Mike,

Finally! Someone with some common football sense.

The Chargers are a finesse team. Even with the injuries, the Ravens would have overwhelmed them in San Diego next week.

Hell,Mike,you get the feeling that you battle the refs right along with their players at their place.To tell you the truth,I feel amost bored realizing I have to watch that crowd,stadium,organization again.You know what?Once the game gets going I'm sure I'll get into it.I'm just not stoked to hear all the Pitt accolades from tv announcers,watching fans wave rags in the air,or their coach high fiving players coming off the field.What happens if Cam has our offense run 2 handoffs and a pass as our genious offensive strategy like the other games?BORING and playing to stay even if I may answer my own question!I hope the younger players have some of the veterans backs next Sunday.You know why?Because those men have been kicking butt to get everybody this far from a Super Bowl and do you know how hard that is this decade?They(everybody) may never get another chance like this for the rest of their careers again.Man,I hope that means something to the "bench" players that have a chance to contribute Sunday night.Sorry for a rant,big Mike.I still don't feel any better.

Perhaps! Hell, I never EVER root for Pittsburgh, but guess what, it's here and now and IT'S ON! "Starting our playoff journey as a #6 seed, we boast the baddest defense featuring #20, Ed Reed. Picking off passes he has that interception need, beware opposing offenses, your gonna get D'd. D'd as in D-fense...D-fense as in D-fend. The Baltimore Ravens are going to be Super Bowl champions once again. Pittsburgh you ain't ready. Led by Joe Cool, our Ravens offense is reliable and steady. You got credit for a win last time but as far as we're concerned it's still 4th down; you keep that controversial victory, the Ravens are on a mission, seeking a Super Bowl crown! Hey Pittsburgh, the Ravens are better; I know you don't agree and you don't gotta. Willie Parker run up the middle and get a dose of Haloti Ngata! (Let me end my tribute by saying there are so many positive things to being a Ravens fan that make them unique and special). Watching pre-game introductions and seeing Ray Lewis do his dance, and hearing about an inspirational pep talk from our hero, O.J. Brigance. We won't let Miami, Tennessee or Pittsburgh get in the way of our dream and chance. 'What's our name?' Baltimore Ravens, and our mission is to be Super Bowl 44 Champs!"

GO RAVENS!
REFUSE to LOSE!

Don't all the Tough Guys on the roster want to show how Tough they are?

i think they do want to play pittsburgh. they feel cheated from the last game and this team wants to prove themselves. we think were better than pittsburgh.

seriously, do you really think they are going to root for pittsburgh to win anything or vice versa, ever? these teams dont like each other. its as simple as that. i wouldnt have minded an easy game at san diego, but i knew and almost wanted the steelers to win. like leron mcclain, i was sure we would see this football team again, just like i knew wed see tennesse again. go ravens!

I love my Ravens..but Im not so confident. The majority of the team (The Ravens) watched the Steelers vs chargers Sunday at my job (ESPN ZONE) and those guys were pretty beat up. All I could think after seeing them was "How are we going to take the steelers down like this?"

I've beed reading and listening to numerous sources and the big difference in this game is that no one believes the Ravens can win. The so called experts after the Eagles game were saying that the Ravens went this far on adrenalin. "It's been a great ride but it's over now" they said. What's the difference here? Even the Sun's polls shows that the fans have given up too. What gives? Should we just write them off? Are they too tired, beat up? Not me. I've said all year that on of the big differences this year is that the Ravens themselves are believers. They believe they can win and so do I. They are playing through injuries and working hard to win for us, we owe it to them to believe too! GO RAVENS!!

I was hoping for San Diego. The Ravens problems in the Titans games was over anxious. They felt they had to prove a point and were over hyped on intensity. I can see the same thing if not more for this Sunday and round 3. San Diego would have been nice weather mild temps for this time of year. Better for injuries. I agree, if we run to running plays up the middle and then pass. I'll turn it off the computer here in Tajikistan. Let's throw out all the stops, what do we have to lose. We're not supposed to be here anyway. GO RAVENS!

I know I was rooting for the Chargers. My dad was excited Saturday night at the prospect of playing the Steelers and I told him "Dad, we think we can beat the Steelers but we know they can beat us. San Diego would have been a much easier game that I bet many Ravens would've taken in a heartbeat especially considering they have a total of 0 injuries right now and have had 2 bye weeks since our last 1. On a related note, I live in Pittsburgh, and as bad as the Steelers fans are in Pittsburgh, they are much more annoying on their home turf so the prospect of losing 3 games in one season to the Steelers with the third loss propelling them to the Superbowl is a double wammy was looking to avoid. So for this Ravens' fans sake - GO RAVENS beat Pittsburgh!!!

