AFC Championship game

[Plummer 4 MVP]

Just wondering who everybody thought was going to win the AFC championship game this weekend? I want actual reasons why they are going to win or lose, not just a pick.

[Dward00]

Broncos. It's hard to win in their environment. Something to do with the thin air I think.

I'd like the Steelers to win though.

:thumbsup:

[Dward00]

I think Plummer is a QB who plays better under pressure also. And we all know Pitt is about QB pressure.

And their defense is certainly capable of shutting RothBurger down.

[Eva]

Tough one. The Broncos are at home and I would take their duo of Bell and Anderson over Bettis and Parker at this moment. The Broncos defense played good against the Patriots, but outside of that, not sure who I would pick. The Steelers are on a role taking out the Colts and Bengals. Big Ben has pretty very good in playoff this year. I think it goes without saying that the Steelers defense is on a role after stop two great offensives, granted Palmer was not in there for the Bengals.

I'm pretty much in between, but I'm going to pick the hot Steelers taking down the Broncos. While Denver did win this past week, they really didn't look that impressive to me during the win compare to Steelers win in Indy. If Ben continue playing effective and the defense hold down Anderson and Bell, then I think the Steelers will have a win. The Broncos were not running the ball what so ever during last week game, granted Patriots are good against the run, but regardless, they didn't run the ball all that much last week. They have to run the ball far more this week to win.

Jake has had a great season, but I haven't really seen him do much in a big time game like this. Will he revert to Plummer that throws a ton of INT or will you get the very effective Plummer the Broncos had all season?

[00_Agent]

Plummer plays better under pressure than who? Manning? Does Plummer actually do anything better than Manning?

I'm picking the Steelers. If the Broncos can't run the ball, the game is over. Even if they can, they are going to have to outscore us, which I don't think they can do.

00

[Plummer 4 MVP]

I agree that Manning is better than Plummer, but last time I checked Plummer has beaten the Pats in the playoffs, and Manning has not. The Broncos have a much stronger defense then the Colts, even if ESPN doesn't think so. I think since both teams have great running attacks, and both defenses will be trying to stop the run, it will come down to the passing game and special teams. I saw more game changing plays on special teams last weekend than anything else, how many fumbled punts were there? The Steelers are a dangerous team with a good defense and good quarterback, but don't discount the Broncos defense and quarterback. Remember, they were 13-3 for a reason. I think the difference will be the energy the Broncos feed off of from being at home.

[I Are Baboon]

Steelers, because I frikkin LOVE bacon.

[Spitball67]

This is a tough game to call. Both teams match up very well. Neither has many advantages over the other, personnel wise. I agree with Evangelion that The Broncos RB combo of Anderson/Bell is probably better than Parker/Bettis. Though I feel the Steelers’ D line is better than the Broncos.

Broncos have to use play action effectively and keep a balanced attack on Offense. And on Defense they have to control the run game and get after Roethlisberger with everything they’ve got. They cannot give him time to throw, otherwise he’ll beat them. The Colt’s vaunted pass rush did nothing against Ben and he killed them early. The Broncos have to throw the kitchen sink at Ben and force him into mistakes. And Denver’s great DBs need to play up close and tough against the Steelers WRs.

The Steelers on Offense need to pass to set up the run. And by pass I mean get their TE Miller going early. That will make the Broncos have to commit to covering him and give Pittsburgh some room for the run. And make the Denver LBs play honest. On defense, Pittsburgh cannot go after Plummer they way they did against Manning. Manning may be the better pure passer but Plummer is much better at throwing on the run and scrambling. The Steelers need to keep him in the pocket even if it only means to pressure and contain him and not get many sacks. Pittsburgh’s DBs need to play very disciplined and not drop their coverage at the first sign of Plummer looking like he’s in trouble or going to run. Let the LB’s worry about Jake once he leaves the pocket.

So then we have the “x” factors. Denver is one of the toughest if not the toughest place for a road team to play. They are unbeaten this year at home and have NEVER lost a home AFC Championship game (4-0). That is a huge advantage for the Broncos. The Steelers well, to me they seem like a team of destiny. I get the same feeling about them as I did last year watching the White Sox win the World Series. No matter the situation, they always find a way to win. Think about all of the crazy plays that have happened so far this playoffs involving the Steelers. Is this “team of destiny” stuff all nonsense? Yeah maybe, but whatever works right?

My pick: Steelers 20 Broncos 17

Playoff fact: The Pittsburgh Steelers’ only road win in an AFC Championship game was against the Oakland Raiders 24-13 on 12/29/1974 en route to their first Super Bowl title.

[Dward00]

Plummer plays better under pressure than who? Manning? Does Plummer actually do anything better than Manning?

