AFC Championship Game Observations

The Ravens and Steelers had played two stirring matchups this season—both coming down to the wire—but the third one failed to live up to the hype.

Although, at one point the scoreboard read 16-14 Pittsburgh, and the Ravens had the football back with five minutes to play, the contest wasn't as the close as the point total indicated.

From the get go, Pittsburgh was in charge. Its defense made Joe Flacco look like the rookie that he was, and Baltimore was unable to muster anything on offense.

Conversely, the Steelers were able to move the football well through the air (Baltimore was playing with back-up CBs), and after Roethlisberger scrambled away from pressure, threw across the field to WR Santonio Homes, who then weaved his way through this Ravens' defense for the 65 yard TD reception, the score was 13-0. It should've been worse.

The refs blew an earlier call on an apparent 30 yard TD for Holmes when they ruled he never fully had control of the ball before crossing the goal line. To us, it appeared that he caught the football, was reaching for the goal line, and when he hit the ground, the ball came loose. So instead they had to settle for the FG.

After that, the Ravens were able to get back into it after a 45-yard punt return put Baltimore at the 17. Three plays later and the score was 13-7.

It would stay that way into the half, but on the stat sheet, the Steelers had thoroughly dominated the game up until this point.

Late in the third quarter, the Steelers had a perfect opportunity to put the nail in the coffin and the Ravens out of their misery. Rookie wideout Limas Sweed got a free release down the left sidelines and saw a pin point deep pass go right through his hands. So Pittsburgh had to settle for three to put them up 16-7.

Just like the week before, the Ravens were being completely outplayed on the field but were still in the game. And this one would be no different.

Midway through the fourth, Flacco orchestrated a six-play drive, which was aided by a pass interference call in the end zone, and after RB Willis McGahee's one-yard TD, the game was 16-14.

And after a three and out, Baltimore took a short punt and moved it to their 40. Great field position for a potential GW drive. But a boneheaded play by their special teams (unnecessary roughness call on a late hit out of bounds) pushed the ball back to the 13.

And on third down, Flacco, under a great deal of pressure, looked right and fired to his favorite target WR Derrick Mason, but S Troy Polamalu was there to pick it off and he returned it all the way to the house.

Game over.

So with the 23-14 win, the Steelers now move on to go for their sixth Super Bowl title while the Ravens, just 5-11 a year ago, overachieved on many levels and have to feel good about all that they accomplished in coach Harbaugh's first year.