FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

ATL (11-5) vs PHI (13-3)

Game Prediction: ATL 14, PHI 24

(Line - Eagles by 5)

Finally - a playoff game between teams that have not played already this season.

The Falcons come off a thorough domination over the Rams 47-17 last week in a game that Michael Vick only needed to throw 12 of 16 completions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons were busy totaling 327 yards on 40 runs by Warrick Dunn (17-142), Vick (8-119) and T.J. Duckett (15-66).

Other than allowing Kevin Curtis to catch a few long passes, the Falcons defense had an easy time handing anything the Rams tried offensively.

The Eagles come off a solid win over the Vikings last week and Donovan McNabb showed he still could pass even without Terrell Owens around. McNabb ended with 286 yards and two scores in the game and McNabb only added three short runs for a total of three yards.

Brian Westbrook had only 12 runs but gained 70 yards and added 47 more yards on five catches with one touchdown. The Eagles already led 21-7 at the half and mainly ran Levens to protect the lead for the rest of the game.

This week the Eagles bring a top 5 defense in almost all categories to face the Falcons who are destined to try to run the ball as much as they can. What should prove interesting is the colder weather with possibly a messy field and how that will affect the normally dome-bound Falcons. But back in 2002, Vick and company routed the Packers in Lambeau 27-7 in a game that featured falling snow.

As always, the Falcons will bring an offense that requires different preparations due to the ability of Vick to run. Vick had 64 yards on ten runs back in the Green Bay game in 2002 so he is not merely a carpet phenomena. No visiting quarterback in Philadelphia has tried to run more than three times nor gained more than 11 yards. That seems quite unlikely to hold up this week though the Eagles will be focusing on containing Vick and will have better players to do so than possibly any team the Falcons have faced this season. For comparison purposes, consider the Rams last week featured a defense that was below average in almost every category.

In the eight games in Philadelphia this season, there were no rushing touchdowns allowed since week one other than the final week when the Eagles were playing all substitutes. Outside of Tiki Barber in week one, no running back topped 100 yards as a visitor there this season. Unless Vick can give the blitz-happy Eagles a reason to drop back, it will be hard for the Falcons to mount a big rushing game this week and if the weather turns to snow, it will only serve to slow down Atlanta even more.

This is the fourth straight Championship game for the Eagles who have lost in their previous three attempts. The Falcons have a top ten pass defense but have been much softer against the run this season. That will play into Westbrook and Levens and the field and conditions. This game should definitely go to the Eagles by all trends and indicators except for one - they are becoming legendary for choking in the Championship game. This is their chance to reverse the frustration of the last three seasons and everything is in their favor.

The game day weather is predicted to be mid-20's and possible snow. Neither of which favors the dome-Falcons though it will not be as big an impediment since they prefer to run more than pass anyway.