Broncos vs. Steelers for AFC Championship

self | 1/21/06 | TPartyType

[TPartyType]

Okay, let's get it started in here . . .

Here's my prediction: Broncos win the AFC and play the Seahawks in the Superbowl. Wouldn't it be interesting, to see these old AFC rivals take on each other in the Big Show!?

Whoa! sez the Steelers fan! Not so fast. Okay, here's why I think the Broncos will beat them: Home field advantage, no injuries, they're on a roll, AND, especially, because their record is 13-3 (IN THE AFC WEST) and the Steelers are 11-5. BIG difference.

I love Cowher as a coach, and I have lots of family ties to the Steelers, but the Broncos is headed back to the Super Bowl, baaaaby!!

I don't have much to say about the Seahawks and Panthers. I just think Holmgren's got them where he wants them, the Seahawk fans have finally got that "12th-man" thing down, and, though Carolina's really dominant, I don't think they're good enough to beat the Seahawks right now. What do you think?

[Ros42]

[NRA1995]

Sitting here giggling at the great John Elway and "The Quarter" when the Redskins played Denver in the Super Bowl....the Redskins 35, Broncos 0 quarter, that is....

[TPartyType]

Awesome! Thanks.

[TPartyType]

yeah, yeah, yeah .. .

I remember that quarter, too. *gag reflex*

The 'skins were "unconscious"! The Broncos were shell shocked . . .

[luv2ski]

Having been a Broncos fan since moving to Denver in 1969, I have lived through all of the Super Bowls (and near Super Bowls!). I am concerned about the Steelers' success getting to Manning last week. Plus they have a good running game that will be tough to stop. No one gave the Steelers a chance of winning in Indianapolis last week either so the odds give me no comfort. I guess the bottom line is that I am always nervous when the Broncos play. You just never know who is going to show up: the world beaters or the ones with their tail tucked between their legs...

[TPartyType]

I, too, have been known to refer to my team as the "Donkeys" on occasion! But did you see how physical they were last week? My gosh . . .that defensive line is brutal! AND, I think they're just starting to realize how fun it is to wear the blue and orange!!

If the Steelers get to Jake, he'll just scramble . . . where he's really dangerous. Yep, he messes up sometimes, but, (and my fingers are crossed) he may have recently exorcised that demon. We'll see tomorrow!

[Beowulf]

"Here's my prediction: Broncos win the AFC and play the Seahawks in the Superbowl. Wouldn't it be interesting, to see these old AFC rivals take on each other in the Big Show!?"

Not as interesting to some as the Steelers (again) going for "one for the thumb".

"Okay, here's why I think the Broncos will beat them: Home field advantage ...

The Steelers know all about home-field advantage for the AFC Championship, having lost 3 of 4 in Pittsburgh during the Cowher era. In addition, the Steelers have won two playoff games on the road in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, avenging regular season losses on the road against those same teams.

...no injuries ...

The Steelers are pretty healthy, too.

...they're on a roll ...

Ditto the Steelers. Six big wins after a short mid-season slump.

... AND, especially, because their record is 13-3 (IN THE AFC WEST) and the Steelers are 11-5. BIG difference."

If only that meant something last season when the Steelers were 15-1 in the regular season (no team had ever won more regular season games) and yet they lost in the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh.

[luv2ski]

Yeah, I know, and I hope you're right. I just don't get the "they're invincible" feeling about this group that I had about the last 2 Elway teams. One more thing: anyone who thinks we won last week because the Pats played badly is mistaken. Good teams create their own opportunities. Brady threw interceptions because he was pressured and rattled, receivers fumbled because the coverage was bearing down on them fast, etc. They definitely controlled their own destiny last week but, then, so did the Steelers! Here's to a great game tomorrow!

[TPartyType]

Home field advantage ...

one big difference: It's a MILE high! Teams just cannot prepare for that in one week's time. By the fourth quarter their players' lungs are on fire, they're really, really tired, and they feel as though they're going to pass out from oxygen deprivation (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating!! :-) but, still, don't underestimate the value of that advantage.

no injuries . . . I'll grant you both teams are healthy.

AND this is going to be a smashmouth football game between two fierce defenses.

AND, especially, because their record is 13-3 (IN THE AFC WEST) and the Steelers are 11-5. BIG difference."

You missed my point about the AFC West. The AFC West is the most competitive division at present. Period.

[TPartyType]

I agree. Good analysis.

[RockinRight]

The official RockinRight prediction:

Steelers by 6.

[TPartyType]

Gotta go hit the "Honey-do List." Have a good day, all! See ya at the game . . .

[Beowulf]

I am of the belief that the "mile high" thing is largely hype. These are professional athletes and it's not like the game is non-stop action. The Steelers can counter the psychological aspect of the hype by sucking oxygen on the sidelines.

You missed my point about the AFC West. The AFC West is the most competitive division at present. Period.

Everyone has an opinion. I make no predictions, but I like the Steelers' chances.

Besides, the Steelers are on a mission to send the Bus off to Canton with a championship in his hometown of Detroit. It makes a good story. It has the makings of an exciting game.

[TPartyType]

Yep, it'll be exciting.

BTW, have you ever been on a hike in the mountains at a mile high? The air is much thinner . . . all hype notwithstanding.

[Uri’el-2012]

Sitting here giggling at the great John Elway and "The Quarter" when the Redskins played Denver in the Super Bowl....the Redskins 35, Broncos 0 quarter, that is....

22 posted on 01/21/2006 9:50:24 AM MST by NRA1995

That was during the days of the "stupid texan" Dan Reeves.

He would complain on television that the donkeys
lost because the defense didn't put points on the board.

If Shanahan had been coach instead of Reeves,
the Broncos would have dominated the NFL.

Those were the days of the Orange Crush.
The one constant thing throughout was defensive coordinator Joe Collier.

[TPartyType]

Reeves was no Shanahan BUMP!

[Beowulf]

BTW, have you ever been on a hike in the mountains at a mile high? The air is much thinner . . . all hype notwithstanding.

The aerobic requirements for football are somewhat greater than baseball but significantly less than for basketball (the Denver Nuggets home record is nothing special) and soccer, for instance.

The air is equally thin for all who play at altitude. I think the "mile high" thing is a psych-out attempt, and a relatively weak one at that.

[TPartyType]

re: #9 ". . . no one TEAM is dominant . . ."

[TPartyType]

You make a good point, but I've seen a lot of teams over the years suckin' wind by mid-4th quarter. Everybody talks about how far the ball travels for kickers there, too. Is that just hype?

[TPartyType]

On second thought, I take it back. You've committed a non-sequitur fallacy.

It does not follow that because all those teams play in the Mile High City, and the air is thin there, their records should all reflect dominance against away teams from lower altitudes. Coaching, team rosters, etc. make the difference.

I was merely pointing out one isolated factor that makes the Denver home field advantage different that other venues around the NFL. HA! Take that . . . :o)