when it mattered.  Don’t expect the Steelers to have the same problem.  There is a reason their defense is the best in the league. 

The Tipper’s Prediction

I’m sure just about everyone will be picking the Steelers to win the game, but by 7 points?  Come on.  Arizona has been getting absolutely no respect, despite knocking off Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia.  That being said, I’m jumping on the wagon just like everybody else.  Pittsburgh’s defense is as nasty as they come.  Steelers cover and look impressive in the process.