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Defense Is The Name Of This Game

The Associated Press

Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes is tackled by Baltimore's Samari Rolle during the teams' December 14th matchup.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 18, 2009

PITTSBURGH - This year's AFC Championship Game is all about defense.

Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis is bigger than quarterback Joe Flacco. Ravens safety Ed Reed is expected to make more plays than receiver Derrick Mason. Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs could have a bigger impact than running back Le'Ron McClain.

Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu arguably means more to his team than receiver Hines Ward. Steelers linebacker James Harrison hits harder than running back Willie Parker. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has the same amount of postseason sacks as Nate Washington has receptions (two).

When Baltimore faces Pittsburgh today, the offenses might score a few points.

However, defense is expected to determine which team advances to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.

"Of course we have the No. 1 Pittsburgh and No. 2 Baltimore defenses in the business, and that comes along with a certain mentality by itself," Lewis said. "The rivalry kind of heats up from there. From there, we just find each other very similar. We are very similar teams."

Pittsburgh and Baltimore are so similar, the two previous games this season were not decided until late.

The Steelers won their first meeting, 23-20 in overtime, and followed that with a 13-9 win in December. Pittsburgh is hoping for a third win, and if successful, it will be the ninth time in 13 opportunities a team that won the regular-season series won the AFC title by knocking off its opponent again.

"Not that it's not a daunting task playing this team, but I've been one to take the approach that each individual performance stands on its own," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. "Whether or not we win this game will be based on how we prepare and how we play this game and not really what's happened in the past."

Baltimore's defensive performance in its two playoff games is reason to believe it could pull off a victory.

The Ravens forced five turnovers against Miami in their playoff road opener, a 27-9 victory. Reed had two interceptions in that game, returning one for a touchdown.

Baltimore allowed 391 yards last week against Tennessee, but the Titans turned the ball over three times inside the 20-yard line, leading to a 13-10 Ravens win.

"I think one of the things I've noticed is that, as a group of guys, as a group of players and as a group of men, you really honestly do like each other," Baltimore DT Trevor Price said. "Especially in our defensive room, what defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, and I compliment him on this all the time, he has kept it likeable.

"It's easy to police yourself when you're given that leeway. It's one thing if you have a coach of the Gestapo or something like that and he's always like 'You stink. You did this, you did that.' Ryan doesn't have to do that, because we do it ourselves and that's what makes it likeable."

Pittsburgh likes it chances because of its defense.

The Steelers have held opponents to 80.2 rushing yards a game and limited San Diego's Darren Sproles to 15 yards on the ground last week.

In Pittsburgh's first victory against Baltimore, McClain was held to 63 yards rushing and one touchdown and Flacco threw for 192 yards and a TD. Flacco threw for 115 yards and two interceptions, while Baltimore was limited to nine points during the Ravens' loss.

"It's not necessarily your ceiling that defines you as a player, as a unit, as a football team," Tomlin said. "It's your floor. What I mean by that is, we're very consistent week in and week out with how we play, very little ups and downs in terms of that. We've had a few great games, but for the most part, we're solid every week. To me, that's as important as what you're capable of being."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached (813) 259-8425.

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