Here's everything you need to know about today's AFC Championship Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, from game time to odds.
Game Time: The AFC Championship Game should have a kickoff right around 6:30 p.m. Eastern from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
TV Schedule: CBS will broadcast the AFC Championship Game. Its pregame show starts at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Weather: Pittsburgh won't be in the single digits, but it will be in the teens.
Field Condition: Who knows? Heinz Field is notoriously poor, but the Steelers have been the only team using the field for almost a month, and the field didn't look so bad when the Steelers defeated the Ravens last week.
Performances: Country star Martina McBride gets national anthem duties, and will be followed by another country "star," Joe Nicols, at halftime. Hank Williams Jr., originally scheduled for halftime, had to cancel.
Odds: The Steelers are currently favored by four points at home.
As we near kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates. And for further reading, be sure to check out our Steelers blog, Behind The Steel Curtain, and our Jets blog, Gang Green Nation.
Showing posts with label Steelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steelers. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Steelers' Mike Tomlin: 'I love Rex'
One is loud. One isn't. One speaks his mind. One doesn't. One has a Super Bowl title as a head coach. The other's still in search of one. But don't tell Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin that he's not like New York's Rex Ryan. The Steelers coach actually thinks there are similarities between the two.
Tomlin isn't the type to brazenly predict his team will win the Super Bowl. And he doesn't figure to ever make use of a weekly press conference to point out that the upcoming game is "personal," as Ryan famously has during this postseason.
Tomlin also works for an organization that would, in all likelihood, politely decline allowing HBO cameras to document the team's training camp, as the Jets did this past summer for a reality series.
But throw all that out for a second. During his weekly press conference Tuesday in advance of the AFC championship game between his Steelers (13-4) and Ryan's Jets (13-5), Tomlin implied that if someone were given that kind of behind-the-scenes access to his team, they'd discover that the Jets and Steelers aren't that far apart.
"Our styles are probably more similar than you would imagine," Tomlin said. "Rex just has more fun with you guys [in the media]."
What's more, just as Ryan had several kind words for his counterpart the day before, Tomlin reciprocated the mutual admiration society Tuesday, offering a sincere, "I love Rex" when first asked about the former defensive coordinator of Pittsburgh's rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
Tomlin said there's a lot more depth to Ryan than just the sometimes-brash, wise-cracking, jovial coach who appears to be so much at ease in the spotlight standing behind a podium.
"When you see past all of those things, this is a great football coach," said Tomlin, who is in his fourth season with Pittsburgh. "He has the pulse of his football team, and he does a great job of motivating them. He's very sound schematically in all three phases, and his glass is always half-full. I appreciate that."
While some might say they're growing tired of Ryan's mouth, it's working. The Jets are in their second straight AFC Championship Game, and Ryan has a chance to match Tomlin's feat of winning a Super Bowl in only his second season as a head coach.
Plus, the case could be made that Ryan's occasional over-the-top antics are good for the game. After all, the Jets' win over the New England Patriots on Sunday was the most-watched divisional playoff game in history, and it'd be naive to suggest the buildup Ryan helped create in the week leading up to it wasn't part of that.
Still, Tomlin -- like his players did the day before -- chose not to engage in any trash talking. Not the Steelers way, of course.
"We're in the AFC championship. Likes or dislikes really are irrelevant," Tomlin said. "I think they've been pretty consistent about stating their intentions all year, which is to be world champs. I think we've been pretty consistent in stating ours. So you know where that's going to lead us -- that's two trains on a track."
Tomlin flashed his trademark, cool persona when asked whether he believed Ryan's antics benefited the NFL.
"I think he's great for the Jets, and I think that's all he's concerned about being great for," Tomlin said. "He's got them in the AFC Championship Game. I'm sure he's not concerned about the National Football League."
Ryan's Jets were one of only four teams to beat the Steelers this season, a 22-17 victory Dec. 19 at Heinz Field. But Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, of course, did not play in that game due to an Achilles injury, and Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller also sat out because of a concussion.
