San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

Sfx: Look on the bright side. Singletary is going to turn your Niners into a beast. Hard nosed defense and a power running game; they're going to like the 1985 Bears and in the pathetic NFC West of all places.

Arizona is waaaaay better than anyone gave them credit for and that run D has now shut down Atlanta with Michael Turner and Carolina with Jonathan Stewart and Steve Smith. Edgerrin James is running the ball well, along with Hightower and Larry Fitzgerald is a freak of nature.

The game to watch will be Pittsburgh - Baltimore. That winner (and I think it'll be Baltimore) will be hard to beat in the Super Bowl.

Allan
Whose gonna stop my Birdies? They are conspicous in their absence from your post. No one is playing close to them. They beat the Giants twice in the Meadowlands. #5 has the team on his back and wont be denied. They buried AZ on Thanksgiving. It was downright uncomfortable to watch how badly they humiliated AZ on their home turf.

In the SB, how do you expect a Rookie QB or even worse Ben Rothlistatue to survive Jimmy Johnson's blitzing scheme?

They are as close to a lock as there is this year.

sdr: There was no disrespect intended to your Eggles. However, and let's be honest here: That game in Arizona was completely meaningless to the Cards and a desperation win for Philly.

I love Johnson's blitzing D, being a D guy myself, but it's vulnerable and especially to a wily veteran like Warner. The running game is not a power running game and Arizona's D line is showing some strength against the run, especially in stopping two top five running teams (Atlanta and Carolina).

Say what you will about Flacco, but that kid has ice water in his veins. He is backed by a brutal defense and one built on busting you in the mouth. Those hits being delivered are vicious and Baltimore can outhit Philly and do it with a smile. I think Baltimore beats Pittsburgh and I think Philly narrowly beats Arizona and then gets ground to pieces by the Ravens.

Like I said, no disrespect to the Eggles. Hell, my favorite Super Bowl remains the one in 1980 when my wildcard Raiders dismantled Jaworski and Vermeil's Eagles. Everytime I see "Jaws" on MNF, I mentally picture him running for his life from that Raiders D. Thing of beauty, man.

Allan
Minnesota's dline has led the NFL in rush defense 3 years in row.

DOnt forget that Philly played AZ 2x's ayear for years when the Cards when in the NFC East. Ironically, Philly always struggled to beat the Crads at hoem but seemed to own them on the road in AZ.

Dont let that debacle in Balt a couple weeks ago fool you. They area different team. hell they couldnt beat Cinncy back then.

We are at the time of year when experience makes a huge difference. Flacco is gonna crack in Pittsburgh next week who has already beaten them twice this year.

As for defense, MInn has a brutal defense as do the Giants. The Meadowlands is a nightmare to play at and Philly manhandled the 3 headed run attack of the Gints. The AFC team wont be able to score 20 points against Philly. As long as #5 avoids the big mistake, he gets his ring this year.

Here's a question. Right now I'd consider him a borderline HOF candidate probably on the wrong side of the fence. If he wins a SB, do you think that gets him over? His playoff record is solid and he'll finish up just outside the top 10 in nearly ever passing category. If he had decent receivers for more of his career (really TO is the only PB receiver he ever had and they both had career seasons when they were clicking) he could have been alot higher.

That 1980 SB was painful. It was my sr year in HS. At least the Phillies delivered that season. I love Jaws on MNF calling Philly games, he's such a blatant homer. I cant stand lsitening to Aikman, Moose Johnson and Bradshaw who all take pleasure in dissing the Igglz.

sdr: I think Philly's treatment of McNabb has been awful, and from the beginning. I remember when he was drafted and the boos from the Philly fans at the time.

He is definitely a HOF player, and a class act to boot. He has conducted himself like a true pro, on and off the field and there have been seasons when he did truly carry that team on his back. I thought he handled the T.O. mess very well, and yet you still have Philly fans calling for his head every time he makes a mistake. It's awful to watch.

Does winning the Super Bowl change things? It did for Eli Manning, who went from chump to champ and in another very tough football town. We'll see.

1980 was my sophomore year in HS and my first year at varsity. I used that game as inspiration (the Raiders were an underdog and long shot from the jump) and proof that anything was possible.

Bradshaw is a bumpkin and Johnson and Aikman are Cowboys (need I say more?). Favorite announcer is Dierdorf, followed by Jaworski. Think they need to dump Kornheiser from MNF, he's only there to appeal to that set of fans that really don't understand the game and are intimidated by Jaworski's knowledge and technical expertise.

I don't think Baltimore would blow Philly out in the Super Bowl, but I do think that D would chew them to pieces.