NFL playoff preview: conference championships
NFC: Eagles (11-6-1) at Cardinals (11-7)
When: Sunday, 2 p.m., Channel 32
Line: Eagles by 4
By the numbers: Cardinals have scored 97 points during three-game winning streak, which began after they lost four of five and were outscored 130-41 in the final 3 losses. ... Cards finished the regular season dead last with 73.6 rushing yards per game, but they've averaged 115.5 in two postseason games despite picking up just 3.3 yards per carry. ... Eagles were No. 4 in rushing yards allowed and No. 3 in total yards allowed. ... Eagles have won five of last six games and have not permitted more than 14 points in any of the six games. ... Eagles' running game wasn't much better than Arizona's. Philly was 22nd in rushing yards and 24th in average gain per rush.
Last meeting: Eagles won 48-20 at home Thanksgiving night (Nov. 27) in Week 13 as RB Brian Westbrook scored 4 touchdowns, 2 on the ground and 2 through the air. The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead and outrushed the Cardinals 185-25. McNabb threw 4 TD passes without a pick and had a passer rating of 121.7, while Cards QB Kurt Warner threw 3 TD passes and 3 interceptions for a 65.7 passer rating.
Key questions: Will the Cardinals be able to keep the blitz-happy Eagles defense at bay with their marginal running game? The Eagles were No. 3 in sacks, while the Cards were No. 7 at preventing them.
Does either team need to run the ball? Arizona was No. 2 in passing yards; Philly was No. 6.
How much will the expected return of Pro Bowl WR Anquan Boldin help Warner and the Cardinals' passing game?
Which Cardinals defense will show up, the one that was 19th in yards and 28th in points allowed during the regular season, or the one that has forced 9 turnovers in two playoff games, including 7 interceptions?
What to watch: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, who has come up huge in both playoff games with a total of 14 catches for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns. It will also be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, the mastermind of the Eagles' zone-blitz scheme, goes after Warner, who can make teams pay when the blitz doesn't get there in time.
LeGere's pick: Eagles 30, Cardinals 23.
AFC: Ravens (13-5) at Steelers (13-4)
When: Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Channel 2
Line: Steelers by 6
By the numbers: Ravens have held last three opponents, including two in postseason, to 10 points or less and have held seven of last eight opponents to 13 points or less. ... Ravens have won seven of last eight. ... Ravens S Ed Reed has 10 interceptions in his last eight games. ... Steelers have also won seven of eight, allowing 13 points or less in 6 of the 7 victories. ... Steelers defense was No. 1 in total yards, passing yards, average gain per pass and points allowed, and in third-down efficiency during regular season, and No. 2 in sacks, rushing yards allowed and first downs allowed. ... The Ravens were No. 2 in interceptions and total yards and passing yards allowed, and No. 3 in rushing yards and points allowed. ... Steelers offense was 24th in total yards and 20th in scoring. ... Steelers RB Willie Parker has never gained more than 63 yards in a game vs. the Ravens. ... Ravens have forced 8 turnovers in two playoff games.
Last meeting: The Steelers won 13-9 at Baltimore in Week 15 to clinch the AFC North title, as WR Santonio Holmes caught a 4-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 43 seconds remaining on a disputed call. The Steelers' defense held the Ravens to a season-low 202 yards and did not permit a touchdown. Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco completed just 11 of 28 passes for 115 yards and was picked off twice for a 22.2 passer rating. Roethlisberger led the 92-yard, game-winning drive by throwing for 89 yards. That gave the Steelers a sweep of the season series. They won 23-20 at home in overtime on Monday night, Sept. 29, when the Ravens squandered a 10-point lead.
Key questions: Can the Ravens, who rely on the ground game, run on the Steelers? The Ravens had just 50 rushing yards on 30 attempts last week vs. the Titans, while the Steelers held the Chargers to 15 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Can the Steelers run on the Ravens, who were No. 3 in rushing yards allowed? Finally healthy, Parker rushed for 146 yards last week, and the Ravens allowed 116 yards on the ground vs. the Titans.
When Flacco throws, he often goes deep, but will he have time to unload before feeling pressure from Steelers LBs James Harrison (16 sacks) and Lamar Woodley (111/2 sacks)? Flacco hasn't been sacked or intercepted in the postseason.
What to watch: The health of the Ravens, who played a physically demanding game last week and suffered injuries to LB Terrell Suggs (shoulder), SS Jim Leonhard (concussion) and CB Samari Rolle (groin). RB Le'Ron McClain, playing on an injured ankle, had 12 yards on 12 carries.
LeGere's pick: Steelers 20, Ravens 10
Bob LeGere's picks
Last week: Straight up 3-1; against the spread 4-0
Season: Straight up 166-97-1; against the spread 135-120-9