by Adam Schein

Super Bowl Central

Steelers 27, Cardinals 23 Recap | Box | Play-by-play

Inside the game:

• Kriegel: Holmes steals show from Fitz
• Marvez: Harrison cited for going 100
• Behrendt: Loss wins Cards respect
• Video: Online OT reviews SB XLIII
• Steelers celebrate 6th Super Bowl
• Big Ben rises to occasion
• Fitz breaks out too late
• Polamalu beaming after Super win
• Respected Rooneys bask in No. 6
• Kurt Warner mum on future

Outside the game:

• Vote on 10 best, worst ads
• Polls: Was this best SB ever?
• Boards: Tell us what you think
• Steeler fans rush to the streets
• President Obama 1-for-1 on SB picks
• Porn clip interrupts local broadcast
• Springsteen rocks Super halftime show

Super Bowl history:

• NFL on FOX Super Bowl reflections
• Best teams | Games | Performances
• Worst teams | Games | Performances
• Chokes | Scandals | Media day moments
• SUPER BOWL CENTRAL | VIDEO

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For today's SCHEIN 9 we will examine the nine most fascinating matchups this weekend.

1. Eagles offense vs. Giants defense

In talking to Andy Reid Wednesday on Sirius NFL Radio, he couldn't stress enough how much he respects his old friend Steve Spagnuolo, Tom Coughlin and the Giants defense.

He also couldn't help but stress the groove Donovan McNabb finds himself in since the benching against Baltimore.

When you think of McNabb facing the Giants, you may flash back to the Sunday night game in 2007 when the quarterback was sacked 12 times.

Chew on this nugget -- the Giants didn't sack McNabb in either meeting this season.

And Justin Tuck, while he will play, didn't practice on Wednesday and is not 100 percent physically.

Reid also talked about how McNabb has been doing a nice job with his legs in addition to his passing prowess. McNabb seems to take off and run or pass on the run more when it is the bigger game. The Eagles receivers, starting with the explosive DeSean Jackson, the steady Kevin Curtis, and the first down maker Jason Avant, match up very well with the Giants corners.

And then there's Brian Westbrook, who has been very successful against the Giants in his career. Westbrook got the appropriate carries needed from Reid in the last meeting, burning the Giants to the tune of 203 combined yards as a runner and receiver. He embarrassed Antonio Pierce and the linebackers with two long, ankle-breaking touchdowns. Giants linebacker Danny Clark reveals to us this week it's vital to have "22 eyes" on Westbrook.

I still believe Westbrook is one of the best backs in the NFL.

2. Brandon Jacobs vs. Brandon Jacobs

It's not a misprint. That's the matchup.

I love the Eagles defense. Stewart Bradley and the backers are underrated.

But it all comes down to this -- if Jacobs is healthy and plays like he is capable of -- the Giants will win the game.

The Giants star runner has been hurt down the stretch of the season, missing three of the final six games.

Chances are the only guy that can stop Brandon Jacobs is Brandon Jacobs. (Al Bello / Getty Images)

Jacobs is a beast. Reid compared him to our radio co-host John Riggins in terms of the blend of power and speed.

Jacobs changes the attitude of the Giants, not only on offense but on defense as well. And he gives Eli Manning needed balance sans Plaxico Burress.

3. Giants vs. the world

And so it begins. The Giants feel like everyone is jumping on the Eagles bandwagon and there's this thought in the media that the Eagles are this year's Giants.

New York linebacker Danny Clark says the figurative bulletin board is overflowing with material from television analysts and newspaper writers.

Look -- this isn't lip service from the Giants. They spun the "us vs. the world" theme brilliantly all the way to the Super Bowl last year. There is no way, unlike the Cowboys last year, the Giants are ill-prepared for this game.

4. Chargers pass rush vs. Pittsburgh offense

The San Diego defense has changed for the better under Ron Rivera. In chatting up both linebacker Shaun Phillips and safety Eric Weddle this week, they say that the big key is the pressure they put on a quarterback. There is no doubt that San Diego has the advantage in this area against the Pittsburgh offensive line.

Guys and goats

Well, it certainly was wild. Adam Schein names his Five Guys and Five Goats for wild-card weekend.

Ben Roethlisberger is a bit of an X factor coming off of a concussion. But Weddle accurately says, "He has the ultimate blend of skill sets."