I'm picking the Steelers. If the Broncos can't run the ball, the game is over. Even if they can, they are going to have to outscore us, which I don't think they can do.

00

'us'? You're on the Steeler's roster? :confused:

EDIT: joking btw....

[Timberwolf]

Broncos mainly because they are at home and the fact that the Steelers will find a way to choke in another conference championship game. Pittsburgh got the best team, but I just think Shanahan will outmanuever Cowher and Cowher will find a way to lose another conference championship game. Denver's defense will rattle Big Ben. I think Plummer will do a better job airing the ball out at the friendly confines of Mile High. I just think the Steelers are bound to dissapoint as usual in these games.

[oriolesmagic]

I really think this one will be a close game. I am going with the Steelers. The main reason is they are on a role and I feel that the RB tandom of Parker & Bettis will wear down the Broncos Defence more then Anderson will tire out the Steelers Defence.

[das&kml]

Besides trying to find ways to predict the outcome of this AFC Championship game, there are also other intangibles that will factor into which team heads to Detriot.
First, Bill Cowher is 1-4 in AFC Championship games, all of which were played in Pittsburgh (so much for the overhyped home-field advantage. Oh, that year, the Steelers beat the Colts to advance to the Super Bowl. Just something to think about.)
Second, the Broncos played in one of the tougher divisions in the NFL, with the Chiefs and Chargers both playoff capable.
However, I think that the blitz package that Denver brings will disrupt any ariel assault that the Steelers plan to use to open the game. The Broncos can go to three running backs (Anderson, Bell, and Dayne) to wear down the Steelers front seven, which is not that deep to begin with.
With that said, I'm going with Denver to advance.

[00_Agent]

yes, I am indeed one of those dorks who refers to the team he/she roots for as "we" and "us" and stuff like that...I've been trying to stop, but it's just a habit at this point...I'm in my 20's and I've been saying it for about 15 years so, you know, it's tough quitting cold turkey. :)

Anway, "we" looked pretty good today, huh?

00

[Dward00]

Yep. Pretty good. Going to the SB. Mindboggling.

[Eva]

Steelers knocked the 1st, 2nd and 3ed seed out of playoff. Damn, never been done before. Congrats to Steelers for playing one hell of a post-season up to this point. Looks like the Seahawks will dispatch the Panthers soon, look like we got a Seahawk and Steeler football. A breath of fresh air, eh?

[Dward00]

If anyone watches the NFL network it means Terrel Davis is going to have to wear Rod Woodsons jersey. I love it.

Rod Woodson was right about his sb picks. He picked Pitt, and Seatle.

[Timberwolf]

A breath of fresh air, eh?

Indeed. I think you got two very good teams out there. It will be fun to watch and they are both easy to root for.

[Dward00]

It should be a big game.

A west-coast team versus Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is probably the most popular football team in the NFL over the past decade.

[Timberwolf]

I never in my wildest dreams would think the Steelers would give the Broncos a whooping let alone winning this game at Denver. I know the Steelers were good, but I figured the Broncos would do fine at home. I am so glad the Steelers pulled this one out. It's good to see Cowher get an opportunity to win a SB and it would be awesome to see Jerome win his SB as he is about to finish a fantastic career.

Steelers did what they did last week. They got big plays from Ben and their defense came up big. Everyone came up huge for the Steelers like last week.

Ben just amazes me everytime I watch him. He just makes play. He has that cool persona about himself. I just like the way he leads his team on the field. This guy is simply money when he is out there throwing the field. You can't tell why the Steelers on offense just look confident when he is on the field. For him to do this in just his second year is sick. He has a great football career ahead of him. He will definitely get lot of SB rings when all is said and done. This guy just has it and it has showed in the playoffs. Ben has like only one loss on the road in his career. You have to be pretty damn good to lose one game on the road in a span of two years. He did a great job in an hostile environment. This is becoming something that he is mastering which bodes well for him and his team for years to come.

Steelers defense made Jake Plummer be Jake Plummer today. Sure Jake did well in the fourth quarter, but the Steelers defense used their trademark play in blitzing Jake all day long. They frustrated him pretty good in the second quarter.

As good as Jake is, I just wonder if Denver can ever get to the promise land with him at QB. It seems he is just like Dilfer. They just want him to throw the ball at the running back and then make a play periodically. You just can't throw the ball to the running back and win games in the postseason. You gotta throw and make plays. I am just not sure if Jake is that guy. Denver got the defense, running game, and the OL, but they may have to upgrade on QB.

I am shocked at how bad Denver played. I thought they would start off well and held on. It wasn't the case. Broncos had a great season. They will definitely be contending for a SB championship. I just don't know if they have the QB to lead the way.

Steelers are simply a special team. They get contributions from everyone. They know how to make plays when they have to. They just get the job done. I wish the Vikings would have a team like that.