Who'll Win The AFC Championship?

[nanookfan]

Well? Patriots or Steelers?

[GoSiouxHockey]

Not even close. This is gonna be a BLOWOUT.

Pats-41
Steelers-3

[nanookfan]

Myself, I think the Steelers win in a very close game. These teams are quite similar. Consider:

QB - Tom Brady vs. Ben Roethlisberger - The best way you can describe these two guys is efficient. They both have done what it takes to win in games this year. Neither of these guys will make you forget about the great QBs of years gone by, but you can't argue with the results. In my mind, the big question mark is will Roethlisberger play like a rookie this weekend? Brady is a proven playoff QB. Big Ben is a rookie...big question mark.

RB - Cory Dillon/Kevin Faulk vs. Jerome Bettis/Deuce Staley - If either team can get 100 yards out of their primary back, they are probably going to win. Both teams will want to pound the ball, eat up the clock, and punch the ball in. I think as a 1-2 punch, the Steelers might have a slight edge. Dillon is as good as either of the Steelers backs, but I don't think Faulk is as good as either of the other Steelers backs.

WRs - Tough call. The Patriots don't have any marquee names, but make no mistake, the WRs catch the ball and do the job. The Steelers have two very good receivers in Buress and Ward.

TEs - Even in my mind.

Offensive Line - Both teams have a good line in terms of both run blocking and pass blocking.

Defensive Line - Again both teams are very similar. This area would be a toss up.

Linebackers - This group could be the key to the game. With a lot of running the ball, this group will hopefully be filling the holes in the line and making a lot of tackles close to the line of scrimmage. Honestly, both groups are probably about equal.

Secondary - Say what you will about the Patriots secondary being banged up. They shut down Manning and his great receivers. If they can do that, I have to think they'll find a way to do the same thing to the Steelers receivers. As for the Steelers, they were able to cover T.O. and the Eagles receivers and shut them down. I think they can do the job.

Of note: Last weekend, last weekend, neither team's defense gave up a touchdown. The Jets TDs were scored on returns (1 INT return, and one punt return). The Patriots didn't give up a TD.

Special Teams - It's hard to argue against Adam Vinatieri, but for the Patriots sake, they better hope that all he has to do is kick extra points and kickoffs. Stay away from the FGs if they want to win. As for the Steelers, one of the two Jets TDs was on a punt return. They'll probably have worked at that this week. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this weeks game turned on a special teams play.

Coaching - Again, these are about even. It's hard to argue with Belichek or Cowher.

Both teams can ill-afford turnovers.

My gut tells me that this will be a low scoring, hard fought, game. 17 points could well win this game.

My gut says Pittsburgh 17-14. Perhaps even in OT.

[gounhwildcats]

In a game between a team that is LEARNING how to win, versus a team that KNOWS how to win, go with the team that knows how to win everytime. Pats by a field goal.

Wildcatsfan4ever

[Strokey]

Patriots 27-17. If NE can stop Manning, they can stop a rookie. Close game early, Pats pull away at the end and face Atlanta in the Super Bowl.

[dropthatpuck]

Myself, I think the Steelers win in a very close game.

Just based on the results of your "political match" picks, I'd have to take you up on this one. :D

[FiveHole12]

Coaching - Again, these are about even. It's hard to argue with Belichek or Cowher.
You were doing pretty good unitl you got here, nanook.
When has Bill Cowher ever won a big game?
He's probably already ordered the Super Bowl Champion rings though. :D

[CommAvHusky]

The Patriots will win 42-3.

[pucksntape]

It won't be NFL MVP Manning and his Colts! :D :D :D

The New England Patriots 27 - 20

[Jon]

Not even close. This is gonna be a BLOWOUT.

Pats-41
Steelers-3


Don't think so... although it would be nice to see... :)

[Brenthoven]

The Steelers, because the Patriots don't have any Pro Bowlers, therefore they are teh suck.























hee hee, that should get something going. :D

[NUJerseyJohn]

I think you'll know who will win after the first quarter (and not like you did on Halloween). If the Steelers are able to run the ball, then they will win, because despite the Pats good LBs, Bettis and Staley are more than good enough to allow for Roethlisberger's "rookie moments" and still win the game. On the flip side if the Pats can stop the Steelers running game (which few teams if any have been able to do), then Big Ben won't be able to carry the team himself.

Having said all that, I am deferring to the 13-0 record Belichick has when facing a team for the second time in a season for this pick: Patriots 20, Steelers 17

[Jon]

How can Bellichik be 13 when facing an opponent twice in one season if he lost the second game against Miami this year?

[gscott13]

How can Bellichik be 13 when facing an opponent twice in one season if he lost the second game against Miami this year?

Jay Fiedler played in the first game and AJ Feeley played in the second

[pucksntape]

The Patriots will win 42-3.

:confused: 42-3?! :eek: You smoking crack? ;)

[davearc609]

Patriots win 17-13.

[Rimbaud]

How can Bellichik be 13 when facing an opponent twice in one season if he lost the second game against Miami this year?

I don't think that's the stat. I thought it was 13-0 when seeing a quarterback the 2nd time. :confused:

[gscott13]

I don't think that's the stat. I thought it was 13-0 when seeing a quarterback the 2nd time. :confused:

that's correct... 13-0 when facing a qb for the second time.

[CatMan UNH]

Cowher and Belichick even??? As John Mcenroe says "you cannot be serious", and I also give Brady a big edge in the QB department.

Pats 21-10