Willis McGahee Goes Down Cold with Ravens; Cardinals & Fitzgerald Humble the Eagles

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Tell anyone with a faint heart to look away before watching this hit. Watch how McGahee clinches his fist for a little while after being hit. (To me, that was a scary sign. Any doctors reading, to comment?) There was much concern on Heinz Field, for McGahee and Clark, as they both lay motionless for a moment. The game was already over, but the hits still came, as the Steelers last two really hard hits were the last judgment for this Ravens team. As it has been for a few seasons, the Ravens defense watched helplessly from the sideline as their offense failed to do what it needed to.

Although disappointed with the result of the game on the subfreezing enemy turf, the Ravens have much hope for next year. There could be a shakeup on defense, but as long as they bring Lewis and Suggs back, they should be able to replace or recover in other places.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The NFC title game was a roller coaster that started fast, lulled you to sleep and then had a few more turns right before it parked and you had to get off and go ride something else. Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner are leading this team in so many ways.

The Pittsburgh Steelers would typically be favored over the Cardinals, but I think this Cardinal team would bet otherwise. The defense held out most of the game, and their receiving core proved itself to be the best in the nation (with a seasoned QB).