Assuming the Ravens beat the Titans (a very big assumption) I prefer the Chargers. Emotionally, beating Pittsburgh would be great but they beat us twice for a reason and it wasn't just bad refereeing.

Much as I’d like to wipe that grin off of Ward’s face, this is business and getting a shot at the Lombardi trophy is more important than revenge. I think the Ravens have a better shot at beating the Chargers. And it would be great to have an Iggles-Ravens Super Bowl. Harbaugh vs. Reid and all that. Plus they would be easier than the Giants or the Panthers. Unless the Cardinals get through. Then I want them.

Talk about how full circle that would be- if the Ravens played the Eagles in the Superbowl. "THE TEAM THAT FORCED REID TO BENCH MCNABB!" There would certainly be storylines there.

As far as a rematch- I like the parallels between now and the 2000 season as far as playing the Titans in the divisional round and then going out west to play an afc west team for the afc crown...BUT....
I think I'd rather go thru Pittsburgh. I know emotional victories don't matter- but it'd almost be like cheating to win the Superbowl and not have to beat them once. It would be a very tough pill to swallow to lose to them again- but hey- if they can beat us a 3rd time- maybe they deserve another Lombardi trophy.

I know one thing's for sure- a Lombardi trophy that went thru Pittsburgh would almost be like having won it twice!

Yeah I want the Steelers. Joe had a mediocre game I agree. He usually follows with a big game.Did antone see that throw to Mason? 30 yards to the sideline, only 1 place he coulda threw it. Derrick does a ray Berry draag and its good. We got a good one Ravens, Ozzie does it again.

Coming home from bball practice last nite, I asked my son and I discussed this very topic. We both think how fitting it would be to be able to knock off three of the four teams that beat the Ravens this year. 1st the Titan's.That was the first game where I think alot of people felt like we were robbed on a bad call.2nd, the steelers(notice the lower case s).I really feel that they do not want to face the Ravens.They realize they "got away"with two wins.last the Giants.How fitting it would be for a Tampa rematch of the 2000SB. And of course the same out come.

I don't root the Steelers for nothing!Let them wipe some tears with those terrible towels.SD will have better weather,too.

I'm quite sure that everyone would like to get our hands on the Steelers. But now is not the time. If we beat the Titans, the Superbowl is in our grasps. And I think that the path to it is much easier going through SD than Pittsburgh.

As a Steeler fan I really dig the respect Ravens fans have for Pittsburgh. Rest assured the feeling is mutual. If there's any team I "hate" it' the Ravens but the respect is huge.
That said, I'm definitely rooting for the Titans. Next season is soon enough to play the Ravens again. Plus, the Steelers have a score to settle with Tennessee.

Who cares, it is not like they ask you,"Hey guys , who would you like to play next week?" You have to play who they tell you to play. Harbaugh has exactly the right attitude when it comes to things like this . Boy if this isn't a writers question, you would never hear an athlete or a coach even consider something likethis!

Hands down it is the Steelers. Besides beating them in a game where the officiating does not make the difference, traveling to Pittspuke instead of the west coast would be easier on a team that did not get a bye week. The brief travel to western PA would be better for this team than going to San Diego. However, we wouldn't have to worry about C-Mac breaking curfew in San Diego this time, assuming he shows up to support the team.

OOS! left out THIS part, however if it weren't for questions like this what the heck would you guys write about day after day, you have to come up with something!

Kudos, Mr. Connelly, if it weren't for questions like this guys like me would not respond to the column, so it did get the desired result, job well done sir!!!

Coffee, cream & sugar please and thanks for setting Rich straight on the Regis thing.

Would I want to play the Steelers if we advanced to the Championship game? Oh yeah baby. The last time we played them, my wife's friend (no longer) wore a Roethlisberger jersey in my home (since banned) and made her 3 year old son wear one as well. The really sad part is the father, a Baltimore native, let her!!! But then again, he hasn't grown a pair since he said "I do" years ago.

The 3rd time is almost always the charm.....and to do it up there will be the icing on the cake. But hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

Let me buy Ian a drink to celebrate the big 25 and let me buy Rich a drink, preferably a pink lady, so he can sip it while he's watching Regis.

The Steelers for one reason and one reason only, traveling distance. The Ravens are football players. They want to play football, anytime, any where, anybody, and I am with them. Bring on the last man standing. Although I think the Steelers would be a easier opponent, we will just be happy to show up when and where they say.

As far as being dissed on the awards. the Rookie of the year awards are meaningless, and the chosen award winners deserved their selection. Harbaugh is Coach of the Year around here, and we are smarter than any fans or sports writers around the country. Ed Reed is different and puzzling. But he is king around here, and self confident enough to know how important and talented he really is. Ed's not only a great player, he is C O O L.

