A LOOK AHEAD CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS PHILADELPHIA AT ST. LOUIS.

Byline: -Daily News Staff and Wire Services

Time: 1:15 p.m., at The Dome at America's Center 

TV: Ch. 11

Last Meeting: The Rams beat the Eagles 20-17 in overtime, at Philadelphia

Series record: Rams lead 17-15-1; 1-1 (playoffs)

Line: Rams by 11

Outlook: You have to have a pretty special day to take the spotlight from St. Louis' offense. But that's what the Rams defense had Sunday against Green Bay. The Rams intercepted six Brett Favre passes, returning three for touchdowns in a 45-17 rout. But Philadelphia showed it can compete with St. Louis in Week 1, losing in overtime at home. Then, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was not nearly as effective as he's been late in the season. The key for Philadelphia will be whether McNabb can keep the Rams defense off balance with his running ability and athleticism. Running back Duce Staley is in the Marshall Faulk mold in that he's a threat running or catching the ball out of the backfield. But even if Philadelphia can adequately move the ball against a St. Louis defense ranked No. 2 in the NFL, allowing 279 yards per game, its defense will have to somehow stymie the Rams offense by creating turnovers. When the Rams lost 34-31 to New Orleans, Warner threw four interceptions. In the Rams' other loss, 24-17 to Tampa Bay, they lost four fumbles and Warner was picked off twice. But the biggest problem with stopping the Rams offense is their versatility. Even when Faulk has a so-so game by his standards, as in Sunday's victory over Green Bay, quarterback Kurt Warner can kill teams with the a passing game ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards and points.

NEW ENGLAND AT PITTSBURGH

Time: 9:30 a.m., at Heinz Field

TV: Ch. 2

Last Meeting: The Patriots beat the Steelers 23-9 in 1998, at Pittsburgh

Series record: Steelers lead 12-5; 1-1 in playoffs

Line: Steelers by 7 1/2

Outlook: The Patriots began the year as 70-1 shots to win the Super Bowl and many predicted New England to sit in the AFC East cellar at the end of the season. Instead, the Patriots are playing for a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1997, when they lost 35-21 to Green Bay. New England is 0-2 in Super Bowls. The Patriots are led by the most unlikely hero, second-year quarterback Tom Brady, who only is starting because of veteran Dre Bledsoe's injury that ended his season in Week 2. He's thrown for 2,843 yards and 18 touchdowns and has led the Patriots to an 12-3 record as a starter. The key for New England will be protecting Brady long enough for him to hit his receivers. The Patriots will also have to generate a running game, which won't be easy against Pittsburgh. The Pats are averaging 112 yards rushing per game (12th in the NFL). The Steelers are allowing an NFL-low 75 yards per game. Pittsburgh will try to do what it did against Baltimore: shut down the running game and then pressure the quarterback into hurries and errors. If the Steelers take an early lead, the Patriots will find it difficult to catch up, much as the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens did Sunday. Pittsburgh has the No. 3 offense in the NFL with 368 yards of total offense per game.

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Photo: (1 -- color) no caption (Rams player) (2 -- color) no caption (Patriot or Steelers football player)