Both have returned, and Polamalu wasted no time showing why he is a league defensive player of the year candidate. On the second play from scrimmage in his first game back Week 17 in Cleveland, Polamalu intercepted Colt McCoy. The Steelers scored on the ensuing play en route to a blowout victory that secured the No. 2 seed.
Still, Tomlin isn't the type to suggest the absence of its top playmaker left the Steelers handcuffed in the loss.
"We weren't," Tomlin said. "We're not going to use his presence or lack of presence as an excuse for anything. We have one standard and that standard is winning. The last time we played the Jets, they beat us."
Although Polamalu will be limited in practice this week, that has become the norm in recent years. So, make no mistake. He will play Sunday. In fact, Tomlin characterized his team as "in great shape" on the injury front.
Starting offensive tackles Jonathan Scott (head) and Flozell Adams (illness) are fine, and defensive end Aaron Smith is even scheduled to fully practice for the first time since tearing his triceps Oct. 24.
"We'll see where that practice participation takes us," Tomlin said, adding that even if Smith, a former Pro Bowl player, did dress, he would have a limited role.
Tomlin said cornerback Bryant McFadden (abdominal strain) and reserve safety/special teamer Will Allen (knee sprain) will be limited in practice. William Gay will start if McFadden is unable to play.
Tomlin isn't the type to brazenly predict his team will win the Super Bowl. And he doesn't figure to ever make use of a weekly press conference to point out that the upcoming game is "personal," as Ryan famously has during this postseason.
Tomlin also works for an organization that would, in all likelihood, politely decline allowing HBO cameras to document the team's training camp, as the Jets did this past summer for a reality series.
But throw all that out for a second. During his weekly press conference Tuesday in advance of the AFC championship game between his Steelers (13-4) and Ryan's Jets (13-5), Tomlin implied that if someone were given that kind of behind-the-scenes access to his team, they'd discover that the Jets and Steelers aren't that far apart.
"Our styles are probably more similar than you would imagine," Tomlin said. "Rex just has more fun with you guys [in the media]."
What's more, just as Ryan had several kind words for his counterpart the day before, Tomlin reciprocated the mutual admiration society Tuesday, offering a sincere, "I love Rex" when first asked about the former defensive coordinator of Pittsburgh's rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
Tomlin said there's a lot more depth to Ryan than just the sometimes-brash, wise-cracking, jovial coach who appears to be so much at ease in the spotlight standing behind a podium.
"When you see past all of those things, this is a great football coach," said Tomlin, who is in his fourth season with Pittsburgh. "He has the pulse of his football team, and he does a great job of motivating them. He's very sound schematically in all three phases, and his glass is always half-full. I appreciate that."
While some might say they're growing tired of Ryan's mouth, it's working. The Jets are in their second straight AFC Championship Game, and Ryan has a chance to match Tomlin's feat of winning a Super Bowl in only his second season as a head coach.
Plus, the case could be made that Ryan's occasional over-the-top antics are good for the game. After all, the Jets' win over the New England Patriots on Sunday was the most-watched divisional playoff game in history, and it'd be naive to suggest the buildup Ryan helped create in the week leading up to it wasn't part of that.
Still, Tomlin -- like his players did the day before -- chose not to engage in any trash talking. Not the Steelers way, of course.
"We're in the AFC championship. Likes or dislikes really are irrelevant," Tomlin said. "I think they've been pretty consistent about stating their intentions all year, which is to be world champs. I think we've been pretty consistent in stating ours. So you know where that's going to lead us -- that's two trains on a track."
Tomlin flashed his trademark, cool persona when asked whether he believed Ryan's antics benefited the NFL.
"I think he's great for the Jets, and I think that's all he's concerned about being great for," Tomlin said. "He's got them in the AFC Championship Game. I'm sure he's not concerned about the National Football League."
