Nick and Josh were the only ones to correctly guess both division championship games last week. This week we asked our expert pickers to earn their keep by giving the reason why they selected the team they did to win. Kelsey, facing an up-hill battle all season, has a chance to tie Don for first place.
Don DeLorenzo, Gilroy Golf Pro
Pittsburgh
The Steelers will win because they have been there before with a lot of veterans in key positions. Their defensive backs will make it difficult on Warner and I think the way they stuck with the running game in the conference championship will once again open up Big Ben and the passing game. It will be a close game.
Kelsey Jeffries, Pro Boxer
Arizona
Flip a coin. Heads - Arizona. Tails - Arizona. OK. That was easy. If Arizona pulls off the offset it will mean tying Don, who I have been chasing in the standings all year. But I think Arizona has a good chance. They've gotten hot at the right time of year. If the Arizona front line can give Kurt Warner some time, he will make the Pittsburgh defense pay.
Nick Lovejoy, Staff Photographer
Arizona
The reason that the Cardinals will win (35-28) is simple. They are staying at a Holiday Inn Express, which makes them unbeatable. Plus Kurt Warner's wife, with her short man hair, will kick Kurt's butt if he doesn't win. The reason the Steelers won't win is because Kurt's wife will take Big Ben out the night before and threaten him with bodily harm if he wins the game. In other words I don't really know but I am looking forward to an entertaining game at the least.
Andrew Matheson, Free Lance Sports Editor
Pittsburgh
If the underdog Giants hadn't won last year, no one, or at least far fewer people, would be picking the underdog Cardinals this year. The Pittsburgh defense is far superior, and their offense, although not stellar or flashy, did put up 23 points against Baltimore in the AFC Championship. Expect the Steelers to grind it out, own the clock, and never really give Arizona's offense any real chance of putting points up on the board.
Nathan Mixter, Copy Editor
Arizona
Arizona's no stranger to being the underdog. They've been the underdog throughout the playoffs and have surprised several teams throughout the season. I have to admit they haven't earned my pick too many times. In a game that is centered around the quarterbacks, Kurt Warner is showing he still can play. And in the warm weather of Florida, his old bones will hold up much better than in the cold. Look for the Arizona coaching staff to steal a page from the Steelers play book.
Robert Airoldi, Times Editor
Arizona
The Cinderella story continues for the Arizona Cardinal (9-7 regular season) team which will finish it's magical season (OK, maybe just a magical postseason) with a win over the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. Why, it's really quite simple. Coaching and quarterbacks. The Cardinals should benefit from knowledge of the Steelers' personnel, specifically quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Cardinal coach Ken Whisenhunt will know better than most what bothers Roethlisberger and how to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Warner is the more accurate passer. He's far superior at getting rid of the football quickly. Warner also led the St, Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory. Advantage Cardinals, who will beat the Steelers 31-27. Take the points and the over.
Josh Koehn, Dispatch Sports Editor
Pittsburgh
Give me Pittsburgh and the points. Robert Airoldi told me he's picking Arizona, which means I'll just have to settle with taking the favored Steelers to avoid a tie. But let me just say that my record is no indication of my sports acumen, when you consider I picked the Detroit Lions in every game they played this season. Give me those 16 games and I'm in third place. Here's where you say, 'Only a fool or a die-hard fan would pick the winless Lions in every game this season.' My response: I am both.
Scott Adams, Times Sports Editor
Arizona
Kurt Warner has led the Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl - and will finish the job Sunday.
I know because I honestly think the Steelers will win. Look how far my gut instinct has gotten me. I spent a good half-hour contemplating making my picks each week - reading scouting reports, listening to experts - yet here I am in last place. ME! There is only one thing that will go well with my big slice of humble pie
Sunday, a Cardinals victory.
Kollin Kosmicki, Free Lance Editor
Pittsburgh
I'm taking the Steelers in a close game because its defense will end up making the big play when it matters. I see the Steelers shutting out the pass game and inviting Edgerrin James to run the ball. They'll also entice one or two big mistakes from Kurt Warner - and Troy Polamalu will find himself in the middle of it - to pull off the game in the fourth quarter. Steelers by less than a touchdown.
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The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
