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                               January 18, 2002

Commentary by Jim Fox
Staff Writer

Who would have thought that the combined forces of "good" and evil," to quote my erstwhile arch-rival Capt. Pat Murphy, would post a perfect 4-0 record in last weekend’s games?

This time we disagree right from the beginning.

In Saturday’s early game, Murph’s Philadelphia Eagles travel to Chicago to take on the resurgent Bears in a re-match of the 1988 "Fog Bowl."

Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb will have to weave his magic once again, this time against a Bears’ defense led by linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Both teams’ defenses will limit the opposition’s rushing attack. The team with the mobile QB (Philly) will have the advantage. Turnovers will decide this game.

The Bears proved time and time again that they could play from behind with the best of them, as Jim Miller has emerged as an efficient, if unspectacular, signal caller.

Chicago’s game plan is simple -- establish the running game, don’t turn the ball over and let the defense do its job.

The Bears habit of making spectacular plays to pull games out may come in handy once again.

Look for the Eagles to play more aggressively than the Bears, by that, I mean McNabb will take more chances than his counterpart Miller.

Miller seems to have perfected a role developed by Trent Dilfer last year-- lead your team down the field, keep mistakes to a minimum and create the occasional big play.
Fox: Bears 16-13.

"Alas," Murphy said, "Darth Fox is showing his true colors. Once again he is going against the young Eagles. This game will be McNabb’s homecoming in Chicago, where he led his Mount Carmel high school team to a city championship on Soldier Field. Saturday he will lead his young Jedi over the upstart Bears in what looks to be a dandy of a battle.
Murphy: Eagles 24-13
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Next up is the Saturday night tilt featuring the Oakland Raiders who travel to Foxboro, Mass. to face the upstart New England Patriots.

If the Raiders can pressure young Pats’ quarterback Tom Brady and force him into throwing into coverage he can be beaten, as Denver proved by intercepting him four times back in October.

The New England running game is the key. If Antowain Smith can get going he will take a considerable amount of pressure off of Brady and help keep the Raiders defense honest.

The Pats defense gives up yards, yes, but they must hold the Raiders to field goals and not give up touchdowns to win.

Again the trio of Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, will keep the Oakland offense humming.

Brady is an inexperienced QB, playoff-wise, that usually doesn’t bode well when the mistakes start to mount this time of year.

Don’t forget the Drew Bledsoe factor, either. If Brady gets in trouble or is hurt, New England can go to the more experienced, if rusty, Bledsoe. In the same situation, Oakland is left with Rodney Peete. Yikes.
Fox: Raiders 24-23

"I, too, like the Raiders," Murphy said. "who will be led again by Philly-native Rich Gannon and ex-Eagle Charlie Garner on offense."
Murphy: Raiders 20-13

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In Sunday’s early game, the Baltimore Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to take on the top-seeded Steelers.

Pittsburgh schooled Baltimore in week 14 and laid their claim as the team to beat in the AFC this season.

Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart has to be as dynamic as he was in that December victory and avoid the turnover bug for Pittsburgh to advance.

Pittsburgh should also have the services of featured running back Jerome Bettis who missed the last third of the season to injury. "The Bus" will help wear down the Ravens tough defense.

Baltimore considers themselves back to the form that they used to bowl their way to the title last post season, after their dominating 20-3 win over Miami.

A balanced Ravens offense, that holds onto the ball, and puts points on the board could turn this game into a battle of field position and ultimately special teams, especially the kicking game.

Here the advantage shifts to the Ravens, as Steelers kicker Chris Brown is just plain awful.

Pittsburgh receivers Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward will need to duplicate their physical effort of the week 14 victory over Baltimore.

The Ravens defense is tough, but so is the Steelers D. Pittsburgh is the only team left in this post season that can manhandle Baltimore.
Fox: Steelers 28-16

"During WWII, the Eagles and Steelers merged their players to become the Steagles," Murphy said. "With this history, how could I not pick them over the trash-talking Ravens? It is time to warm up the "Bus" for the playoff drive to New Orleans."
Murphy: Steelers 21-17

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Sunday afternoon’s game features what some call "the greatest show on earth," and by that I mean, of course, the offensive circus that is the St. Louis Rams.

If anyone can match the offensive wizardry of Rams quarterback Kurt Warner it is Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre. The problem is Warner has more weapons at his disposal.

The only way I see the Rams stumbling is if they turn the ball over at least six times and one of their key offensive weapons (i.e. Warner, running back Marshall Faulk or receiver Isaac Bruce) gets hurt. Even then they still might win a barnburner.

The Pack needs to put the kind of pressure on Warner that the New York Giants did back in October. They need to get in his face and hit him hard and often.

Green Bay can’t match the Rams offensively, but it sure will be fun to watch Favre try. This game has the makings of a shootout. The difference this year over last is that now the Rams have enough defense to slow down the opposition.
Fox: Rams 38-28

"The curtain will eventually come down on the ‘greatest show on earth,’" Murphy said. "compliments of the improving Packer defense. Ahman Green will give the Pack the ball-control offense needed to take down this offensive juggernaut. Favre will also work his magic once again to set up a showdown in Philly the following week."
Murphy: Packers 27-24