It can not possibly be this easy, can it?

I posed this question to a well-respected veteran St. Louis journalist after the Rams defeated the Chicago Bears on the day after Christmas? He politely smiled. After Sunday's playoff game win over Minnesota, I posed the same question again.

This time, both of shook our heads: and both of us smiled.

Regardless of the reason: whether its the lingering effects of Pope John Paul II's visit a year ago; or being the byproduct of a salary cap industry; or parity at its best; or whether someone sold his or her soul to the devil, the fact remains, the Rams will be playing and hosting the National Football Conference Championship game.

You know, the same NFC Championship game that is one step from the Super Bowl.

You know, the big game at the end of January with Roman Numerals

And you know what else: the Rams deserve to be there.

Before a record Dome crowd and nationally televised audience, Sunday's victory justified the Rams' season. Kurt Warner seized the moment as he hit Isaac Bruce for an opening play touchdown. Warner silenced the doubters by completing 27 of 33 passes for 391 yards and five touchdowns (to five different receivers).

St. Louis also addressed a question on how they would respond when losing. Down by three at the half, Tony Horne ran the second half kickoff back for a touchdown. It proved to be the first seven of thirty-five straight points.

Coach Dick Vermeil could not help himself as he opened the post game press conference with the comment "so much for the weak schedule".

The Vikings were a legitimate test. They were one of the few teams the Rams played this season with a larger number on the left side of their win/loss record than on the right side. Yet a loss to Minnesota would result in national criticism. You can hear "I told you So.'s" from the national pundits, who pointed to the soft schedule, had the Rams lost on Sunday.

(Speaking of my local media colleagues, I really hope that throughout this upcoming week, and hopefully throughout the Super Bowl week, St. Louis sports fans will receive reasonable and responsible reporting from their local newspapers, radio, and (especially) television outlets. I stopped counting the number of sports reports that began last week with the phrase: "when the Rams defeat the Vikings on Sunday". I also stopped counting the number of sports reports that used the word "we" in their Rams reports.

Although the official pep rally was last Friday afternoon, the unofficial one was on going as the media love-in was both laughable and irresponsible. My wife summed it up best: "the sports coverage this week has been nothing short of an infomercial for the Rams".

Actually, what she did not see was worse. At Sunday's playoff game against Minnesota there were many local media types in the auxiliary press box hooting and hollering every time the Rams scored a touchdown or recovered a turnover. Aside from being embarrassing, it was highly unprofessional.)

Tampa Bay comes to town this Sunday for the NFC Championship game, and the nightcap of the National Football League's championship doubleheader. At this writing, St. Louis is two touchdown favorites to defeat the Buccaneers at the Dome.

On paper the bookies should be right. Yet, a member of the team said it best after Sunday's game: "the only team that can beat us, is ourselves".

Memo to Coach Vermeil and staff: Please continue to drum into your players that the job is not finished. Constantly remind those folks that the playoffs are still a one loss and out tournament. Instill on your players that they have not won anything yet. Tell them they have yet to play the NFL's best team.

It would be criminal if the Rams come into the NFC Final overconfident and become a live example of the movie "On Any Given Sunday". Rookie quarterback or not, St. Louis has to prepare that Tampa Bay is the best team in the league. Should they make the Super Bowl, the Rams will play the "new" best team in the league the following week.

Sunday's win over the Vikings gave the city of St. Louis some revenge from the 1987 World Series and the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs. More importantly, it brought millions of dollars of revenue and an intangible amount of recognition into the community. All are good things.

The city will have at least one more week of silly bob and weave dancing, of yellow foam noodles, of pep rallies (is there such a thing as a Buccaneer funeral?), and Blue & Gold Fridays. These are also good things that we all should savor. This may or may not come our way again.

It can not possibly be this easy, can it? We will soon find out.

The pick here is the Rams. Get your reservations for Dixie.

One suggestion though, if you are attending Sunday's NFC Championship game, I suggest that you wear some very warm clothing.

Because, as you may recall, it will be a very, very cold day when the Rams make it to the Super Bowl.