The NFL has reduced itself to 4 teams. By the end of the day we will know who is going to the Super Bowl. My Bold Prediction: Patriots vs. … well, that’s thing. I don’t know who to pick for the NFC. AFC, no problem. The Steelers host the Patriots. The two best teams in football, duke it out. The advantage goes to the Pats for three simple reasons. First, Tom Brady is a veteran quarterback who has stepped up in the playoffs for this team time and again. Second, Corey Dillon. Dillon provides the pats with balance on offense. He helps them set their tempo, and will keep the Pittsburgh defense honest. Third, Bill Belichick. No one game plans as well as Belichick. He has seen this Steelers team before, at their best. He is 13-0 against teams in the second match up against a QB. It will be a competitive game, but the Pats should win.

Across the Keystone state we have the other match up. The Eagles have a more balanced offense, a better defense, experienced coaching with Andy Reid, and home field advantage. They should be easy pick. But… they have been here before. The last three years they have been here and lost. Last year, they were clearly the better team but they were dominated by Carolina. Add to that, nasty cold weather that will minimize the passing game and of course that walking breathing X-factor we call Michael Vick. The Eagles should win this game, but I don’ think they will. I’m going on record for Atlanta.

Closer to home, the Ravens have revamped their Coaching staff, Jim Fassel is now Offensive Coordinator and Rex Ryan is the Defensive Coordinator. I think we have a big upgrade in coaching as a result. But is it enough? Probably not. We still need a big play receiver. And we are probably not going to get one. The free agent market is thin. Our best option is possibly to trade up in the draft and take Mike Williams. There is another option. One that would have been blasphemy here in Charm City just a year ago. I propose we trade Ray Lewis for Randy Moss.

I can here the nay-sayers now. Ray Lewis is the Heart and soul of that team. Randy Moss is a cancer with off field problems. True enough. But I contend that Ray’s leadership, is as much a hurt as a help. He means well, I have no doubt. But last season the defense didn’t play as cohesively as they have. And the offense is still treated like a support cast. We have more talent on Defense than you shake a stick at. Ray only has so many good years in him and it’s not like he’s going to take a pay cut. He would make an immediate impact on the Vikings D. He would raise the level of play of the other players. Its time for Baltimore to hand the torch to the next generation: Ed Reed. And let Ray go.

Moss on the other hand would give our Offense immediate Credibility. Defenses would have to plan for him, this would only improve the play of Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis. As far Randy’s dedication, he had some of his best years when Brian Billick was his OC. Billick is a master of motivation. If anyone is going to get a full effort out of Randy, it’s Billick. Maybe he is a cancer in Minnesota, but look at Corey Dillon. He was a malcontent in Cincinnati, but in New England he is a Team Player. Some times a change of address is just what is needed. Off field Issues? I hate to say it, but we’re used to those here in the Free State.

Call me Crazy but I think it’s a win-win for both teams and I would love to see it. If you’re a football fan let me know what you think.