AFC Title Recap

First of all, hope Willis McGahee is ok. That one play pretty much sums up the game.

Wicked hitting and more wicked hitting bordering on dirty. Did he lead with the helmet? Not sure and really don't think he intended to, but damn that hit was ridiculous.

Ultimately the difference was QB play, both D's were awesome, and everyone else kind of played at their normal level, but Ben was good (not great) and Flacco was terrible.

Pittsburgh 23 - Baltimore 14 (I projected 24 - 13, not half bad)

Steelers win, on to Tampa.

AFC Championship Preview

Here we go Steelers...

I HATE it when everyone is on any one team's bandwagon and that appears to be the case this week with the Steelers. Looking at the "expert" picks on ESPN I was shocked to see that EVERYONE picked the Steelers to win.

These teams are close enough to the same that it is foolish to think it can't go either way. The Steelers definitely have the advantage in most of the intangibles primarily home field and health, but those have been overcome many, many times in the past.

I think the Steelers have an opportunity to bury the Ravens quickly with the pass as they will be expecting a heavy dose of Parker. I hope they put up some points early and let the D take it from there.

Final Score
Steelers 24 - Ravens 13

The Perfect Quarter

Fifteen minutes of complete domination, err scratch that... 14 minutes, 43 seconds of complete domination.

What was a game in doubt at halftime became quite literally a one sided affair in the third. The Chargers defense is fortunate the Steelers did not score more, the Steelers defense must be wondering when the NFL switched the games to three periods.

All told Pittsburgh's offensive box score looks like this;

Time of Possession - 14:43
Plays - 25
Points - 7

San Diego?

Time of Possession - :17
Plays - 1
Points - 0

No really, truly..

AFC Championship in Pittsburgh?

Is there any place opponents would rather play in the AFC Championship? If there is they shouldn't.

Since 1994 the Steelers have played in six AFC title games. Five of them have been at home and if they win tomorrow they will host the Ravens. To win they will need to turn around their woeful history in home conference championships where they are a putrid 1-4.

San Diego Preview - Remember 1994

The Steelers are the better team, are playing at home, and have the weather on their side. They should win and in fact I believe they will. All that said, remember 1994, hopefully it humbles but inspires.

On that day the Steelers lost 13 to 17 in heart breaking fashion. Home teams are going down in droves this year, be ready Pittsburgh.

Harrison: Top Defensive Player

James Harrison has won the AP award today beating out DeMarcus Ware and Ed Reed. Harrison wins the award in his second season as a full time starter and continues to get better.

He joins an amazing list of Steeler players to achieve the honor; Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert and Rod Woodson.

If he lives up to that company he is going to something special for awhile to come.

Steelers get Chargers

The dream match up vs the Dolphins would have been nice, but we get the next best thing in San Diego. The Titans drew the tougher match up with Baltimore and I expect to see a Ravens vs Steelers AFC Title game.