Much as I hate to say it, I'd like to see the Ravens play Pittsburgh. I don't see them beating us a third time.

I could not handle the stress. As much as I would love to kick some Steeler but at Heinz field, the thought of losing to them a third time is too much. Remember how sick we all felt after we lost the home playoff Colt's game? As bad as that was, losing to the Steelers with the Super Bowl on the line would be worse.

Let's take it just one game at a time. It is bad luck to look ahead. And yes if the Ravens lose this weekend, I may balme you at this point.

OK, I'm old. I vividly remember the old Steeler - Raider rivalry from the 70's. The winner of these AFC championship games always went on to win the super bowl. The teams were by far the most physical and feared in the league. Those were the days. But now we have the opportunity to have those days back, my Raven fan friends. I sincerely hope for a Steeler - Ravens rematch in the AFC championship game. The winner will certainly deserve a Lombardi. Good luck to you THIS week.

No....HE** NO!!!! Not that it wouldnt be great to beat the crap out of them but that would mean I'd actually have to root for them to win a game. I want them 0-16 every year. I want Steelers fans dismal and decimated. I wish nothing but ill for the franchise.

Good morning, Dan! Isn't it wonderful how when the local team is doing well it can brighten even a rainy day?

I don't know how "easy" it would be to play the Chargers if they are able to go into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers. That would give them six wins in a row, pretty much all of them "must" wins just to get into the playoffs and keep going. That would qualify them as a hot team, not somebody you want to be facing in their home stadium with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

I'd like to see the Ravens play and beat the following three teams in order: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, and NY Giants. The reasons? For one, there would be no talk about a cheap victory all along the run to the title. For another, it would mean that the Ravens defeated every team they played at least once during the season except the Colts.

Let's face it, if you want to win the title you can't be afraid of playing anybody. If the Steelers can beat the Ravens three times in one season, then more power to them, they would deserve to be the champs.

Having said all that, I think this Saturday's game in Nashville will give the Ravens all they can handle. They will need to have continued success at forcing turnovers, minimize turning the ball over themselves, and maybe get a good bounce somewhere along the way. But my belief in the team continues to grow because they are a TEAM now, not a collection of players divided along any lines such as offense or defense.

You Ravens fans better remember the Titans!!

I'm originally from western PA but I've lived in Baltimore for the last 20 years and this is my home. While I'd love to see the Steelers and Ravens play one more time for all the marbles, I have to think the Ravens would rather play the Chargers. I don't think you want to play the most mentally tough team in this situation....and that's the Steelers who find a way to win those grind-it-out games. Honestly, deep in my heart, I'm a Steelers fan (can't help it!) but I do respect the Ravens and this city would just go BERSERK if they win. That would be sweet.

If we're talking about a replay of the 2000 the season, then the Ravens should go West for the AFC championship.

I AM A HUGE STEELERS FAN AND I WILL BE AT THE GAME ON SUNDAY BUT I WILL BE TUNED FOR THE TITANS V RAVENS ON SATURDAY. I CANNOT STAND THE RAVENS BUT I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THEM ON HOW THEY PLAY THE GAME. GOOD LUCK RAVENS FANS ON SATURDAY BUT IF WE MEET FOR THE THIRD TIME; I WILL NOT BE WISHING YOU ANY LUCK

Hey Dan,

Happy New Year! What is wrong with Regis. He's just a good ole American with good old American values, who has a clean entertaining show in the morning for the last 40 years. He is also a sport who would not put the great Q-B John Elway disgracefully in the bathroom with the likes of Irsay because he is grossly misinformed. About "the view", I don't know what your talking about. Since they took Imus off the air, Regis is about the only show I can stomach anymore except sports. Although I must say I did see Regis new show Password the other night, and it really did almost make me throw up. It was terrible. Ok so maybe it's the good wholesome Kelly I like.

This idea that a team cannot be beaten three times is silly. Wins are not correlated but only seem to be. If the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is such that the steelers win 60% of the time while the Chargers-Ravens match is such that the chargers win 40% of the time, then it is irrelevant that the Ravens have not yet played the Chargers but have lost twice to the Steelers. You want to play the Chargers, if you are a Ravens fan. Flipping heads twice does not influence the odds on the third toss. A set of football games should play out the same way...

Hi Dan,

I think the road to the Super Bowl would be easier through San Diego, but that just won't happen. If the Ravens win this weekend (and I hope they do) they will be headed to Pittsburgh. Then they'll have to beat Carolina for the Championship. That's the way I see it. GO RAVENS!

