Thom Loverro The Washington Times - January 16, 2009, 01:01PM

Since neither of the team’s I had picked at the start of the season to reach the Super Bowl — the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts — made it this far, I don’t know how valid my picks will be for Sunday. But, hey, you’ve got to play to win, right? I can’t believe I am writing this, but I think the Arizona Cardinals will be NFC champions. I like their chances at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cardinals are playing inspired defense and certainly have the most explosive offense left in the playoffs. I think the Eagles are due for another deflated performance like they had against the Redskins several weeks ago. In the AFC, I am going with the Baltimore Ravens over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the notion that it is hard to beat a team three times in one season, particularly when both wins by the Steelers were by such thin margins — an overtime win in the first game, and a last-minute victory in their second meeting. The key for the Ravens will be how effective is Terrell Suggs and whether or not they can stop Willie Parker, who was not a factor in either of the first two games they played. One interesting Redskin playoff note: if the Cardinals somehow manage to go on to win the whole thing and become Super Bowl champions, it will give assistant coach Russ Grimm five Super Bowl rings, which I believe will be the most of any former Redskin. He now has four — three as a Redskin player and one as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh. Radio I will be on The Sports Reporters on ESPN 980 AM on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. To learn more about Thom Loverro, go to www.thomloverro.com