So, it’s already Friday, and no trash-talking (that I’m aware of) from either team.
What gives? I mean, Rex Ryan, Santonio Holmes, surely they have something to add to the discourse, no?
I can say that in Pittsburgh, compared to last week, there’s just been in general a lot less talk about this game than there was about the Baltimore game. At least, it seems that way to me, and I’m not sure why.
It’s the NFC’s turn for division rivalry playoff football.
Cue frozen tundra and oldest rivalry in the game…
Agreed. Also in the papers. The Post Gazette sports page has been almost effusive with respectful colums about the Jets. I think we’re just afraid of jinxing ourselves. Not that I think there’s anything wrong with respectful treatment of the opposing team in the press; in fact, the call to civility in politics could very well spill over into the sports world, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
We have the frozen part here in Pgh., does that count for something?
I think the big AFC question will likely be: which cast-off Cowboys kicker will choke and cost his team the game?
ESPN has 8 picks for Pitt and against. I am superstitious and don’t like when we are favored across the board, so this bodes well.
So, is this going to suffice as the AFC Championship Game thread, or should we start a new one to give consideration to the people who want to root for the Jets? I was leaning towards no, the Jets fans should just hoof it in here, but then this thread will be poisoned with lots of New York nonsense.
Yeah, I think we should start another thread. Anybody game? If it’s not up by Saturday afternoon I’ll take care of it.
Doesn’t really matter – either thread will be irrelevant after this weekend anyway…
Uh huh.
So, which team will you switch to after the Jets are done, Mr. Part-Time Jets Fan?
“Part-Time Jets Fan”? I fricking loathe the Jets. For me, the only thing they have in their favor this week is that they’re not the Steelers.
Actually, I’m torn – if the Steelers win, then my SIL will advance to the Super Bowl in the pool I run, and I’d really like to see that happen. So really, whatever happens, happens. It’s all a contest to see who gets to lose to the Packers anyway.
So Bill Cowher is picking the Jets to win.
He may be basing that too heavily on the record of the previous Steeler head coach, who was 1 and 4 in AFC Championship games at home. Tomlin appears to be able to prepare his team a bit better for big games than the last Steeler head coach.
The Jets are coming off two big wins. They won’t be able to run the ball and they won’t be able to win on Sanchez’ arm. I like our chances in this one. Special Teams could be a problem though with Will Allen and Jason Worilds both getting dinged in recent weeks.
…in a consolation game.
Steelers will dominate on both sides of the ball, giving their NFC opponents whoever they end up being, something to seriously worry about on February 6th.
Chessic Sense’s Keys to the Game:
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Keep the ball. The Steelers will only lose if they beat themselves by turning over the ball. If Ben makes safe throws and Mendenhall wraps up the ball tightly, things will go well.
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Stop the kick return. Need I say more?
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Limit penalties. I’m only tossing this in here because I feel like I need three keys. But this goes back to the “Don’t beat yourself” theory of Key #1.
I’m more worried about this game than the Packers or Bears. I feel like it’s 65/35 to win this game but 75/25 to win the Superbowl, given a victory today. Last week’s Baltimore game felt more like a 52/48, so I suppose the entire playoffs have been backward.
Funny you feel that way, because that is almost precisely the odds split the Steelers are getting today from Accuscore and Football Outsiders.
The big difference between this game and Week 15 is that the Steelers have Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu back. I find myself considering them of equal value today. With (probably) Ward on Revis Island today, the Steelers will need the threat of the short pass across the middle, and Miller gives Ben a really good option for those plays. The Jets get opened across the middle and that opens up both the run and the long pass. Miller didn’t play last game.
Polamalu, well, you guys all know the hype. That hype, however, is real. The Steelers play much better when he is in the lineup, and he also missed the earlier game but will be there today. Dirty Sanchez is going to be looking over his shoulder all day for the linebackers coming for his ass, and he’ll inevitably get sloppy. When he does Polamalu will come down with the ball or come off the end and level him.
The Jets won the last game by 5. 9 of their points involved rare, fluke-type plays (an opening kickoff return for a touchdown and a safety). Absent the special-teams failure in the first 10 seconds of the game, Pittsburgh wins that game. I trust that the special teams problem has been fixed, so I’m very confident in the Steelers’ ability to win this game.
When they do those side-by-side stat charts showing how the Steelers do with Polamalu vs. without the number that jumps out at me first is turnovers. All the numbers are impressive but they have something like 45 turnovers with him vs. 13 when he’s out, over the same number of games. Crazy, but not surprising when you factor in that with him QBs know roughly where everyone will be. When he’s in there the entire defense becomes more shifty.
I’m hoping for a big day from Timmons. He’s been making the tackles but no splash plays. I think he’s due.
I just wanted to pop into this thread to say
“Go Steelers!!!”
(just because my real name is Lynn Swanson) (carry on)
I thought it was Mary Samsonite? Are there many Steelers fans in Aspen?
Super Bowl!!!