I have had this talk with a few people over the last couple of days. The majority say we would rather play the Steelers. I certainly understand the logic that the Chargers would be an "easier" game but I don't agree. The Chargers were 4-8 and made the playoffs. They are hot and have nothing to lose. The only good thing in playing them is that it looks like LT won't be playing again this year. The Steelers are banged up, they beat us twice this year in very close games and it's the Steelers. We owe them and like someone said earlier winning a Super Bowl and not beating the Steelers would be nice but not nearly as nice if we beat them. We owe the Titans and the Steelers and nothing would be sweeter then beating them both on the way to Tampa.

I would love to have the Ravens come through our house one more time, especially for the championship. We hate you, and you hate us. The winner will be so juiced,and the loser will be completely demoralized. I am confident that the Steelers can deliver a third blow to the Ravens and advance to the title game.

Steelers. 110% YES. But let's get there first.

As crazy as this may sound, bring on the Steelers. The same way I wanted to face New England, I would welcome the Steelers for similar reasons. I prefered New England because I knew this would be the greater challenge and I think brings more credibility beating good teams in the playoffs. As far as the Steelers, same ideas but this is personal. If' we met them in the AFC Championship and won, that would get the bitter taste out of my mouth of the two regular seasons loses and lets face it, I hate the Steelers. So I hope we take care of business and the ball Saturday and I will be 1 of the few Raven fans over here sporting purple. Peace From The Middle East!

THE ONLY WAY TO THE SUPER BOWL IS THROUGH PITTSBURGH IF YOURE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TO THEM!

As a Steelers fan I want the Ravens. That would be the real SB and both teams have such great defenses, I have no problem with losing to the Ravens as a lot of the Ravens fans do with losing to the Steelers, I guess beacause I have been a Steelers fan for 40 years, long before the Ravens were born and have always backed the AFC team in the Super Bowl. A lot of people on here forget that the AFC lost the Super Bowl like around 13 years in a row in the 80s and 90s, so no matter who wins the AFCC game be loyal to the AFC, by the way thanks for kicking the Cowboys @!#%, thats who most of us Steelers fans hate the most, not the Ravens and seeing Jerry Jones pouting in the owners box in texas stadium was priceless. Good luck this week.

Getting to and winning the SB is the important thing, but if that can include a 3rd game with the hated Steelers, even better ... the 3rd time is usually the charm ... Go Black Birds ...

This has been the question of the week at work.

My thoughts: First off, the Ravens need to win this weekend to even think about our next match-up. However, no matter what, I hate the Steelers and prefer to see them lose and end their season this weekend vs SD (LT - Have a Seat! Go Sproles!!).

If the Ravens and Steelers are victorious and go head-to-head, I believe the Ravens have a great shot of winning the match-up. This Ravens team is not the same one that played against the Steelers the first 2 games of the season....we are on the upswing. Pittsburgh has not played decent ball for most of the year (their wins have been ugly), and I don't think Big Ben can take one more knock to the head (although I'm sure the Raven's D would love to give it to him!).

Just another Connolly point of view; one who doesn't reside in PA.

And by the way, Regis Philbin went to Notre Dame so definitely give Rich a break.

You got to beat the best to be the best,and the steelers have to be the best because they beat us twice.right now ,i think that the ravens are the best because they have improved on there offensive output since they last played the steelers.I would like one more crack at them. I think the ravens will beat them now.I am glad the colts are out ,we cant beat them, and the chargers are much like the colts. we would have a harder time with the chargers.The steelers are a hard nosed blue collar team, much like the ravens.I would like to see them fight it out, and may the best team win. Go Ravens

As awful as it would be to get beaten by the Steelers for a third time in one season, I would risk it just for the CHANCE to beat them in Pittsburgh for the one game of the three that really matters.

I'm a Steeler fan and I hate the Ravens -- but I respect them as much as any team in the NFL. That defense is just plain scary. That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing a Steelers-Ravens AFC Championship game (assuming both win this weekend). Like some others have said, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best -- and I think that these are the two best teams in the AFC right now.

On a different note, I just don't get why Ravens fans hate Hines Ward so much. He is just the kind of gutsy player that I would think Baltimore fans would love. He plays with as much intensity as Ray Lewis. He just smiles more.

Let me try some of the black bean soup before I head home. I'll take some shredded cheese but not the stuff you use for the rats.

Look Dan, I'm as giddy as a school girl that the bar is back open and hoping like never before but you really need to not get us looking past this saturday. Karma man. Your violating one of the great sports cliches of all time. "We take them one game at a time."

Let's keep building the momentum this week, take the Titans out on saturday and then, and only then, can we discuss our next opponent. Are we square?

p.s. - let me buy Kevin, Iraq a round or two. Put it on Rich's tab.

