FALCONS (12-5) AT EAGLES (14-3)
1 p.m., Ch. 13
THE SKINNY: With or without Terrell Owens, it's difficult to imagine Philadelphia losing the NFC Championship game for the fourth year in a row. Then, again, the same was said last year when the Eagles lost to Carolina in the conference championship game. With Owens, the Eagles were clearly the best team in the NFC (which isn't saying much). Without him, the Eagles are not nearly the same, dangerous team. His absence will allow Atlanta, an impressive winner against St. Louis, to focus more attention on running back Brian Westbrook, who is equally adept as a pass-catcher. Of course, the Eagles have to do something to keep Michael Vick under control. They have the secondary to control his arm. But their linebackers will have to make plays to control his feet. Still, it's hard to imagine the Falcons in the Super Bowl. Then again, we probably said the same thing in 1998. We're halfway to an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
Prediction: Eagles, 24-14 — Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette