This feature is the sole opinion of Chris Smith and it may not correspond to the rankings / projections of the Footballguys.com website.

AFC Conference Championship

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders

Game Forecast�

When these two football teams met back in September, the Raiders used, abused and absolutely destroyed the Titans 52 to 25 in a game that was over at the end of the first half (31 to 7).� Special teams played a massive role in that game as the Raiders returned two punts for touchdowns in the first half.� The Titans looked to be a team heading for a horrible season after that game but they were able to turn the season around and find themselves in the AFC Championship game with the team that embarrassed them in week four.� Steve McNair threw for 398 yards in the first contest between these teams but tossed up 4 interceptions in trying to rally his team from a huge deficit.� Obviously, the Titans are not at their best when trying to come back from behind and they will want to get out to a solid start this week.� Looking at how the two teams match up, I believe the Raiders should have a pretty easy time of it this weekend.� The Titans cornerbacks are hurting and will have huge problems stopping the vaunted passing attack of the Raiders.� Rich Gannon, Tim Brown and the Raider veterans looking for their first title are focused on this football game and won�t let this chance slip by them.� Look for a Raiders attack that is relentless all game long.� I expect Rich Gannon to throw for 300 yards and for the Raiders offense to rack up at least 30 points.� They took apart a very hot football team (the Jets) last week by playing aggressive defense and they will likely come after Steve McNair this week as well.� Expect the Titans to have difficulty moving the ball all game long until the Raiders have built up a big lead and begin to relax a little on the defensive side of the ball.� When the Titans cannot run the ball, they have big problems on the field and the Raiders are excellent at shutting down the run.� Eddie George will have little to no success in this game and the Titans will be forced into passing every play by the second half.� This will be a very good game for the Raiders and their fans.

Here are the keys to this game:

-         The Raiders are the NFL�s 1^st ranked passing team against the Titans 25^th ranked pass defense.

-         The Raiders are 3^rd in the NFL against the run, giving up only 90 yards per game.

-         The Raiders score 5.2 more points per game and give up 1.3 fewer points per game.

Must Starts: Rich Gannon, Charlie Garner, Jerry Rice, Jerry Porter, Doug Jolley, Derrick Mason, Steve McNair

Possible Starts: Tim Brown, Drew Bennett, Eddie George

Only in a Pinch: Justin McCareins, Robert Holcombe, Zack Crockett, Tyrone Wheatley

Fantasy related Injuries � Eddie George � questionable, Steve McNair � questionable (when is he not); Roland Williams - doubtful

Final Thoughts:� The Raiders are too hungry and have too much talent for the Titans to handle.� I expect the Raiders to pour it on and have the game wrapped up by the end of the third quarter.� The Raiders are Super Bowl bound.

Predicted Score: Titans 14 at Raiders 27

NFC Conference Championship

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles

Game Forecast�

If you like defensive football with little scoring, this may be the game for you.� Both teams feature defenses that can take over and dominate a football game (just ask the Falcons and 49ers about that) and both teams have offenses with serious issues when it comes to running the football.� The Buccaneers defense is an opportunistic defense that creates turnovers and causes havoc on the football field.� However they do a couple of weak points that the Eagles will be looking to exploit at home this week.� The first place the Eagles will look to exploit is the interior of the Buccaneer defense.� The team speed for Tampa Bay is scary and it is almost impossible to run the ball to the outside on this team.� However the Eagles could have some success this week if they line up and play old fashioned smash mouth football against the front seven of the Bucs.� The other thing the Eagles will want to do is have Donovan McNabb scramble and create time for his receivers to get open down the field.� The Buccaneers feature a dominant pass rush but if a quarterback can break containment and buy time to throw the ball, the secondary isn�t strong enough to stay with the receivers.�

The Buccaneers may as well throw the run out of the window.� They have a hard time running the football at the best of times and it will be next to impossible against the fired up Eagles defense.� It will be up to Brad Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson and company to find a way to get open on one of the finest defensive backfields in the NFL.� The Eagles will be playing pass first, all game long and that will make it very difficult for Brad Johnson to get things going in a hostile environment.� I expect a lot of struggles for the Buccaneers offense on this day.

Here are the keys to this game:

-         The Buccaneers have given up 41 sacks on the year (ranked 21^st) while the Eagles have registered 56 sacks (1^st in the NFL).� Good Luck Johnson!

-         The Buccaneers are the 27^th ranked rushing offense while the Eagles grade out as the 7^th best rushing team.

-         The Buccaneers 1^st ranked pass defense (155 passing yards against per game) against the mobility of Donovan McNabb.

-         The Eagles have scored 4.3 more points per game while the Buccaneers have given up 2.8 fewer points.

Must Starts: Donovan McNabb, Chad Lewis, Todd Pinkston

Possible Starts: Brad Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Duce Staley, James Thrash,

Only in a Pinch: Joe Jurevicius, Ricky Dudley, Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott, Dorsey Levens, Antonio Freeman, Ken Dilger

Fantasy related Injuries � none

Final Thoughts:� The defenses will dominate this game but I like the combination of McNabb�s running skills and the Eagles rushing game more than Brad Johnson�s passing skills and the Buccaneers rushing game.� The Buccaneers last two playoff exits have come at the hands of the Eagles by a combined score of 52 to 12.� The Eagles will continue their mastery over the Buccaneers and go on to the Super Bowl in a very tough, hard-hitting, defensive football game

Predicted Score: Buccaneers 10 at Eagles 16