(1) The Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry is the number one rivalry in the league without question. It all starts with the similarities between how both teams like to go about their business. They both pride themselves on having tough, hard-hitting defensive units that disguise coverages and bring pressure from different angles in an attempt to confuse the opposing offense. The Steelers have a defensive legacy going back to the Chuck Noll-coached teams of the 1970’s, but the Ravens have quickly built their defensive reputation behind the ferocious play of players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs and the innovative play-calling of their ex-defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan. The result of both team’s defensive focus is that no yard is easily gained and points are extremely difficult to come by. Sunday night’s game was no different as it was defined by Suggs’ relentless play for four quarters and Troy Polamalu’s strip-sack in the fourth quarter that led to the game-winning points for Pittsburgh.
With the defenses leading the way, the match-ups between these two teams have become the most hotly contested games in the NFL. The games are so close that each team has scored 67 points over their last four encounters and each team has two victories during that span. Moreover, the last six games between these two titans of the NFL have all been decided by four points or less. As if the general competitiveness of this series is not enough, these two teams ratchet up the intensity with an utter disdain for the other side. They genuinely do not like each other, which usually leads to a lot of chippiness and extracurricular activities before, during and after each play. The deeper layer of emotion that surrounds this match-up has made it must-watch television for several years now. The latest round didn’t disappoint because both teams were fighting to gain the inside track to the AFC North title and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers escaped with the huge victory because of two guys that lived up to their reputations as Ravens-killers. The first was Ben Roethlisberger, who improved his career record against Baltimore to 8-2, including the playoffs. More importantly, Big Ben won his sixth consecutive start against the Ravens and further established himself as their biggest nemesis. Despite a re-aggravated foot injury and a broken nose sustained on the first drive of the game, Roethlisberger produced a gutsy performance that included throwing the game-winning touchdown inside of three minutes left in the game. In fact, Big Ben’s biggest play of the game came before the touchdown toss when he fended off Terrell Suggs just long enough to throw the ball out of bounds and avoid a sack. The sack-avoiding play saved Pittsburgh from a nine-yard loss and set-up the winning play. In addition to Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu made the play of the game to strip the football from Joe Flacco’s grasp, which ultimately gave the Steelers the football on the Baltimore nine-yard line. Polamalu’s well-timed blitz could be the biggest play in Pittsburgh’s regular season. It also could be the sequence that gives Pittsburgh at least one postseason game at Heinz Field and potentially a first-round bye. The Ravens should have known that Polamalu was going to be the guy that made the big play because he was the same man that iced the Steelers’ 2008 AFC Championship with a 40-yard interception return against the Ravens. Unfortunately, for Baltimore fans, they allowed history to repeat itself on Sunday night and they are still left trying to find answers for the dynamic duo of Roethlisberger and Polamalu.
(2) The final four weeks of the NFL season should provide the most excitement that we have seen in quite awhile. Every division, with exception of the AFC West, has two teams tied for the division lead or the second place team just one game back in the standings. In fact, we have 18 teams that are still within two games of the division lead. The result of all this parity is that most, if not all, division-leading teams will be playing meaningful games through week 17 as opposed to years past when the stakes had been locked up in week 15 and teams were allowed to rest their players down the stretch. The next four weeks are going to be even more exciting because six out of the eight divisions still feature games between the first place and second place teams. Next week, division-leading Kansas City travels to San Diego to face-off against the Chargers in what amounts to an elimination game for the Bolts. After blowing an opportunity to get revenge over Oakland this past week, the Chargers have literally no margin for error going forward. In week 15, we get to see rematches between Jacksonville and Indianapolis and Philadelphia and New York. Both the Jaguars and Eagles will likely be playing to clinch their respective division titles, so both games should contain the requisite amount of intensity. The difficult part is that both squads will have to win on the road in order to be division champs. Under normal circumstances, the road obstacle would be an ominous sign for the visiting squads, but I actually like Jacksonville and Philly in these games. The Giants have been mediocre in the sterile environment of their new stadium and the Colts have lost two home games in a row and are notoriously horrible stopping the run. In week 16, we get the pleasure of watching a titanic showdown between New Orleans and Atlanta on Monday night football. The Saints will be trying to repeat as NFC South champions and the Falcons will be looking to extend their home dominance. As I’ve said before, I don’t bet against Matt Ryan at home. Finally, in week 17, the season culminates with possibly three games with division title stakes involved. The day starts with Chicago visiting Green Bay and Oakland traveling to Kansas City. The day ends with St. Louis heading to Qwest Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Ultimately, the winner of all these great games will be the fans of the NFL that get to sit back and watch it all play out.
(3) Week 13 News and Notes:
• I’m a little confused about how the NFL is handling discipline of on-the-field behavior that violates league rules. It seems like they are intent on fining James Harrison if he so much as breathes aggressively on an opposing player, but they completely missed Ben Roethlisberger getting his nose rearranged by Haloti Ngata’s gigantic paw. In addition, they don’t penalize the Ravens for a bone-jarring hit on Heath Miller that lead to a concussion, but Ed Hochuli’s crew calls one of the most dubious roughing the passer penalties on Ndamkung Suh that I have ever seen. Let’s not forget the slaps on the wrist that Richard Seymour, Courtland Finnegan and Andre Johnson received for fighting. The league might want to get everyone on the same page before they lose even more credibility with its fans and players.
• Speaking of the players, what are we to make of the leaked internal letter that instructed players to save their last three paychecks in anticipation of an NFL lockout? The letter referenced a union deadline that had passed to resolve the labor dispute, so it is logical to believe that the union has resolved itself to dissolution and litigation instead of negotiation. It is unfortunate that the letter saw the light of day because both sides had just concluded their most promising negotiation session just a couple of weeks prior giving fans everywhere hope that the 2011 season would proceed uninterrupted.
• I believe that Eric Mangini has bought himself at least one more season as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Despite enduring the third-worst quarterback situation in the NFL, Mangini’s Browns have been competitive in nearly every game this season except for the 18-point drubbing they received at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the process, they likely have identified answers at quarterback, running back, offensive line and tight end. Can offensive-minded Mike Holmgren acquire the defensive components to push Cleveland into playoff contention next season?
• Four issues that have become crystal clear after week 13:
1. The Texans, Bengals and Broncos will all be looking for new head coaches this offseason.
2. The Detroit Lions are the most snake-bitten team of 2010. First, the touchdown catch that wasn’t in week one. Second, Jason Hanson’s injury that forced Suh to kick extra points, which led to loss against New York. Finally, the questionable unnecessary roughness penalty against Suh that allowed the Bears to escape once again.
3. The Colts will not make the playoffs this year. Too many injuries plus a non-existent running game equals no significant football in January for Indianapolis.
4. The best coaching job of the year goes to Jack Del Rio for getting his Jaguars into first place despite having one legitimate playmaker (Maurice Jones-Drew) and a suspect defense.
