NFL Week 20 - Championship Edition

Welcome back, folks, to the penultimate edition of our weekly football blog. Our resident 10-year-old analyst, armed with a rubber football he received as a birthday party favor this afternoon, is ready with his usual trenchant analysis.

1. Let's start with the blander of the two games, the late Baltimore/Pittsburgh contest. Was this one more lopsided than the 23-14 final would indicate?

I'd say it was. Joe Flacco played a terrible game.

2. I have to say, I expected a better game out of Huge Joe Flacco. Is this another case of a rookie QB freezing up under playoff pressure?

Either that, or the more likely answer, him being stifled by the Steelers defense.

3. What were the other keys to the Pittsburgh victory?

Honestly, they didn't do too well otherwise. But the passing game was pretty good.

4. Now, on to the early game, which actually looked like a bit of a contest in the second half. Arizona came out and dominated, just as they did last week, but Philly caught 'em in the second half and almost ran away with the game. Does this bode ill for the Cards' chances in the Super Bowl?

Especially against Pittsburgh, I'd say it does.

5. I'm still sort of at a loss as to why this Cardinal team is in the big game. Name three things they've got going for them.

Hmm...their running game, their experience on offense and their defense.

6. And over on the Steelers side, what are the three main things they have going for them?

Their defense, their receivers and their quarterback's ability to improvise.

7. Two experienced QBs will be facing off in two weeks. Which veteran has the edge?

You can't really call Ben Roethlisberger a veteran. He was drafted in '04. But this is a tough question. I'd say they're rather even, but will definitely throw some interceptions.

8. Speaking of edge (Edgerrin James left! Edgerrin James right! Edgerrin James up the middle!), the game will pit two teams with old-school, grind-it-out running attacks. Who's got the edge in this department, and why?

The Cardinals have the advantage, because the Steelers aren't actually built like that.

9. How about the passing game? Which team has more firepower in their receiving corps, and who are their stars?

I'd say Arizona, but only by a little. They have Larry Fitzgerald and some other consistent receivers. Pittsburgh has injured Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and some other consistent receivers.

10. And both teams have made it to the big dance on the strength of their defenses. Which one's tougher, and who are the standout players?

The Steelers. Troy Polamalu and some other lesser-known players anchor the defense.

11. So here we are with the Super Bowl nobody predicted -- except you, who told us last week that this was the way it was going to shake out. Are you still picking the Steelers to emerge victorious?

Yes.

12. Let's have a final score forecast.

Let's see...27-17 Pittsburgh.

13. So is this a blowout, or a game that comes down to a couple of critical plays?

The latter.

14. Turn on your psychic powers and tell us what one of those plays might be.

Some deep passes by both teams, or key turnovers.

15. Thanks, Hen. We'll look forward to your Super Bowl coverage in two weeks, at which time you will be an 11-year-old football analyst. Now comes the point where you get to type whatever you want.

"We'll look forward to your Super Bowl coverage in two weeks, at which time you will be an 11-year-old football analyst."

Barely. By one day.