Mike I think you are so right. After the beatings last week and the toll on the bodies this week plus playing 17 or is it 18 weeks in a row even if you win on Sunday what is left? At some point this is going to catch up.

Would I rather the Ravens play the Chargers? Sure, but the team is still in the AFC Champ. game!!! Who-a-thunk it?? The team will give their collective best, but the injuries to Suggs, McClain and Rolle might be too much to overcome. Time to let Flacco air it out and press the issue. If the Ravens get up a couple of scores early, they could prevail! Go Ravens!

@Steve: I think you're a couple days behind the times on Mike Preston's "There's no Accountability in the Blogosphere" Absolutely Immutable Platitudes as Keys to the Game.

We're beyond "Tough guys" now - especially since we're playing Pittsburgh who has, you know, a lot of tough guys too. More recently he has told us that you can easily beat the Ravens by throwing a lot of short, quick timing passes, so it apparently no longer matters how many tough guy you have. Or maybe now it's whether you Hustle (cue the disco music!) because most playoff teams apparently don't actually try very hard when they're out there. Even I'm having trouble keeping up with the latest.

But it doesn't really matter, because I'm sure there'll be a new one before the end of the week.

Of course they are not excited for a rematch. There are going to be two players healthy enough to play in the super bowl after this: reserve long snappers.

Hey Kevin,

If it is your mission to be @ Super Bowl 44, then I guess you'll have to wait until next year. This year it's Super Bowl 43 you moron and the Steelers will be the champs again.

I don't know how the St.Paul's School for girls football team got into the play-offs this past Sunday to play the Steelers. The girls put up a good fight but in the end the Steelers overwhelmed them.Yes the Ravens are exhausted from this extra long season, and are hurting, That along with the Steelers being so fresh and healthy make for a very interesting game. I expect the Ravens to come out like a cornered, wounded animal. That extremely easy game last Sunday may not serve the Steelers well. The pressure is all on the Steelers. They are supposed to be here. While the Ravens are supposed to be home watching. But that is not what happening. Go Ravens !!!

Dan R.,

I hope the Ravens are poised and ready to make a run for Super Bowl 44. Unfortunately, as a fan you will have to wait until next year to watch that game. Keep talking about Cool Joe as he completes 40% of his passes. The Ravens had no business winning last week, their steady offense made two plays, one of which was about 2 seconds late from being legal.

I hope Kevin from Homestead is right....well, sort of. He says the Ravens mission is to be Super Bowl 44 Champs....well, Super Bowl 43 is being played in less than 2 weeks - so, good luck next year!!!!

Battle the REFS??? I am sick and tired of the crying over the goal line call in the last meeting! That call did not cost the ravens the game. Even if they would have said he didn't cross the goal line most likely they would have gone for it on 4th down from the one inch line. There is a 95% chance they would have made it from there!! Even if they would have kicked the field goal to tie there is still just a 50/50 chance the ravens would have got the ball and managed to win the game!! Get over it!

So KDM, you don't want your squad to win this years super bowl? Super Bowl 44 is a nice mission, but I'd say your getting ahead of yourself considering it's XLIII in Tampa (43, for the ill informed). Too bad fatboy Ray won't be doing his siezure dance considering he'll be jogging out on the from the north end of Heinz Field. Yes, Ravens fans are special (or as some say "exceptional"), they were cheated on in 84, then were the "other person" in 97. Don't forget, Steelers D being #1 is not by accident. Much respect for the team and Ray, with the exception of his dance. Good Luck.

Baltimore Browns(ratbirds), when you plan to visit Pittsburgh remember you cant hurt STEEL! Yins should just stay home so you dont get hurt. Its ok to be scared, you dont have to cry, we will put you to bed and tuck you in.

This is the super for the ravens. we get a third chance to beat the hated steelers,it will be a brutal game.I hope we dont play conservitive, we need to throw everything in the play book at them, and then some. watch out for the sideline pass,and the lateral sweeps. Pressure rothlesburger, and scrap the prevent defense.the only way to wipe the grin off wards face, is to win. Go Ravens. The Name is RAVENS

Kevin Darnell Miller from Homestead, PA Said SB 44, Uhhhh.... That would be next year. This is SB 43.

so when suggs was on 1370 yesterday with you and he said he was looking forward to playing the steelers and that is who he wanted to play, why didn't you question him about that statement?