Ryan's Jets were one of only four teams to beat the Steelers this season, a 22-17 victory Dec. 19 at Heinz Field. But Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, of course, did not play in that game due to an Achilles injury, and Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller also sat out because of a concussion.
Both have returned, and Polamalu wasted no time showing why he is a league defensive player of the year candidate. On the second play from scrimmage in his first game back Week 17 in Cleveland, Polamalu intercepted Colt McCoy. The Steelers scored on the ensuing play en route to a blowout victory that secured the No. 2 seed.
Still, Tomlin isn't the type to suggest the absence of its top playmaker left the Steelers handcuffed in the loss.
"We weren't," Tomlin said. "We're not going to use his presence or lack of presence as an excuse for anything. We have one standard and that standard is winning. The last time we played the Jets, they beat us."
Although Polamalu will be limited in practice this week, that has become the norm in recent years. So, make no mistake. He will play Sunday. In fact, Tomlin characterized his team as "in great shape" on the injury front.
Starting offensive tackles Jonathan Scott (head) and Flozell Adams (illness) are fine, and defensive end Aaron Smith is even scheduled to fully practice for the first time since tearing his triceps Oct. 24.
"We'll see where that practice participation takes us," Tomlin said, adding that even if Smith, a former Pro Bowl player, did dress, he would have a limited role.
Tomlin said cornerback Bryant McFadden (abdominal strain) and reserve safety/special teamer Will Allen (knee sprain) will be limited in practice. William Gay will start if McFadden is unable to play.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NFL Playoff Schedule: Ravens-Steelers, Packers-Falcons, Seahawks-Bears, Jets-Patriots
The NFL playoff schedule continues into the divisional round after an excellent round of games on wildcard weekend. The Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets advance in the AFC and the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks advance in the NFC. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears will host the games next weekend after their first round bye.
Here is the schedule for the divisional round of games next weekend:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m. (ET), Saturday, CBS: This is a rematch as these two teams met twice in the regular season. This is always one of the best games of the year and we're treated to the playoff edition. The Steelers will likely be favored at home but, as Baltimore showed on Sunday, this is a heck of a road team.
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:00 p.m. (ET), Saturday, FOX: The Packers surprised the Eagles and they'll move onto the Falcons, who hold the top overall seed in the NFC. Matt Ryan has lost just twice at home in his career and the Packers have been competitive in every game they've played this year.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. (ET), Sunday, FOX: The Seahawks shocked the world by beating the New Orleans Saints last week and now they'll head to Chicago to play the Bears. I said last week the Seahawks didn't have a chance against the Saints. I won't make that mistake again here.
New York Jets vs New England Patriots, 4:30 p.m. (ET), CBS: Like the other AFC game, this is the third time these two teams will meet. The Jets won the first game and the Patriots slaughtered them in round two. Round three will be highly entertaining.
Here is the schedule for the divisional round of games next weekend:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m. (ET), Saturday, CBS: This is a rematch as these two teams met twice in the regular season. This is always one of the best games of the year and we're treated to the playoff edition. The Steelers will likely be favored at home but, as Baltimore showed on Sunday, this is a heck of a road team.
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:00 p.m. (ET), Saturday, FOX: The Packers surprised the Eagles and they'll move onto the Falcons, who hold the top overall seed in the NFC. Matt Ryan has lost just twice at home in his career and the Packers have been competitive in every game they've played this year.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. (ET), Sunday, FOX: The Seahawks shocked the world by beating the New Orleans Saints last week and now they'll head to Chicago to play the Bears. I said last week the Seahawks didn't have a chance against the Saints. I won't make that mistake again here.
New York Jets vs New England Patriots, 4:30 p.m. (ET), CBS: Like the other AFC game, this is the third time these two teams will meet. The Jets won the first game and the Patriots slaughtered them in round two. Round three will be highly entertaining.
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