AFC Championship

[RedsFan75]

very closely resembled war last night.

[WVRed]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

The difference in the game was under center -- Roethlisberger made the plays required of him (and then some), while Flacco made mistakes and looked exactly like every other rookie QB who has seen time in a Conf. Championship game.

Sets up a VERY interesting Super Bowl, IMO.

Flacco this year reminded me of Big Ben his rookie year. Very similar.

[Chip R]

So, does someone collect the bounty on Hines Ward?

[timothy1]

That was a fun game to watch... hope the Super Bowl will be just as fun.

[RedsBaron]

Originally Posted by timothy1

That was a fun game to watch... hope the Super Bowl will be just as fun.

I hope so...but I expect a Steelers rout unfortunately.

[SteelSD]

Originally Posted by RedsBaron

I hope so...but I expect a Steelers rout unfortunately.

I'm not sure that's going to be the case, although the Cardinals have been riding on a +9 turnover rate throughout the playoffs. It's interesting because even though Arizona's defense isn't very good against either the pass or the run, they did force 30 Turnovers during the regular season and then another 9 in the playoffs. The Cards were tied for fifth in the NFL during the regular season in that category. Given their proficiency in the Playoffs, Arizona would rank 2nd in the NFL in Turnovers forced per Game at 2.21, only slightly behind Baltimore's 2.26 TO/G.

The Cardinals are a proficient passing offense that can take advantage of both a short and long field. Should Pittsburgh give the Cardinals a short field to work with at any point, the Cards might not miss any opportunities to score. The Cardinals aren't anything resembling a good rushing team, but with a trio of Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston, they have the top trio of receivers in the game and can replicate the running game they'll likely be missing by using short crossing routes through the Pittsburgh zone defense. It's how they neutralize the blitz so Dick Lebeau is going to have to mix things up a bit more than normal and their front three is going to have to generate a tremendous push up the middle to compensate.

While Kurt Warner is immobile as all get out, he releases the ball as quickly as any QB in the game. If the Arizona offensive line gets away with the kind of holding we've seen while others have tried to block James Harrison, it could be a long day for that Pitt defense.

And the Pittsburgh punting game sucks. It's sucked all year. If Pittsburgh loses this game, it might be because Daniel Sepulveda tore his ACL in July and Pittsburgh was never able to find an acceptable replacement. Mitch Berger needs to have the game of his life. Anything else could be crippling.

Finally, the ultimate wildcard is whether or not Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm can anticipate and properly evaluate Pittsburgh's defensive looks. As defense is consistently reactive to a proactive offense, it might mean an early-game lead for the Cards. I would suggest that this is not a game where Mike Tomlin should defer if he wins the coin toss. Pittsburgh has the talent (if healthy) to catch up, but they can't make a single mistake if they get behind by 10 points or more. If they do, it'll likely be a rout in the other direction.

[deltachi8]

Very nice post, Steel.

I tend to look at these games by looking at the elite player or players on each team. Which elite players are most likely to swing the game to their team.

Arizona has Fitzgerald.
Pittsburgh has Harrison and Polamalu.

Can Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden and the Steeler secondary slow down Fitzgerald (I think it is impossible to shut him down)?

Can Arizona keep Harrison out of the backfield and the ball away from Polamalu?

Those could be the differences in the game.

[Hoosier Red]

ugh,

That game really felt like a Bengals game. I was rooting for Baltimore, and when Pittsburgh put themselves up by two scores, I thought, "game over, the Ravens will get one more touchdown, but they'll get no closer. Then they're will be a soul crushing touchdown that puts it out of reach."

I think this is one thing the Steelers do though, they "bengalize" the other team to the point where you know its not going to be a blowout, but you know you're not going to win either.

[Slyder]

Just on ESPN Clark isnt going to be fined for that monster hit on McGehee.

McGehee is expected to make a full recovery from a concussion.

And this just in....

They both got JACKED UP!

[NJReds]

Originally Posted by Slyder

Just on ESPN Clark isnt going to be fined for that monster hit on McGehee.

He shouldn't be fined. That was a brutal collision but a legal hit.

But the player on the Eagles (Demps?) that layed out Warner when no play was going on should be suspended and fined heavily. That was the definition of cheap shot.

[deltachi8]

Originally Posted by Slyder

I absolutely LOVED the game tonight. As a Raider fan I have animosity with both franchises but I respect each franchise. The Steelers/Raiders matchups of the 70s were almost always classics and drew so much to the NFL. The Ravens walked into the Black Hole and knocked our teeth out in 2000. I came into the game pump ready to see great hard hitting football and I did not leave disappointed.

Last night on NFL Network they had a show on the 1975 Steelers and showed the playoff battles with the Raiders in the 70's.

Last Sunday's Steeler-Ravens game was fierce, but it did not compare to those games. Great work by NFL Films/Network.

[TeamSelig]

worst super bowl ever coming up?

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by NJReds

He shouldn't be fined. That was a brutal collision but a legal hit.

If McGahee were a QB, he would have been fined.

[NJReds]

Originally Posted by Chip R

If McGahee were a QB, he would have been fined.

Maybe. I doubt a QB would be running full speed across the field with his head down. I don't think Clark left his feet, and he led with his shoulder.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by TeamSelig

worst super bowl ever coming up?

If you mean purely in terms of matchup, I think New York v. Baltimore has it beat -- if you just want to look at recent history.

As for boring game? I think Tampa Bay v. Oakland (putting aside my rooting interest bias for a second) will still beat this one out in terms of lopsided affairs.