SCOTT JACOBS

You hear that sound?  That piercing sound crackling through the sports universe right now?  That is the sound of shock… and denial, and fear.  Fear that any of us could be so wrong on any one team in any one post-season. You see the Arizona Cardinals aren’t just a cute underdog story gone all Disney.  They’re the team so buried beneath media hatred that they can’t buy anyone’s respect right now.

After dismantling Carolina last night 33-13 on the road, as 9 1/2 point undedogs, you figured the Cards would have no more reason to play the ‘no one respects us’ card.  But you know what?  They’re hosting the NFC championship game next week, and wouldn’t you know it, they’re underdogs.

Got to love it.

Gene Wojciechowski says Arizona has no shot.  No shot?  How?  Was he watching the same few weeks as I was?

He points to the Thanksgiving game where Arizona was beaten soundly by the Eagles.  Um, lets see.  That game was in Philly.  This one is in Glendale.  That was the old Cards.  This is the new one.  That was in cold weather.  This is in a dome.  That was with the fading Cards.  This is versus the flying Cards.  Arizona couldn’t tackle.  Now they can’t miss.  Arizona couldn’t run the ball.  Now their running game has a pulse. Kurt Warner was too old.  Now he looks like he’s too young (and we mean that with a compliment).  Ken Whisenhunt couldn’t prepare his team.  Now he can’t screw up.  Arizona couldn’t beat a good team.  Now they’re dispatching them.

I’m sorry.  Would someone explain to me how Arizona has no shot?  At home.  Playing in front of a crowd that gobbled up tickets in six minutes.  Would someone explain to me how the Cardinals can’t do this?  Now that they’ve won double the amount of playoff games that they had since 1998.  Would someone explain how the Eagles are some kind of lock?  After Arizona dominated one of the NFL’s ‘top teams?’

Let me get this one correct: the Cardinals beat Atlanta, trounce Carolina, and they don’t have a chance?  The same way Tampa Bay didn’t have a chance to get to the World Series?  The same way the Marlins couldn’t beat the Yankees in 2003?  The same way that there was no chance three out of four road teams would prevail in the divisional round leaving us with two six seeds and a four?

What’s amatter?  Does the idea of Arizona making the Super Bowl sound too comical?  Is the concept of the NFL’s most down trodden franchise in the Big Game absurd?  Are you looking for a reason to laugh at the madness that has ensued over these past few weeks?

Arizona has scored 30 and 33 points their last two games.  Their defense is taking the ball away at an unprecedented rate.  Their running game, while not spectacular, now gains yards most of the time.  And uh, let’s not forget about Larry Fitzgerald.  I heard he’s kind of good.  And dare you count out Kurt Warner, who at 37 probably thought he had proved all the doubters wrong.  Nope, the skeptics keep growing.  Everyone is waiting for the wheels to fall off of this shocking Cards resurgence.  This can’t be real, the Cards can’t be good.  What in the world is going on here?

When you look for flaws you find them.  Arizona has them.  Philly does too.

But Arizona is easy to pick on.  They’re the little kid in the back, quietly waiting their turn, as the bullies push them around.  They plot their revenge.  They unite.  They come together at the right time, and then bam, you never know what hit you.

This is what happens when you underestimate and beat down a team that can’t prove itself out of a paper box if you listen to many a expert.  Their is no way they can win.

Their quarterback is too old.  Their offensive line is too inexperienced.  Their defensive line is too inconsistent.  Their corners are too new at this.  Their coach isn’t ready.  Their star wideout is too banged up.  Their running back is too past their prime.  Their backup parties too much.  Theirother star wide out can’t do it again.

O, they’ve heard what they can’t do.  They’ve been told they’re not good enough, not fast enough, not smart enough, not tough enough, not rough enough, and that they don’t have a huff or a puff.  But come next Sunday, the Cardinals won’t be listening.  No.  They’ll be too busy getting ready to claim a spot in the Super Bowl that no one still believes they can get.

So bash them, call them names, and tell them what they can and cannot do.  They’ll go out on the field and prove to everyone, that this run is no fluke.  This magic carpet ride is no mirage.  That NFC championship and berth in the Super Bowl is no pipe dream.

It’s happening.  Whether you like it or not. Next week, after Arizona beats the media darling Eagles to advance to the Super Bowl, I hope you’ve got some fresh insults for the new NFC Champions.  If you haven’t noticed, they really like your ignorance.