I'm a huge Steeler fan since 1969. I Think this will be a great game between two of the best teams in the leauge. Both teams very similar in strengths. Both teams know what is at stake so it will be balls to the walls! The winner of this one takes the Super Bowl if they have anyone left standing.

I can't wait for this game. The squeeler fans, who sucker punched my friends 14 year old son from behind on the way out of the stadium after last years meaningless game @ M&T are the only downer. I enjoyed going to Nashville last week; talked trash with the fans and shook hands afterward when they congratulated us. I have done the same thing in our stadiium before, but not with the squeeler fans, whose shoulder chip is probably about the size of the excavation of the PA turnpike tunnels. The Ravens will put forth the same 150% team effort they have displayed since the last squeeler game and win. Every time I hear squeeler nashun on espn all I can think of is red sux nashun and both espn created terms make me want to puke.

We have to play who we have to play, whining, wishing , crying, or anything else does not change that fact.

Let's go give the Steelers all that we have left in the tank and let the chips fall where they may. If the Steelers win tip our hats to them and concede they were the better team this year, and that is no disgrace. If we beat them , take a lot of pride in the fact that we beat one of the best teams in football and go on from there. Fact is you don't get to pick and choose your opponents, you have to play the best and beat the best if you want to be the best, get it on and let the chips fall where they may no matter what!!!

Win or lose you have to be proud of this Ravens team. GO RAVENS!!!

the cleveland browns can run to another city and give themselves a bird's name, but they can't hide.

Hey. Enough talking already. 'tudes are great but the players have to put up or shut up. The Steelers are sending the women and children to a safe place and are gonna be waiting - at OUR home. No malarkey...no fancy in your face talking. We'll be there waiting. So strap up your wounded and get it on. If you can pull it off we'll salute you. You already have our respect except for the idiots talking about bounties. The question is - once we seriously kick your butts - will you have the guts to salute us?

Uhhh, you might guess I'm a Steeler fan.

Steeler fan sure is confident. I'd like to him get knocked down a peg or 2. Cam will make this interesting, he has to or it's the last game.

For God's Sake, Cam Cameron....throw on first down early and often, and, oh yeah, no more 'man in motion' from your own half-yard line anymore. And where in the hell were Troy Smith and Ray Rice this past Sunday?

I guess I'm a realist, Pittsburgh has the #1 defense in the league, the better offense, they are fresher, less beat up, playing at home, beat us twice already whether we like to admit it or not and excuses don't help, but anything is possible.

Baltimorean....I'm sorry
that your friend's son got "sucker punched" last year by a Steeler fan but don't judge all Pgh fans by the actions of 1 or 2. SOunds like a bit of prejudice there, wouldn't you say?? Every town has it's bad apples and you unfortunately ran into one of Pgh's bad ones. Most Pgh fans are good people!
Steelers will win though and Steelers Nation will party!

I hope you don't "puke" this weeeknd!

You Ravens fans are such a classless bunch. You will always be the Baltimore Browns to me. Just because Indianapolis stole the Colts from you, doesn't mean its right to steal the Browns from Cleveland. Go ahead, yap all you want about Pittsburgh, talk yourselves into a frenzy, but don't cry like little babies if you lose. My goodness, all I hear about is "wah... that wasn't a TD", "wah, we got robbed." I guess you forgot to mention that we marched 92 yards down the field on your "defense." At least Ray Lewis has enough class to admit that fact. I respect Lewis far more than most of you Ravens fans. Good luck... peace out.

Is there anything more obnoxious than a local rooting for the Stealer's ( or the Redsox geeks that show up in mass at the ' Yard ' ) ?!!! The void has been filled!! We are the RAVEN'S!!!! Get on board or get outta' town!!!

I being a Steelers fan picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys because I knew that the fact that they hate the Steelers so much that they needed this game three. Well I really picked this one correctly, but can't say that any fan would be too confident in how the outcome of the AFC Championship will unfold. The Steelers and Baltimore are similar by the simple fact that each team member plays for each team member and not for their own glory. It's a great matchup and will probably leave both teams so battered you'd have to wonder about the health of the AFC contender in the superbowl. It's good to know that our division will be represented by the AFC no matter what.

As a Stiller fan, I have to say I was torn watching the playoffs. I wanted the Ravens to win so the Steelers played at home, but I didn't want to play the Ravens. And for those visiting Heinz Field, you will find some jerks, but you'll find alot more fun and sincere folks. I've run into jerks in every stadium that I've been in - both home and away. Don't sterotype us though. Good luck.

