AFC Playoffs: Rivalry Rage
January 12th 2011 14:53
Ferocious. Vicious. Fierce. Those are good ways to describe the two AFC playoff games that will be held this weekend. "...It'll be fun," said Ravens QB Joe Flacco. Blood baths always are.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens have become the most behind-the-woodshed rivalry in the NFL. Take one look at guys like Ray Lewis, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, and Haloti Ngata, and you'll understand that. It's two very physical, very high-motored, and very big teams.
With all that being said, that game has seemed to atleast taken the passenger's seat to the game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where whether rain, or shine, or snow, or sleet, or monsoon, there will be football between the Patriots and the Jets. The only thing that may be colder than being at the game may be the icy feelings these teams have for each other. There's no love lost here.
Pittsburgh comes in after their first-round bye to take on a Ravens team that dismantled Kansas City. In terms of what I think they are capable of, and not as a fan, I've been on the Baltimore bandwagon all year. I even picked this team to go to the super bowl before the season started. Do I think New England is better now? Probably. But that doesn't anything away from this team.
As far as Pittsburgh is concerned, well, they aren't. They've had two weeks to prepare for this game, probably having an idea ahead of time who they were going to play. For every reason you can look at Baltimore as a physical team, you can do the same for Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger is the epitome of a tough quarterback, and Mike Wallace bring speed from out of this world.
In the other AFC match-up, the Jets are once again winning, and as always, Rex Ryan is talking trash. Beating Peyton Manning was "personal", and he described beating Pats coach Bill Belichick the same way. But this means even more to him and his players. It's the team that bombarded them for 45 points in their last meeting. Yeah, I'd call that personal.
For the Patriots, it's business as usual, with Belichick and Tom Brady leading the way of what many NFL fans can clearly say, looks like the best team in the NFL. Brady continues to work his magic, no matter who he's throwing to. And with two weeks to prepare, Belichick has probably whipped-up so many different strategic manuevers that his own players might be frustrated.
Two great rivalries, one great weekend. Predictions are tough, but this is who I'm taking. I'm taking the Steelers over the Ravens 20-16, and I'll pick the Patriots 31-21 over the Jets. These will be a great football weekend. It'll be fun watch. Blood-baths always are. Just ask Joe Flacco.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens have become the most behind-the-woodshed rivalry in the NFL. Take one look at guys like Ray Lewis, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, and Haloti Ngata, and you'll understand that. It's two very physical, very high-motored, and very big teams.
With all that being said, that game has seemed to atleast taken the passenger's seat to the game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where whether rain, or shine, or snow, or sleet, or monsoon, there will be football between the Patriots and the Jets. The only thing that may be colder than being at the game may be the icy feelings these teams have for each other. There's no love lost here.
Pittsburgh comes in after their first-round bye to take on a Ravens team that dismantled Kansas City. In terms of what I think they are capable of, and not as a fan, I've been on the Baltimore bandwagon all year. I even picked this team to go to the super bowl before the season started. Do I think New England is better now? Probably. But that doesn't anything away from this team.
As far as Pittsburgh is concerned, well, they aren't. They've had two weeks to prepare for this game, probably having an idea ahead of time who they were going to play. For every reason you can look at Baltimore as a physical team, you can do the same for Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger is the epitome of a tough quarterback, and Mike Wallace bring speed from out of this world.
In the other AFC match-up, the Jets are once again winning, and as always, Rex Ryan is talking trash. Beating Peyton Manning was "personal", and he described beating Pats coach Bill Belichick the same way. But this means even more to him and his players. It's the team that bombarded them for 45 points in their last meeting. Yeah, I'd call that personal.
For the Patriots, it's business as usual, with Belichick and Tom Brady leading the way of what many NFL fans can clearly say, looks like the best team in the NFL. Brady continues to work his magic, no matter who he's throwing to. And with two weeks to prepare, Belichick has probably whipped-up so many different strategic manuevers that his own players might be frustrated.
Two great rivalries, one great weekend. Predictions are tough, but this is who I'm taking. I'm taking the Steelers over the Ravens 20-16, and I'll pick the Patriots 31-21 over the Jets. These will be a great football weekend. It'll be fun watch. Blood-baths always are. Just ask Joe Flacco.
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Comment by Gabe Lock
LopsidedSports
Comment by Seyal
Seyal's Slice of the Universe
Seyal's Adventures in Dog Training
I hope the offense is calling the right plays and Flacco throws the ball like he means it. That ridiculous short-hop ball he threw to lose the game in the 2nd meeting was pathetic. I mean...come on.
And that Jets-Pats game should be tight, and I think it could either be ridiculously high scoring, or surprisingly low scoring. Obviously, the Jets want it low - but you never know.
Sheez, some awesome football coming up - and this is just half of it!
Comment by Dustin Hull
Football Times
Diamond Press