This goes without saying, but holy freaking shit these are some incredibly attractive-looking games.
Both are rubber matches of a split regular season series, both with plenty of healthy disdain for each side from the opposition, and the winner of both will probably be pretty wiped out once they’re reminded that this wasn’t the Super Bowl after all. Oh well, at least it’ll be fair in that way.
We’re going to stick with the same format as the Wildcard round, this time with a quick recap on last weekend’s winners and a formal, elegant introduction to the teams who think they’re soooooo cool because of that first round bye.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ravens-Steelers Date, Time, and TV: Saturday, January 15th at 4:30 on CBS
- Ravens-Steelers Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Ravens-Steelers Point Spread: Steelers -3
- Ravens-Steelers Over-Under Odds: 36.5
Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
How they got here: After playing a fairly even first half, Baltimore sort of just watched Kansas City implode right before their eyes on the way to a 30-7 win. Of course, their steady, churning offense helped; and that defense, while forcing five turnovers and allowing only 161 total yards, was probably never all that challenged or concerned.
Courtesy of AP Photo/Jeff Tuttle
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): Terrell Suggs. And I pretty much mean whoever is pass-rushing Ben Roethlisberger, but since Suggs seems to be on television and in block quotes a lot, I’ll go with him (Media influence!). Anyway, if Big Ben, when pressure comes, is going to do his usual shtick of nearly falling down 13 times, scrambling back and forth from sideline-to-sideline only to find just enough time to launch a perfect 63-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, or a key first down on third and 11, the Ravens will have no one to blame but themselves, or the referees. The key here, then, is that when they’ve got a shot at him, Baltimore must finish the play and get the sack.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Joe Flacco. I said the entire Ravens offense last week, so I hope this is technically different enough. He already went into Pittsburgh earlier this year and engineered a game-winning drive, right? So what’s the deal? I’m here to tell you that I don’t really know what the deal is, and I’m sorry. It could be the playoff beard, but it’s more likely the feeling I have that the Pittsburgh defense can toy with him for as long as they choose, but at almost any point could ratchet up their pressure to levels beyond comprehension. Flacco does seem to have a killer left-hand, though.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: If Edgar Allan Poe were alive today, as a symbolic gesture from the organization, he would be serving as the Baltimore Ravens Director of Public Relations. It would be going just as well as you’d think.
Honest expectation, modified because of last week’s win: As a team that’s just been kind of loitering around the AFC’s best for the last few seasons, yelling at them as they pass by, the Ravens need a victory in this one to take that mythical Next Step. A win could do that, and, maybe more importantly, serve as a reminder that there are, in fact, bigger games in the world other than “games against the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
How they got here: Won the AFC North division because they took care of all the games they had to; all four of their losses came at the hands of playoff teams. Weathered the quarterback storm until Roethlisberger returned. Played superb defense and displayed an explosive offense. Wore blue collars and hard hats; carried around lunch pails.
Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): Troy Polamalu. Because he usually does anyway. A friend recently made the statement that if Polamalu were healthy all the time, he could probably win Defensive Player of the Year annually. Aside from last year, this doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Definitely not last year, though.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): The pass defense. Does this make sense after choosing Polamalu above? Truth be told, I wasn’t sure what else to pick; this seems like a pretty complete team. But yes! That damn pass defense: In most of the games they have lost, plays have been made against them in the passing game (Granted, two were against Tom Brady and Drew Brees), and the Baltimore offense does feature plenty of receiving threats. If the Steelers are being exposed in the secondary, it also means they’re not getting to the quarterback or relying on their top-rated rush defense. Those are two things they’d probably rather be focusing on.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: In reality, Mike Tomlin actually is Omar Epps, and we’re all just living inside one big sports movie.
Honest expectation: Coming out of this AFC gauntlet won’t be easy, and Pittsburgh must again survive its arch rivals, but they could be the best all-around team in the league. A Super Bowl appearance is without question an expectation.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
- Jets-Patriots Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, January 15th at 4:30 on CBS
- Jets-Patriots Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Jets-Patriots Point Spread: Patriots -8.5
- Jets-Patriots Over-Under Odds: 45.5
New York Jets (12-5)
How they got here: Led on a game-winning drive by the likely duo of Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards with under a minute to play, the Jets outlasted the Indianapolis Colts, 17-16. Talked a bunch of grandiose smack. Made everything personal.
Photo courtesy of the AP.
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): The LaDainian Tomlinson/Shonn Greene combo. Now this one, I know I had last week. But look at their combined numbers: 35 carries, 152 yards, 4.3 yards/carry, 2 touchdowns. New York also won the time of possession statistic, 33:07-26:53. The more clock they can control by running means a little less stress (presumably, though I’m sure he’s not lacking of it) on Sanchez and however many less snaps for Tom Brady. Also: I should probably come up with a new format for next week.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Antonio Cromartie. Well, he has at least placed himself on a slide under the microscope, a la Anthony Smith. Any potential miscues on Sunday are going to appear a little bit larger. Either way though, his quotes were funny (it’s the playoffs, it’s time for some swearing!), and at least it wasn’t Rex Ryan for once.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: The team’s nickname was originally spelled “Jhetts,” but that was soon nixed when it became obvious it wasn’t as readily chant-able. Plus, the “h” really threw people off.
Honest expectation, modified because of last week’s win: If New York can keep this game around 17, like they did with the Colts, then who knows? If New England’s score reaches the 30′s area, and they haven’t committed a bunch of turnovers, the Jets will probably not be in good shape.
New England Patriots (14-2)
How they got here: Lost an early season game to the Jets and a puzzling one in early November to the Cleveland Browns. After that, Bill Belichick locked the doors to the facility, threw the keys in a sewer drain and they haven’t lost since. In what feels like three years ago, traded Randy Moss. Possess two young, talented, tight ends; were you aware? Scrappiest team alive, ever.
Globe Staff Photo / Matthew J. Lee
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): Vince Wilfork. In conjunction with my positive impact players for the Jets, Tomlinson and Greene, Wilfork will be the big mass of human smack dab in the middle of trying to shut them and the New York running game down. Shut down the rushing attack, force Sanchez to beat you, yadda yadda yadda, AFC Championship game.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Pass protection. Brady wasn’t sacked much in the regular season, and the Jet didn’t exactly light up Peyton Manning last week, but one would have to figure New York is going to try and pressure Brady. If the pass protectors can’t hold up, the playing field will be closer to level.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: Punter Zoltan Mesko has become an underground culinary hero for what is called “the best guacamole in the NFL.” When your name is Zoltan Mesko, you can pretty much do whatever it is you want and people will think it’s cool, even punt or make guacamole.
Honest expectation: It would appear that if the Patriots avoid any crucial toe-stubbings, they should have enough firepower to overcome their plucky friends from New York. They’re the favorites around the league, but it won’t be a cakewalk from here on out, no sirree. Things just seem too good to be true right now, don’t they? And that is analysis.
Coming soon: The NFC Divisional Playoff Preview.
Email: griffingotta@gmail.com
