Randy Inman
Bruce Bostwick
James Rickard
jesse-podoll
Robin PottratzRavens/Steelers
January 12th 2009 04:34
Thank you in advance for reading this preview and breakdown of the 2009 AFC championship game. I will do a breakdown section about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. Then I will make my prediction for the 2009 AFC championship game and why that team will win. The Steelers and Ravens played twice in the 2008 NFL regular season. The Steelers won both games by the scores of 23 to 20 and 13 to 9 respectively in two slugfests of defensive play.
Breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers bring a very pedestrian offense to the 2009 AFC championship game. In 2008 the Steelers ranked 17th in the NFL in passing yards and only 23rd in rushing yards. The offensive line has been a troubling spot for the Steelers all season, with Ben Roethlisberger being sacked often and fighting injuries all season.
Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and tight end Heath Miller do give Ben Roethlisberger some decent targets in the passing game, when he has time to throw. But make no mistake about it, this is a rushing team. Willie Parker is healthy after fighting the injury bug during 2008, and Mewelde Moore showed to be a good replacement if needed.
Defense is how the Pittsburg Steelers win games, led by Troy Palamalu and James Harrison this is a spectacular unit. For the 2008 regular NFL season these are the Steelers defensive stats (from NFL.com). They ranked First in points allowed with only 13.9 a game. First in yards allowed per game with 237.2, first in passing yards allowed with 159.6 and 2nd in rushing yards allowed with 80.2 per game.
The key to the Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 AFC championship game is simple. Get a lead and keep it, forcing rookie quarterback Joe Flacco into a passing mode. Rattle the rookie into making mistakes and do not commit any turnovers themselves.
Breaking down the Baltimore Ravens
Rookie head coach John Harbaugh has brought the Ravens to the AFC championship game with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. The Ravens expect Flacco to manage the game and not create turnovers, and let the defense win for them. And this works most of the time. For an breakdown of the 2008 Ravens I wrote earlier in the season, click this link please.
Like the Steelers, the Ravens are a run first team with Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain pounding the pigskin. Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are the wide receivers and are adequate. Todd Heap plays well at tight end but he is suffering from a back injury and may not play in the football game. This is a classic ball control offense with little big pay capability.
For the Baltimore Ravens their big plays come on defense, usually with Ed Reed running back a fumble or interception for a touchdown. Ray Lewis is still a key part of the Ravens defense, as is Terrell Suggs who was injured in the Titans game.
The key to the Ravens beating the Steelers in the 2009 AFC Championship game is don’t turn the ball over. Baltimore does not have the offense to score much so they must take advantage of every opportunity. Joe Flacco must stay calm in what is going to be an ugly Steelers pass rush. On defense they must take advantage of the bad offensive line to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger who has been known to throw the ball up for grabs at time.
Prediction for the 2009 AFC Championship Game
Last week I predicted that whoever won the Ravens/Titans game would be too banged up to win the AFC championship game. I am sticking by that and will predict the Pittsburgh Steelers will defeat the Baltimore Ravens 10 to 6 to go on to the Super Bowl. Too see my prediction for the 2009 NFC Championship game, click this link please.
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Breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers bring a very pedestrian offense to the 2009 AFC championship game. In 2008 the Steelers ranked 17th in the NFL in passing yards and only 23rd in rushing yards. The offensive line has been a troubling spot for the Steelers all season, with Ben Roethlisberger being sacked often and fighting injuries all season.
Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and tight end Heath Miller do give Ben Roethlisberger some decent targets in the passing game, when he has time to throw. But make no mistake about it, this is a rushing team. Willie Parker is healthy after fighting the injury bug during 2008, and Mewelde Moore showed to be a good replacement if needed.
Defense is how the Pittsburg Steelers win games, led by Troy Palamalu and James Harrison this is a spectacular unit. For the 2008 regular NFL season these are the Steelers defensive stats (from NFL.com). They ranked First in points allowed with only 13.9 a game. First in yards allowed per game with 237.2, first in passing yards allowed with 159.6 and 2nd in rushing yards allowed with 80.2 per game.
The key to the Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 AFC championship game is simple. Get a lead and keep it, forcing rookie quarterback Joe Flacco into a passing mode. Rattle the rookie into making mistakes and do not commit any turnovers themselves.
Breaking down the Baltimore Ravens
Rookie head coach John Harbaugh has brought the Ravens to the AFC championship game with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. The Ravens expect Flacco to manage the game and not create turnovers, and let the defense win for them. And this works most of the time. For an breakdown of the 2008 Ravens I wrote earlier in the season, click this link please.
Like the Steelers, the Ravens are a run first team with Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain pounding the pigskin. Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are the wide receivers and are adequate. Todd Heap plays well at tight end but he is suffering from a back injury and may not play in the football game. This is a classic ball control offense with little big pay capability.
For the Baltimore Ravens their big plays come on defense, usually with Ed Reed running back a fumble or interception for a touchdown. Ray Lewis is still a key part of the Ravens defense, as is Terrell Suggs who was injured in the Titans game.
The key to the Ravens beating the Steelers in the 2009 AFC Championship game is don’t turn the ball over. Baltimore does not have the offense to score much so they must take advantage of every opportunity. Joe Flacco must stay calm in what is going to be an ugly Steelers pass rush. On defense they must take advantage of the bad offensive line to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger who has been known to throw the ball up for grabs at time.
Prediction for the 2009 AFC Championship Game
Last week I predicted that whoever won the Ravens/Titans game would be too banged up to win the AFC championship game. I am sticking by that and will predict the Pittsburgh Steelers will defeat the Baltimore Ravens 10 to 6 to go on to the Super Bowl. Too see my prediction for the 2009 NFC Championship game, click this link please.
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