I have to admit I wanted the Titans to beat The Raisins until I saw how Good they played and how bad they beat you guys up. Now I can't wait to Beat you a 3rd Time. We played hurt ALL year and still won. Now we're ALL Healthy. RIP Raisins.

I understand cheering for one's team and as a Steeler's fan, I'm certainly looking forward for another SB victory. However, I have been at least honest and never wanted to see the Ravens again. Not because they're better, but because it is tough to beat a tough team three times. However, remember those who claim the ravens are so much better than the Steelers, it was not the ref's decision as to why the Steelers won, but the play of the game. The non call of the delay of game was a clear miss. The call of Holmes' TD was the benefit of HD TV. But you claimn that the game was taken. What gives Bmore? So, no I didn't want to see this game, because I really wanted to see the Titans again as as opportunity to deal with those towel stompers. So, now we get to play the Ravens again, then so be it. However, my football sense tells me that this is going to be a very tough game that again will come down to the wire. Normally, I like to see the Ravens win, save for when they play my Steelers, except that lately Suggs, Lewis and co have become too full of themselves. Yes, they hit hard and play well, but bounties, cheering when a player is hurt, these are classless antics and it speaks to the level of maturity of this team. H Ward never bragged about his hit hurting the kid from Cincy to the journalists and his hits are clean blocks during the play, not cheap shots... if your head is turned while pursuing a play is he supposed to tap you on your shoulder and say don't make this tackle? I mean did Bart Scott do that when Big Ben's head was down field and he pile-drived him into the turf? No, but it's ok for the Ravens to hit people hard but not for anyone else, right. This speaks of the fans and the Ravens team being crybabies more than anything else... you want to be the only ones to make big hits and laugh and applaud when you hurt someone... but did anyone do this when your starting safety went down? No, we all prayed for him, because this is a violent sport and anyone can be hurt on any play. But I guess such class is not for the ravens to respect right. To heck with that! Go STEELERS!

After the second Pittsburgh Baltimore game, I predicted the Steelers would play them for the AFC Championship game. (Except I never thought Indy would lose to San Diego). It was inevitable and the playoff picture was aligning perfectly. These are to two "toughest" teams in the NFL. Love or hate Ray Lewis he's one of the best. If we lose, I'll be depressed for 6 months, but may the team that plays the hardest win. Go Steelers! One for the other hand!

its really funny to me that sqeeler nation can never own up to the fact that they are in for the fight of their lives when it comes to playing the ravens. home, away, for the third time, it doesnt matter. the bottom line is you all know you're scared, admit it. there's no shame. i'll be the first to admit i'm nervous as hell over this one.and you can count on this, IF the steelers beat the ravens, it wont be because the refs did us in, i'm confident the ravens won't be in that position. it's gonna be a slobberknocker, trading off punches till there's just one man standing. the winner of this one just needs to hope they escape with enough to play in the big game. should be a thriller!

IT'S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG.

Polamalu is injured...........Squealers, you better watch out..........

I find it interesting, to say the least, that the three teams in all of sports that get officiating help the most, the Yank-its, the Duke basketball and Drama school, and the Steal-ers (ok, maybe the Cowboys too), are the same ones always telling everybody else to get over it. Yet, when the shoe is on the other foot, they are the quickest to melt down.
Turner was right to challenge that pick in the third quarter because it wasn't one. Why is it that when a challenge would go against the Steal-ers, there isn't enough to overturn but when it helps "It was most important to get the call right" no matter the call on the field? In order to win by two, you have to win by ten.
Go Ravens

Super Bowl 43 is correct, I made a typo...big deal. Thanks to all you observant know it all's (obnoxious ignorant girly Steelers fans I assume). And Greg, thanks for the "moron" compliment, good to see the powder-puff internet muscles are flexing.

I am a Steeler fan. I can say I was rooting for the Ravens on Saturday, but mostly for the home field advantage. I was rooting for the cowboys to beat the Ravens and knock them out of the playoffs.

But if I were a player, I do think I would have wanted to see this rematch. Especially, if I was a Raven, just because of the season series. If the goal is just to win the Super Bowl, then yeah, you want the easiest path possible. But if the goal is to win the Super Bowl and then look back and see how tough it was to do, and be as satisfied as possible, I think you want to beat the best. If whoever wins this game goes on to win the Super Bowl, they will be more satisfied because of this matchup.

I'm a die-hard Ravens fan, but have a ton of respect for both teams. Whoever wins this game will destroy the NFC pretenders 42-7 in the Super Bowl. Go Ravens!

