After one of the closest fought playoff weekends in living memory, the road to Super Bowl XL has come down to two games. One sees the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos match up in the AFC Championship game, while the other will pit the Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game. Expect fireworks. AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
OFFENSE
The mainstays of Denver and Pittsburgh’s seasons have been their running backs, with both teams among the NFL’s best for rushing yards. Denver’s Mike Anderson/ Tatum Bell duo combines speed and power, and Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis have both eaten up the yards in the Steelers drive for Detroit.
But the two teams have a useful passing game is, too. Denver’s Jake Plummer and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger can certainly put the ball in the air (they both threw for 197 yards last weekend), and they are great out of the pocket- so don’t be surprised if you see them rush for a yard or two of their own.
Denver’s receiving corps, led by Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie are so good as they come, and Steelers playmakers Hines Ward, Antwaan Randel-El, and Heath Miller will exploit any weaknesses behind the line of scrimmage.
ADVANTAGE: Even.
DEFENSE
If there’s anything the Steelers and Broncos pride themselves on (apart from their running game and passionate support), it’s defense. And that’s why they are ranked #3 and #4 in the nation for defense. Led by Larry Foote, Ike Taylor, James Farrior and dressing-room leader Joey Porter, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is good enough to unnerve anyone- just ask Peyton Manning.
And Denver doesn’t give points away easily, either. Ian Gold, Dominique Foxworth, Nick Ferguson, Al Wilson, and Champ Bailey all made over 60 tackles in the regular season, and if Roethlisberger’s not on song, it’s going to be a long day for the Steelers. And in Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh) and Champ Bailey (Denver), both teams have playmakers in the secondary who are good enough to make Mssrs Plummer and Roethlisberger think twice about throwing anywhere near them.
ADVANTAGE: Even.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Denver’s Jason Elam had a 50 yard field goal against the Patriots, but he’s also been known to have a crack from 60. Although Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed is exceptionally accurate, Elam certainly holds the cards- especially in a stadium where he’s familiar with the famous thin air and he’s not easily put off- something’s that might prove invaluable at Mile High.
Pittsburgh’s Antwaan Randle-El is a fearsome punt returner, and while Charlie Adams is certainly no slouch, Randle-El is as quick as they come- and could get quicker if the game doesn’t become a snowfest.
ADVANTAGE: Kicking: Denver. Returning: Pittsburgh.
X FACTOR
Although Pittsburgh had to go through Cincinnati and Indianapolis en route to their second AFC title game in as many seasons, they won’t have experienced a home support quite as loud as this.
Broncos fans are famous for their raucousness and passion- and Broncos DE Gerard Warren told US reporters that he wanted them to be as “loud as possible” at the AFC Championship Game. And, having being given a ton of credit for the team’s unbeaten home record this year, the home fans are sure to find their voice at Invesco Field on Sunday.
If the Steelers don’t score early, expect the decibel levels to go through the roof.
PREDICTION: DENVER 28, PITTSBURGH 24
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
OFFENSE
Does anyone have an answer for Carolina’s Steve Smith? The diminutive wide receiver had 218 yards and two touchdowns against the nation’s best defense. Expect it to continue when Smith and Panthers’ quarterback Jake Delhomme comes up against a Seahawk side who has been weak against the pass this year.
On the other side, if Seattle’s rushing game takes over, then Carolina could be in for a long afternoon. Running back Sean Alexander, rushed for nearly 2000 yards this year, and if can stay healthy, then he can dominate. And if not, then quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, has excellent receivers in Bobby Engram, Joe Jurevicius, and Jerramy Stevens, as well as his own playmaking skills- as proved by his scrambling touchdown on Saturday.
ADVANTAGE: Carolina
DEFENSE
Although we’ve just been rubbishing Seattle’s pass defense, Jake Delhomme shouldn’t spend too much time waiting to throw, either. The underrated Seahawk defense leads the NFL in sacks this year with 52, and it’s likely they will continue that trend. Rookie linebacker Lofa Tatapu has had an amazing 105 tackles this year, and the secondary, led by safety Michael Boulware, had 16 interceptions.
The Carolina Panthers have the league’s fifth best overall defense (in terms of average points given up per game), standing in the top 10 in rushing and passing defense. They also had 23 interceptions this year, and are frighteningly opportunistic.
ADVANTAGE: Seattle
SPECIAL TEAMS
His horrendous extra point miss against Chicago aside, Carolina’s John Kasay is one of the league’s more dependable kickers. But then again, so is Seattle’s Josh Brown.
Although Carolina hasn’t returned a kick for a touchdown all season, don’t count out Jamal Robertson, who had 100 yards returning on Sunday. If he doesn’t slip on what is likely to be a wet turf, expect him to add a few more by the end of the game.
Seattle’s returners had a relatively poor day on Saturday, going hand in hand with their awful season, where they only averaged 5.7 yards a return, one inch off the league’s worst. Will it continue? For the sake of Seattle Seahawks’ coach Mike Holmgren, we hope not.
ADVANTAGE: Kicking: Even. Returning: Carolina
X FACTOR
The Seattle weather. For almost every day in the last month, it’s rained, and it certainly made conditions difficult for both sets of players for the Seattle-Washington clash last Saturday. Washington soaked each ball in water in practice, because they wanted to experience the conditions. Carolina had better do some of that too.
PREDICTION: CAROLINA 28, SEATTLE 17