Though I am a bigger fan of college football than I am of the NFL, it is hard not to get excited about the playoffs this year. The top teams everyone thought would still be playing are not. New England and Indianapolis are out, suprisingly and the Bears are too, which is not so shocking. (Hard to win games with Kyle Orton or a QB who has never played a full season in the NFL and only two in college, Grossman left after his redshirt Sophomore year) But I digress, Pittsburgh-Denver and Carolina-Seattle both lack the 'star power' of the Mannings and Bradys of the world, but what great matchups.
Pittsburgh-Denver
Maybe the best game this postseason looks to take place in Denver. Bill Cowher, one of the most consistent coaches ever in the NFL, continues to show why he keeps winning. This is the 6th time in 12 years they have been in the AFC title game but their postseason success in much like that of the Atlanta Braves. (Cowher reminds me a lot of Bobby Cox - regular season genius, and then nothing in the playoffs) But with Jerome Bettis playing to cap off a great career and a top three QB at the helm with Big Ben, this team looks good. They shut down the high powered Indy offense and moved the ball fairly well on their much improved defense. Even with their sluggish mid-season, this team just came off a huge upset, one of the biggest in a decade, and has a lot going for them...
However, Denver's success story is much the same. They handed the playoff god Tom Brady his first loss ever and knocked off a team people though could go far. Their offense is truly balanced. Mike Shanahan, who could turn Tony Yelk into a great running back, can run or throw on you. Jake Plummer, an underrated QB who needed a chance to prove himself, has done just that. Their defense is stout and playing at home will be a definite advantage.
Knowing all this, let me throw out my prediction. Denver will be tough, but Pittsburgh wants the Bus to get a ring. Their playing really well and if their offense gets going and Big Ben doesn't make mistakes, the Steelers come away with a win, 23-17.
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And Josh Williams thought I was crazy for picking Pittsburgh over Indy last week...
Going into this postseason I had a feeling the team to beat is the Steelers, as Ben's got something to prove and Bettis is a man with a mission. They're my pick to win the Superbowl.
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