AFC Conference Championship, Steelers host the Ravens

Well it has come to this, 2 Division Rivals facing each other for the opportunity to face the NFC Champ in the Super Bowl. Baltimore Ravens went to Tennessee & beat the Ravens in an ugly Defensive battle 13-10. Their prize, go to Pittsburgh & face the red hot Steelers – a team that has already beaten them 2 times this year. Even though the game is in Pittsburgh, this wasn’t the team I wanted the Steelers to face in the AFC Championship game, but I guess it’s better than traveling to Tennessee for it.

For their part, the Steelers played very well in the 2^nd half of last weeks thumping of the San Diego Chargers. The final score of 35-24 really doesn’t depict how much of a blowout it was from the 4^th Quarter on. Wow what a display of hording the ball & clock in the 3^rd Quarter, the Steelers Defense was on the field for less than 30 seconds. A fresh & rested Steeler D is not quite what an opposing team wants to see. Steelers stars showed up & played awesome, & add to that a special teams TD by Santonio Holmes – can’t ask for more in that game. Fast Willie Parker, ran for 146 yards & big Ben had one of his best games of the year, 98.4 QB rating, 65% completion rate, 1 TD & most importantly no picks. Anyone who saw the game, more importantly saw him complete quite a few 3^rd & long pass plays that enabled the Steelers to keep eating the clock & score some points.

Match up of practically mirror image Defenses this week, when Baltimore Ravens come to town. Fortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens Offense isn’t much. Gotta give it to their rookie QB Joe Flacco, who’s yet to throw a turnover in the playoffs – that is superb.

No turnovers allow them to turn the game back to their strength, their Defense. Fortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens are banged up. Their starting cornerback Samari Rolle is likely out, & their Star Defensive End Terrell Suggs is a game time decision due to his shoulder injury sustained in Tennessee last week.

Vegas have the Steelers favored by 6 points, wow – that is a lot. Both games this year were won by 3 & 4 points. With this many great Defensive players playing on both sides, should be another blood & guts game (always is when these 2 teams play). Very physical game, is an understatement – the Defense for both teams are 1 & 2 in the NFL & are very very aggressive. Fortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens injuries, playing 3 straight games while Steelers took a 2 week hiatus, home Steeler cooking – I see all those advantages being used by the Steelers which allows the Steelers to reach the Super Bowl in Tampa this year. Next question is, will they face their Pennsylvania brothers of Philly Eagles or the Arizona Cardinals.

Home cooking will help the Steelers mightily, as seen below Steelers faithful waving the Terrible Towels in Pittsburgh.