NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the New York Jets for the AFC Championship

Running back Rashard Mendenhall and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger kept on opening the Jets defense, finding open spaces in the right, the left and straight through the middle as they opened up a 24-3 margin in the second half, that was simply too much of a deficit for the spirited Jets to close down in the second half. At the end, despite a decent game from Mark Sanchez and Co, the Steelers defense held back the Jets for a 24-19 win that will take them straight into the Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers in two more weeks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had the key to stop on their feet that team that was working its way into the Super Bowl by winning games against the odds. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was an utter disappointment in this game. Well, not exactly. I mean, if you look into his passer’s rating you will notice that he had an awful game. At 35.5, that is his second worst postseason game. Still, it seems that Big Ben is quite a master of winning it ugly. When he won Super Bowl XL five year ago against the Seattle Seahawks he had a 22.6 passer rating. And in 2004 when he defeated the Jets for the AFC divisional round he had a 57.8. But perhaps, he completed passes and pushed off defenders when the team needed him most because for the third time in six season the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl.

That was it for the trash-talking New York Jets. It seems that head coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez and Co. had left all they had on their previous game against the New England Patriots. This time around there was no trash talking from Jets during the week and there was very little to be seen from the team that managed to leave behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in back to back games. For context, that’s that 10th time since 2001 that a team have played both quarterbacks in back to back games. Only the Tennessee Titans had defeated them both.

Sanchez completed 22 of 33 for 233 yards and two touchdown passes with no interceptions. With a 102.2 passer rating, he certainly outplayed Ben Roethlisberger. Still, Big Ben went 10 of 19 for 133 yards, no touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and somehow managed to guide his offensive to a win. Perhaps the key was to be found in the great performance of Mendenhall. The running back completed 92 of his 121 yards in the first half, for 27 carriages and 1 touchdown.

Rex Ryan had been bragging all the postseason about his solid defense. And that’s when the Steelers turned things around. The Steelers usually relay on their air raids to keep on moving the chains. This time around, Big Ben took a step down and let his men do most of the work over the land. His offensive linemen kept on opening spaces for the runners to break into the Jets D like it had swinging doors.

Despite the effort, and working their way back into the game in the second half, it was just too little and too late for the Jets to really had a chance to get back in the game. The early hole was too deep, even after a 4-yard TD pass to Jerricho Cotchery made it 24-19 with 3:06 remaining. The Steelers kept it smart, moving the ball with each opportunity, and the Jets never got the ball back.

NFL – The New Orleans Saints defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers at home

by Stephen Lars on Nov.03, 2010, under Football, Sports News

Last week we were a bit harsh on the Saints. But let’s face it. Each and every one of us who got a bit excited with what the Saints brought into the NFL equation last season, couldn’t help but to feel a bit disappointed with what they where showing at the beginning of the season. Yes, we have to cut some slack. The Saints have missed a couple of their key-players to injury, but as the season evolves and their healing time sets in, the Saints have again returned to their Super Bowl form.

Drew Brees had an outstanding night. Not only did he outplayed Ben Roethlisberger, who is still not at his peak after his early season 4

NFL – New Orleans Saints take on Pittsburgh Steelers

Ok, so let’s talk about the New Orleans Saints. What’s going on with the defending Super Bowl Champions, huh? Ok, so let’s go back for a second. Sure, the Saints were known nationally as the New Orleans Aints, because for too long they had not made it to the Playoffs, then they didn’t win in the Playoffs and then the 2009 regular season kicked in and quarterback Drew Brees and Co. went on to put and end to the hegemony of the traditional big teams in football. They had a fabulous season, and they were bombproof in the postseason.

But heck, it’s about time that the Saints get out of the Super Bowl hangover, get their act together and start playing some real football. Sure, there is no need to panic. The Saints are in a much more comfortable place then, let’s say the Dallas Cowboys or the San Francisco 49ers, but heck, one can’t help but to notice that the Saints have lost their last two games in a row, including a noticeable upset against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

So yeah, they managed to defeat the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but they failed to crush the Arizona Diamond Backs and the Cleveland Browns by not making the field goal at the end of the game. I mean, they almost won, but almost won’t cut it if this guys really want to make it into the postseason and then have a shot at the Super Bowl.

Drew Brees is not at his finest. He has had 7 interceptions in his last 2 games and defensively, things are not looking that much brighter. The Saints have lost two games against rookie quarterbacks, and that’s never a good sign. Particularly considering that this weekend they have to face no other then the Pittsburgh Steelers who are coming in with Ben Roethlisberger, who despite not at his best shape ever, is certainly more experienced and a more precise quarterback then what the Saint’s have been dealing with lately.

At a -1 points favorite on the spread, and playing at home, the Saints are expected to make an effort and secure this win at home. The Steelers on the other hand have won 4 games in the road, and are looking strong. It’s going to get weird and funky this Halloween Sunday at the Big Easy.