Live-blogging the AFC Championship

In order for my post not to grow from gigantic to gargantuan, I'm making a separate one for the AFC Championship game. I'll try to learn from my initial venture, and put the most recent updates at the top. And, I didn't really realize the game started at 5:30 so I missed the first half of the first quarter while eating dinner. Sorry!

Steelers 23, Ravens 14
Final
As I'll try to explore later, Joe Flacco did not have a very good season in my opinion. Just because he's a rookie, I don't really see the need to pretend that he is a future Hall of Famer. When the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001, pundits considered Trent Dilfer the worst Super Bowl quarterback ever, even though I'm sure his statistics are comparable (mediocre, at best) to Flacco this season.

That being said, Flacco is just a rookie. It takes time to get used the NFL, and I read a revealing explanation somewhere that said Flacco has essentially played two consecutive college seasons this year because he has played 19 games. Roethlisberger lost his first conference championship game, in his first season, but has since won the Super Bowl and is now going back for his second appearance.

That's all for tonight, but I'll try to post several times this week.

Steelers 23, Ravens 14
Fourth quarter, 4:00
Baltimore made a determined effort to block the extra-point attempt, because now it's a two possession game. The atmosphere on the field, in the stadium, and in the broadcasting booth is somber during the final minutes after Ravens running back Willis McGahee was carted off with what appears to be a serious injury.

Steelers 16, Ravens 14
Fourth quarter, 12:00
That opening reverse -- that's an actual reverse; what you typically see is an end-around -- was exactly what the Ravens needed for a spark to put together a touchdown drive. Polamulu jumped over the lines again, but Ravens running back Willis McGahee snuck to the outside and ended the play as one of the few players on the field still standing.

Steelers 16, Ravens 7
Fourth quarter, 15:00
I really am not biased against defense, but it is admittedly harder to write about than the offensive side of the ball. I'll lay some blame on television, which focuses on the offense, and some on myself. Now that it's a two-possession game, the Ravens really need to get points of some sort on their next drive. Neither team has really been able to run the ball, so Baltimore shouldn't be too afraid of Pittsburgh running out the clock, but time is not to their advantage.

Steelers 13, Ravens 7
Third quarter, 10:00
It's still anybody's game, and was that really unexpected? Both regular-season meetings between the teams were close, and this game remains within one possession. My one prediction? Ben Roethlisberger has extended plays with his feet, but he's going to throw an interception or lose a fumble by being less aware of his surroundings at least once during the remainder of the game. He almost did on the latest sack, and then gained the presence of mind to go down willingly.

Steelers 13, Ravens 7
Halftime
Pittsburgh definitely left some points on the field at the end of the half with some bad clock management. That's quite the faux pas in any game, particularly one that will likely be low scoring.

Steelers wide receiver partially made up for his dropped pass with a devastating block a few plays later -- the rookie is clearly learning from Hines Ward, who is known as the best blocking wide receiver in the league.

Steelers 13, Ravens 0
Second quarter, 14:00
There's one such big play. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger kept another play alive with his feet, and although the coverage was excellent, everything fell into place during Santonio Holmes' touchdown run. The blocks downfield by his fellow wide receivers weren't excellent, but their effort caused enough distractions.

Steelers 6, Ravens 0
Second quarter, 15:00
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu might have been the first player in NFL history to make a tackle while being completely suspended in the air. His efforts on both third- and fourth-down stops were largely cosmetic, but they embody the attitude of the defense.

This game will most likely remain low-scoring, so it could very well be one big play -- a punt return, long reception or blocked field goal -- that makes the difference. And although we like to unfairly weight plays that occur in the fourth quarter, that play can come at any time in the game, and provide some important momentum.

Steelers 6, Ravens 0
First quarter, 2:00
Baltimore only has eight yards of offense as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled, going 1-for-7 with an interception so far. Pittsburgh's offense doesn't look great statistically but it has been efficient enough to drive down the field. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis makes the big play the Ravens needed, forcing a fumble.

Steelers 6, Ravens 0
First quarter, 6:30
What an interesting situation to see Steelers coach Mike Tomlin throw the challenge flag, only to be pre-empted by Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Great call by Harbaugh. What seemed to be a Steelers touchdown, or their ball at the 1-yard-line turned into another field goal attempt.

The CBS announcers didn't seem aware of this, but Bill Carrolo was providing information to another official at the instant replay booth to make sure the call wouldn't be misrepresented once the referee returned to the field of play, a problem that occurred when Pittsburgh beat San Diego 11-10 in the regular season.