I would love to see the Steelers a 3rd time, especially with a Super Bowl on the line. At this point, I'll gladly take any opponent not named the Colts.

first of all im totally disrespected by the way you losers are disrepecting us 5time sb winners in da burgh your defense is overated and old ed reed is a great player against everyone else because he does nothing against the steelers and james silverback harrison dominates the baltimore birdies every matchup so stopping your crying about defensive player and hope you win against the titans losers!!!!

Steelers, Chargers, or Titans...they need to put Ed Reed in on offense for some plays as a receiver or halfback to run in a few more touchdowns each game. Ed has a knack for getting into the end zone. Harbaugh and Cameron need to take advantage of that and punch in a few more of those magic Reed TDs. Maybe in the red zone. A wildcat Suggs Package toss to Ed Reed. Or the Clayton reverse pass. Worth considering. He knows how to get the ball and get in for the score.

I for one am a HUGE steelers fan and I completely hate the ravens. But if I was the ravens I would want to play the chargers. Are you forgetting what the steelers defense did in the last meeting against these guys? Flacco didnt have the same poise he showed all year. Intercepting a pass at the 15yard line and held a field goal. The ravens defense in all words is just amazing it plays every thing well. But then again so does the steelers defense and if we went by stats the Steelers do it even better. Steelers can pressure flacco stop the running game and force turnovers. Not saying the Ravens cant do the same but i would rather play the chargers. Rivers hasnt proven himself in the playoffs. And against the colts the punter and sproles won that game, and we both know the ravens can stop sproles. So if your ravens hope for chargers. To have a rookie quarterback go into one of the harshest enviroments against a nasty defense would almost certainly spell a loss for the ravens.

Man,I'm from Brazil and i'm really optmistc about the Ravens playoffs.The way pass by Tennesse?Let´s win this ball game.Come on,everybody want to take the Squeelers and beat them at that big mustard bottle.I really sure that if we go to Pitt the history will be tottally diferent!!

We like to SAY we want the Steelers to look all brave, but down deep we want no parts of facing them again. Those Steelers just own us, and Big Ben especially owns us at crunch time! Flacco's been carried so far, how long can we go before he actually has to make a play instead of Ed Reed doing the scoring for him?
Yes, like our boy Bart Scott we talk big, but notice how Scott ducked and went into the fetal position when he saw Hines Ward flying at him last game! Please PLEASE no more Steelers, I can't take another sure loss!

Yes I would want the Steelers, the intense rivalry meeting in the biggest game possible for them would be HUGE. It would be wonderful to beat them in their own home stadium and go to the SB. The Chargers would be slightly easier but only slightly because we'd go to the West Coast and play in their teams ideal climate, and they're far more dangerous than Miami. We still gotta take care of business this weekend with the Titans but as long as we win that game we're destined to face the Steelers since the Chargers chances of upsetting them in Pittsburgh is very slim.

Bill,

We hate Hines because he kills us ! That doesn't mean we don't respect the way he plays, and yes , if he were on our team, you would see alot of purple Ward jerseys in the stands. IF we beat the Titans, I would love to play the Steelers again, it would be a great game.

Steeler fan here, total respect and hatred towards the Ravens... We don't want to go for three. That would bang us up way too much before the big game two weeks afterwards.

Overall though, win, lose, or draw.. The Ravens had an amazing season this year, coming off last year, just amazing. Its great that we might (?) have another great quarterback in our division in Flacco.. I think that AFC North will be a very heated group next year.....

Steeler fan here. On the Ravens' high hopes of winning a big one in the burgh...I respectfully bow to Baltimore's own Edgar A. Poe, who sucinctly summed up the Ravens' chances against the black and gold like so.s "Nevermore." Or, as we awaylike to say in Pittsburgh while en route to another super bowl, "bye, bye Blackbird."

Whoa, Nellie!! Let's be clear about this - Steeler Jack and I are NOT the same person. There oughta be some kinda rule to protect the identity of the patrons in this establishment. It's bad enough that there's another Jack that posts on Schmuck's blog now and then, and he makes statements I totally don't agree with often enough. But in here? Where I am one of the Legends of the Bar? (At least in my own mind.) Is there nothing sacred? Rob, Dan, BaltoJim, Kevins of any location - make sure you know which Jack you are buying a drink for. I'm the one with the O's cap, the Terps jersey, and the Ravens beer mug. That guy with yellow towel? Never saw him before in my life.

The Steelers beat the Browns 3 times in 1994, including the playoffs. The current Ravens are the same thing as the 1994 Browns, thanks to Art Modell. Thus, it will be no problem for the 2008 Steelers to beat the Ravens again in the playoffs.