NFC Championship Game

Championship Weekend

EAGLES -5 OVER Falcons
For the last time, the Eagles did not fail to make it to the Super Bowl last year because they didn't have T.O. They stumbled against the Panthers because they lost RB Brian Westbrook and LB Carlos Emmons to injuries late in the season. And yes also because the Eagles receivers dropped almost 10 passes. This Eagles team has a healthy and versatile Westbrook and Jeremiah Trotter at MLB - a Pro Bowler after just SEVEN starts. This is the best Philly defense of the last 4 NFC Championship Game teams. Vick will get his yards on the ground but he is an average passer at best going against a Pro - Bowl secondary in DB Lito Sheppard FS Brian Dawkins and SS Michael Lewis. Dawkins or Lewis will be used to spy Vick on many occasions throughout the game, but it will not create enough of any opening in the Philly secondary for Vick to take advantage of. Once again the Eagles will need a Freddy Mitchell, L.J. Smith, or Todd Pinkston to step up. But also keep in mind that the Vikings knew they had to shut down Westbrook to win - and they couldn't and didn't. He is so versatile - he is a mismatch against any linebacker and can split out wide or line up in the slot. The Falcons front four could present some problems for McNabb, I think Kearney will win the trenches battle against Runyan more often than not but it will not be enough to force McNabb into a turnover that will turn the game in the Falcons favor. The way for the Falcons to win this one is to get up big early. If the Philly homecrowd sees that scoreboard light up with points for the Falcons, don't look for patience to emerge from this championship starved-city. That being said, I see the Eagles winning by 10.