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Immeasurable pressure in championship games

Each week throughout the season and playoffs, Pro Football Hall of Fame runningback Thurman Thomas will share his insights exclusively with NFLCanada.com

My expert opinions, my flawless formula, my years of NFL experience and my vast knowledge of the game have brought me to an incredible 4-4 in playoff predictions. Having set the bar so high in prognosticating, I’m going to shoot for an astounding 50% winning percentage for this weekends games as well. (look out Nostradamus).

Eagles at Cardinals: Hard to believe this once abysmal franchise (Arizona) is now the favorite in the NFC Championship game. Not to take anything away from the Cardinals, but it has never been easier in the NFL to succeed with an above average team. But that subject is for another time.

This game is simple, if Kurt Warner gets decent protection Arizona wins. My formula says Arizona, and who am I to argue with such a brilliant tool or such a fabulous win percentage. To the dismay of the NFL; Arizona 27 Philly 13

Ravens at Steelers: My nephew said if the Titans – Ravens game was a meet grinder, this game is in the frying pan. He’s right, look for a particularly violent game. I picked Carolina last week based on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco’s lack of experience. He proved me wrong, however I’m still going with the Steelers.

They have the best defense in the NFL and that unit will be the difference in the game. As someone who played in five championship games, I can attest to the overwhelming pressure to succeed in these games, simply put, it’s a chance to make the Super Bowl, as a player you may be more excited to play in the Super Bowl, but the pressure and the anxiety are higher in the Championship games.