However, Phillips needed to stress the explosive nature of Willie Parker. Phillips says the Parker is a "natural runner" who is a tremendously talented back. And Phillips doesn't want to hear that "Fast Willie" has lost a step with injuries. Even with San Diego succeeding with its pass rush, Phillips maintains that it all starts stopping the run.

5. Chargers special teams vs. Steelers special teams

As Steelers coach Mike Tomlin quipped to us on Sirius NFL Radio this week, "Unfortunately we can't do anything against that punter!" Mike Scifres is coming off of a game for the ages. And you aren't going to overreact and rush him unnecessarily.

The key for Pittsburgh is bottling up Darren Sproles as a returner, which is easier said than done. I really think this is as important as anything in the ball game. Out of respect for the Steelers defense, it is tough to conjure up a scenario where the Chargers offense marches up and down the field. But if San Diego gets a short field after Sproles' returns, they could steel some points in Pittsburgh.

And there is no way that Norv Turner limits Sproles' touches on special teams because of his increased role as a running back. That would compromise this advantage too much.

6. Steve Smith vs. Cardinals defense

Antrel Rolle tells us that the biggest key dealing with the Carolina passing attack is preventing the YAC (yards after the catch) from Smith, an area where he killed the Cards in the first meeting. While Larry Fitzgerald gets his due for his hands, power and speed, Smith needs to get the same recognition for being in the same category as a receiver. Though he doesn't possess the same height, Smith is strong and has game-breaking quickness. I do think the Cards can turn Jake Delhomme over. But if Smith goes off, the Cards won't win.

7. Arizona attitude vs. Carolina attitude

Rolle and tackle Mike Gandy swear that the Cardinals were humbled by the 0-5 record on the East Coast. Gandy says the club regained a new attitude and enthusiasm after coasting down the stretch of the season when they clinched the division so early.

Now, it is one thing to bring it at home against the Falcons.

It's another ball game to do it on the road against John Fox's nasty Panthers team.

DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, the offensive linemen, Jake Delhomme, Smith, Julius Peppers, Jon Beason and Co. not only are great players, they play with an edge.

Gandy and Darnell Dockett need to once again set the tone in the trenches. Dockett cannot let the Carolina run game get started. The Arizona coaches once again need to aid the cause with a commitment to Edgerrin James so Peppers and his line mates don't go off on Kurt Warner. Running the ball successfully, the key to the win on wild card weekend, equals attitude.

8. Ravens defense vs. Titans offense

You could argue whether or not Baltimore has the best defense left in the tournament (Pittsburgh does have something to say about this). But there is no debate, in my opinion, which defense is the most difficult to prepare for. Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is the mad scientist. He will line up the very talented Haloti Ngata all over the field; on the inside of the defensive line, the outside, and even drop the 300 pounder back into coverage to throw an offensive line off. Veteran center Kevin Mawae told us that discovering Ngata is the first key to dealing with Baltimore's defense.

But obviously, that's the first step.

As Terrell Suggs told us this week on Sirius NFL Radio, "We can't wait to get to work to see what Coach Ryan has in store for us to maximize our talent."

Ball-hawking safety Ed Reed is a sensational blend of smarts, speed and studying his craft. Ray Lewis busted up a potential reverse in the win vs. Miami that truly sealed the game. Suggs and Bart Scott are great players.

Now, the Titans offensive line and running attack could look at the Giants success vs. Baltimore as a blue print. Tennessee needs to stay committed to the run with Chris Johnson and LenDale White even if the Ravens defense swallows them up early in the game. The Tennessee offensive line is very strong, led by tackle Michael Roos, though it is nothing short of a killer not to have the veteran Mawae for this game.

The Titans need to run successfully as this is a bad matchup for Kerry Collins and the underwhelming receivers against Reed and Co.

9. Joe Flacco vs. Tennessee defense

Titans star linebacker Keith Bulluck told us that he has the ultimate respect for the neophyte quarterback. But Keith did note that Flacco only completed nine passes in the game against Miami. Bulluck also referenced that even Miami coach Tony Sparano lamented the fact that the Dolphins didn't put the necessary pressure on Flacco.

Bulluck says that Flacco does an excellent job executing the safe passes the coaching staff gives him. Baltimore's offensive line is very underrated. But they need to be prepared for a healthy Kyle VandenBosch and Albert Haynesworth and a Titans defense that, to a man, believes it is being disrespected.