Ravens vs. Steelers: Inside the Ravens Locker Room

I've been sitting here watching all of the postgame interviews on NFL Network after the Steelers 31-24 victory over the Ravens to advance to their second AFC Championship game in the past three years. There is a consistent theme in the comments from the Baltimore Ravens players—denial.

I wish I had been getting a dollar for each time Joe Flacco said that "we beat ourselves" because I'd have at least a 10-spot right now.

Is T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Anquan Boldin having balls bounce off their chests beating yourself?

Is getting two quick touchdowns off Steeler turnovers—including a fluke fumble return—beating yourself?

Joe, ask yourself if throwing an out pattern in which the ball looked like it was moving in slow motion beating yourself?  What about not being able to execute a snap from center?

For a while, I almost thought Terrell Suggs was going to make some intelligent comments, and then he said something like "it had nothing to do with Roethlisberger, I could have made those plays that deep in our end."  Ok.

Could have, should have, would have. Consider this as food for thought, William Gay made some plays for the Steelers today. That is not beating yourself. The point is big players and championship teams make big plays in big games. Pittsburgh does, Baltimore can't.

How about losing seven games in a row against Pittsburgh when Ben Roethlisberger is the starting quarterback?

I have some advice for the Ravens. How about stepping up and just saying, "It was a good game, and the better team won today."

Go get 'em next year;s guys, hopefully you won't beat yourselves.