FSH: THE WEEKEND INJURY WRAP UP (CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS)

January 19th, 2008 10:47pm PST


Divisional Playoffs...
NFL Injury News & Notes

• The Raven's running back Willis McGahee suffered a nasty hit in the team's championship matchup against the Steelers. McGahee was carted off the field on Sunday and hospitalized as a precaution. Recent reports indicate that he has been released and is expected to have a full recovery.
• The Cardinal's wide receiver Anquan Bolding was limited in action, but did not appear to suffer any ill affects from the injured hamstring. With the extra week of rest, he should be ready for the Super Bowl.
• The Steeler's quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to show his toughness playing with injuries. On Sunday Big Ben sustained bruised ribs, but finished the game. He's not expected to miss any time.
• The Steeler's wide receiver Hines Ward suffered a knee injury during Sunday's title game against the Ravens. Ward left the game with a sprained MCL and did not return. His status for the Super Bowl is questionable, although Ward is saying the injury is not serious.
• The Cardinal's defensive lineman Antonio Smith suffered a knee injury in the NFC title match. Smith was able to return to the game and is expected to be just fine for the Super Bowl.
• The Raven's running back LeRon McClain only saw one carry in the AFC title game against the Steelers. Apparently his injured ankle kept him on the sideline.
  

Sunday's Game Notes:

1. The NFC Title game was one of two tales. In the first half, the Arizona Cardinals dominated the action with 260-yards of offense and 24 points. Warner and Fitzgerald were instrumental in the first half connecting three times to help the Cards build the big lead. In the second half was a different story. When the 3rd quarter opened the Cards netted just three yards in eight plays of offense, while Eagles dominated all of the action. McNabb threw two touchdowns in consecutive drives to bring the Eagles back and make a game of it. Following the Cardinals third consecutive punt to open the 2nd half, McNabb led the Eagles to their straight score with an electrifying 62-yard strike to DeSean Jackson. This set the stage to what will in all likelihood define this matchup. After allowing Philadelphia to come back and overtake an 18-point deficit, Kurt Warner and company found themselves trailing in the 4th quarter with 10:45 left on the clock. Warner would lead his team on a memorable 14-play 7 minute and 52 second drive, that would culminate in a great third down 8-yard screen pass play call for a touchdown. A gutsy fourth down call by Ken Whisenhunt that kept the drive alive was also another key adding to the drama. This was a exciting matchup that will go down as a classic for the ages.
2. While both teams, the Ravens and Steelers battled tough and the score was close for the most part throughout, it was never as close as indicated by the score. Points were always going to be at a premium in this bloodfest, but the Steelers would prove to be the team with more playmakers on both sides of the ball. While the Ravens hung tough all evening with their stingy defense, it was the Steelers defense that proved to be the big difference. Led by LaMarr Woodley (2 sacks), Aaron Smith (1 sack) and Troy Polamalu's 40-yard interception for a touchdown that sealed the win, the Steeler's defense forced four turnovers and limited the Ravens to 198-yards of total offense. Big Ben was superb making plays and throwing the long ball, while Santonio Holmes again came up with a big play to help the cause. With their win, the Steelers will be making their seventh trip to the Big Dance.

The Fantasy Notebook....

What we think we know:

• The Steelers will very likely unleash the dawgs on Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XLIII, following the blue print the Eagles defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson laid down in the 2nd half of the NFC title tilt. The Eagles were very effective with pressure, forcing Warner to get rid of the ball quickly and not allowing him time to get rid of it at all. While the Cards defense has played well, the Steelers will very much test their front seven with "Fast Willie" Parker.
• The Cardinal's offense at times has looked prolific. Warner and Fitzgerald will undoubtedly test the Steeler's secondary. If Boldin is close to 100% for the big game, he could be a huge factor and with his size and strength, he's still a playmaker. Edge and Hightower will get complimentary carries, but it is unlikely that either will see much yardage against the leagues number one run defense in the post season (2nd in the regular season).

Fantasy Spotlight:

***Boldin plays, but very little...
The Cardinal's other star receiver Anquan Boldin did not see much action on Sunday catching just four passes for 34-yards. Boldin was noticeably absent down the stretch, in particular during the Cardinals game winning drive.

***Parker limited, but does the job...
The Steelers running back Willie Parker wasn't very fast on Sunday as the Raven's defense kept him bottled up. Parker did however, carry the ball 24 times for 47-yards and kept the defense honest all game long.

***Westbrook a non-factor in loss...
The Eagles running Brian Westbrook was relatively quiet in the NFC title game carrying the ball just 12 times for 45-yards and making just two catches for another 26-yards.

***Flacco struggles terribly in defeat...
The Raven's rookie quarterback Joe Flacco showed his age on Sunday in the AFC title match. Flacco struggled for the most part throwing the pill, completing just 13 of 30 passes while throwing three interceptions.


Another Sunday and another week in the NFL, here are your "Weekend Heroes!"

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS

PASSING CLUB

QB-Donovan McNabb (Phi)
.....the Eagles quarterback led a comeback on Sunday that just fell short, by passing for over 260-yards in the 2nd half. McNabb completed 28 of 47 passes for 375-yards and three touchdowns with one interception in the team's loss.

QB-Kurt Warner (Ari)
.....the Cardinal's quarterback was simply a magician on Sunday, making the big throws when needed. Warner completed 21 of 28 passes for 279-yards with four touchdowns.

QB-Ben Roethlisberger (Pit)
.....the Steeler's quarterback was simply a playmaker in the team's Sunday night tilt against the Ravens. Big Ben completed only 16 passes for 255-yards and a touchdown in the win.


RUSHING CLUB

RB-Edgerrin James (Ari)
....the Cardinal's running back was not spectacular, but he was effective. James carried the ball 16 times for 73-yards on the ground for a 4.6-yards per carry average in the NFC title game.

RB-Willis McGahee (Bal)
....the Raven's running back played well in the team's loss in the AFC title match with the Steelers. McGahee carried the ball 20 times for 60-yards and two rushing touchdowns.

RECEIVING CLUB

WR-Larry Fitzgerald (Ari)
....the Cardinal's star receiver was just sik. Larry Fitz caught a game high nine passes for 152-yards and spent most of his afternoon in the end-zone with three touchdown receptions.

WR-Kevin Curtis (Phi)
....the Eagle's speedy wideout Kevin Curtis came up with a nice game in the team's loss with four catches for 122-yards.

WR-DeSean Jackson (Phi)
....the Eagle's wide receiver DeSean Jackson was big in the team's loss. Jackson caught five passes for 92-yards in the air and scored on an electrifying 62-yard catch and run for a touchdown.

WR-Brent Celek (Phi)
....the Eagle's tight end Brent Celek had his career game in the NFC title match. Celek caught 10 passes for 83-yards receiving and scored twice in the Eagle's loss.


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