Sounds like Squealer fans are masking their fear of the Ravens with Iron City (barf) inspired bravado and double digit IQ's. Deep down, in reality, you know that your recent crushing at the hands of the Titans compared to our rousing victory over them spells certain defeat for you. Troy Polamolive is so nervous he's inventing an injury this week. Apparently he had to delay the perm on his hair to nurse a chipped fingernail. As much as he would like to, the dude can't hold Ed Reed's jockstrap. BTW, I plan to celebrate the Ravens victory this Sunday with a few microbrews and then by swabbing my toilets with the Terrible Towel I found on the ground at the last Squealer game. A coincidence those towels happen to be the color of urine? I think not! And you thought stepping on them was bad? Enjoy the off-season Piss-burgh! Yours starts this Sunday night!

Dear Kevin Darnell Miller from Homestead, I am from Homestead too, born and raised there although I currently live out of state, luckily for you. Do you know the history of Homestead and what was at the Waterfront before it became the Waterfront? Do you know why the Steel Valley got that name? Or why Art Rooney Sr. named the team the Steelers? You must be new to the area because you clearly need (1) a good hard kick in, well you know where and (2) therapy/medication for that mental defect in your brain son! Yeah the purple pansies got game BUT it takes FIRE to melt or mold steel and I don't think B-more has enough heat to bend us. They can't bring it like we can, ESPECIALLY at Heinz Field, ESPECIALLY for the AFC crown. Look at how their "fans" are crying about this game. They already know and so do you. I mean, really. Even us women in the Steeler Nation are tougher than these purple people and if I was back home I guess I'd have to look you up. But that's ok, the team will do all the talking that's needed on Sunday. HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO--PITTSBURGH'S GOIN TO THE SUPER BOWL.

I have been blessed to be a Steelers fan since the mid 60's. I have celebrated during many wins and shed many a tear. But, I would rather play the Ravens and lose in the AFC Championship, then to feel fear that my team could not win. I did root for the Ravens to beat the Titans, but that was all about homefield advantage.
Now the Ravens have to come to Heinz (Our House) and prove that the stage is NOT to big for Flacco. He will have to operate with the voice of the Steeler Nation in his ears(Go Puke, Dude)and the crucible of the Steelers's "D". The Ravens have a great defense, after all they chose the best mold.
Big Ben and Willie are going to be the difference in this game. Ben has been for a couple of years now. If he shows patience and does not turn the ball over the Steelers should advance. I know fast Willie has not been very sucessful against the Ravens "D", but there's evidence that might change.

It is the match up the world was hoping for, so tighten up your chinstraps, and chill the beer and may the best team represent the AFC in Superbowl XVIII..or is it XVIVI ..?

OK, first of all, I am born and raised a Streeler fan my whole life! No disrespect for the Baltimore fans out there! Congrats on your team getting this far! I don't like Lewis and I don't like Reed and I don't like Suggs! However, let me be perfectly clear! I really don't like the "so called Burg fan" that hit the 14 year old kid! Classless and ignorant! However, that is only one side of the story! How sure are you that it was a Burgh fan that did it? I don't see or read any facts?

Back th the AFC Champ game! Both teams obviously don't like one another! Neither do us fans! I do think both teams respect each other because they both know each will leave it all out on the field! I also believe this, "this is the Super Bowl"! There is no NFC team that can even think of taking either Da Burg or the Ravens!!!!

Why can't we stop trash talking each others teams, city and people. This is not a horrible example for our kids of good sportsmanship, and even a worse example of how to treat your fellow man. Let the guys decide it ont he field. Remember win or lose it is just a game, that we all love.

Please note I find my error the first sentence of my message should read this is a horrible example for our kids.
I noticed this error after hitting the post key.
I also noticed that my t and h in the got separated.

I just want to say that it doesn't matter what anyone says here. PITTSBURGH is going to win because we have BIG BEN!!!!
And not to mention we have the BEST fans anywhere!
GO BLACK AND GOLD!! We love you...

Well Fans you got what you were wishing for...a chance to come in and punch the Steelers in the mouth, to push them all over Heinz Field. Well, what you ended up getting was a glimpse of what it takes to be a champion, a team the was not intimidated, but one that was eager for the challenge and ready to land some blows of their own. The Steelers stepped up to the challange and beat the Raven's at their own game. The defense was stiffling turning up the heat on the offense of the Ravens. Ed Reed is one of the best safeties in the league, but he was overshadowed by Troy Polomalu...there's more to playing safety than just INT's. Congrats of a great season. You have a lot to look forward to. Flacco appears to be the QB you've been searching for. He's got a lot of the tools that Ben brings to the game. We appreciate the effort your team brought to the game and the passion of your fans...See you next year.