DOG: AFC Championship Game Summary

Well, I struggled with writing an analysis of last night's AFCCG and I had one written and it was in depth but probably too deep. Let me start by saying I have never wanted the Steelers to win a game so badly since they were in Oakland for the AFCCG played in January of 1975 prior to Super Bowl X.

1. Troy Polamalu proved why he is the premeire Safety in the game today an why it is not Ed Reed. Three plays come specifically to mind. The pick-6 interception to seal the game obviously. The stuff of Flacco on the QB sneak on 4th & 1 after Willie Parker's fumble. And the tackle of Flacco for a 6 yard loss on a designed QB sweep. There's more but those stand out. He was feeling the Samoan Warrior inside him last night and it showed.


2. Speaking of Ed Reed, did he even make the trip from Baltimore to Pittsburgh? Could have sworn they introduced him on the screen but I can't remember seeing him. Here's Ed Reed in a nutshell. He loves to play centerfield. Catch fly balls and return them for touchdowns. And he's very good at that. He want's no part of run support in any way, shape, or form.


3. Big Ben proved himself yet again last night. People need to stop worrying about his scrambling and improvising and just enjoy the experience of watching Ben Roethlisberger work. Sometimes he gets in trouble holding on to the ball but with risk come rewards. And like my grandmother used to say, "You gotta take the bitter with the sweet." That 65 yard TD to Santonio was as made up a backyard play on both their parts as it gets. Improvisation that results in big plays is a thing of beauty on a football field. Don't believe me? Two words. Immaculate Reception.


4. I knew Terrell Suggs was playing possum with that arm in a sling. I watched him beat Max Starks and Darnell Stapelton both numerous times... with one good arm!


5. The injury to LeRon McClain in the Tennessee game was the one that really had the biggest impact. He was barely used and barely useful when he was used. No running game meant Joe Flacco had to throw and LeBeau had the boys ready and waiting for that.


6. Not only did LeBeau force Flacco to throw. But more specifically he made him throw to the middle of the field. I have, by nature of my proximity to Baltimore, watched almost all the Ravens games this season. And Cam Cameron protected his prize rookie by giving him the sideline patterns to throw. Almost nothing over the middle where sneaky linebackers and safeties could pick him off. All season. But LeBeau took away the sidelines and forced him to to throw over the middle. Result? Three interceptions for a guy who hadn't thrown a pick since (guess when)... that's right, the last Pittsburgh game in December!


7. Hines being out really hurt the offense. But Santonio, to his credit, stepped up.


8. Hines has taught Limas Sweed to block. Perhaps he could teach him how to catch a football.


9. Not worried about Willie Parker's yardage totals. After all he was facing the best defense in the NFL not named the Pittsburgh Steelers.


10. Willis McGahee needs to watch more film... specifically the 2008 Pittsburgh-New England game and specifically Wes Welker over the middle.


11. Once Ryan Clark got up and walked off I was fine with whatever else happened to McGahee. Two things immediately came to mind, "That's what you get for coming over the middle." And the other was, "What do you think about your MF-ing bounty now, bitch?" I can honestly say (and I said this at the time) "I hope he can walk again. But I don't give a good God-damn if he ever plays another down of football."


12. The Ravens paid so much attention to James Harrison that Woodley had a very good game from the other side.


13. Old man DeShea keeps making plays. I figured him for the scrap heap after Super Bowl XL but you just can't keep him out of the lineup. The picks on Flacco and Tony Homo a few weeks earlier were both nice plays.


14. A very very solid game by all (except for the Limas Sweed drop of a sure TD). Even Willie Colon got his weekly penalties out of the way early instead of waiting until Ben throws a TD.


15. Jeff Reed is overlooked for his value to this football team.


16. Mike Tomlin. What can you say? I love this guy. It's official. I'm in the Tomlin camp and I'm not going back. I was on the fence about him for a long time. But ever since I questioned his decision to keep Arians after last season, I have not a single thing to criticize him for. And I love his quotes. My favorite is his answer to a question as to whether he was worried about the timeout John Harbaugh called just before Reed attempted his game winning FG in OT of Ravens game #1 this season. Tomlin replied, "You can't ice a psychopath."


17. Last but not least. Mrs. Dog called to see how the Steelers were doing just as the Ravens had taken over on their 13 with the score 16-14 and needing only a FG to win and 4:29 on the clock. But she was calling from Portugal where it was 3:00AM! I started saying, "We're up two but Baltimore's got the ball and all they need's a field.... Polamalu just intercepted. He's running from one side of the field to the other. He's got blockers. Holy shit he's going to score a TD!!! This game is over." Then I thanked her profusely for making the call.

So on to Tampa to face the Cardinals of Whiz & Grimm. Ironic that the three top candidates for Bill Cower's job all find themselves in the Super Bowl again.