Three nuggets of knowledge about Saturday's Ravens-Steelers divisional game:
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Stew Milne/US Presswire Joe Flacco has a career 2-5 record against the Steelers and has never beaten Ben Roethlisberger.
Flacco's performance is key: The playoffs are where players make their names, and it's vital for third-year quarterbackJoe Flaccoto continue to play well this postseason if theBaltimore Ravensaim to make a Super Bowl run. Flacco is just 2-5 against thePittsburgh Steelersin his career and has never beaten them withBen Roethlisbergerunder center. Flacco has a solid playoff record (4-2), but he hasn't put up great numbers in those games. Flacco took a good step last week by throwing for a playoff-best 265 yards and two touchdowns in a wild-card win over theKansas City Chiefs. He needs to continue that momentum against Pittsburgh.
Will rust be an issue? The Steelers enjoyed the benefits of the bye but now have to turn it on quickly against their biggest rival. Pittsburgh hasn't played since Jan. 2 during a 41-9 thrashing of theCleveland Browns. Even then, the game wasn't competitive so several key players got rest in the fourth quarter. A slow start by either team could be the difference in this game, which is almost always close. The Ravens looked extremely sharp last week against Kansas City, and Pittsburgh needs to find a way to regain its edge despite little game action.
In good health: Both teams enter this bitter rivalry ingood shape regarding injuries. The only player who likely won't play Saturday is Steelers defensive endAaron Smith, who is listed doubtful coming off triceps surgery. The Ravens have three players questionable in centerMatt Birk(knee),Chris Carr(thigh) andTom Zbikowski(back). But of the three, Zbikowski is probably the only major concern. The real issue is how many injuries will occur in this slugfest, and will the survivor have enough left in the tank for the AFC Championship Game?
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Divisional Final Word :Ravens-Steelers|Jets-Patriots|Packers-Falcons|Seahawks-Bears
Three nuggets of knowledge about Sunday's Jets at Patriots divisional playoff game:
The Jets simply cannot pull off a 43-point swing in six weeks. Essentially, the same Jets are going into the same Gillette Stadium to play the same Patriots that obliterated them 45-3 on Dec. 6. The Jets must do two things: 1) find a way to undercut the Patriots, who have scored at least 31 points eight straight games; 2) escalate production from an offense that has been known to disappear without relying too heavily on erratic quarterbackMark Sanchez. I don't see the Jets holding the Patriots to 16 points like they did the short-handed Colts. The Jets' best shot to close the gap will be with a domineering ground attack fromLaDainian TomlinsonandShonn Greene. The Jets have been running the ball effectively, and the Patriots appear most vulnerable on the defensive line. But rushing their way to four or five touchdowns doesn't sound plausible.
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John Munson/The Star-Ledger/US Presswire Danny Woodhead accounted for 926 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.
Unlike the Colts, the Patriots can beat the Jets running or throwing. The Jets won last week by making Colts quarterbackPeyton Manninghand off. Manning counted seven Jets defensive backs simultaneously on the field at times and marveled at seeing reserve cornerbackMarquice Coleline up at defense end. The Jets could get away with that when the Colts' best running back wasDominic Rhodes. He couldn't make the Bills' roster out of training camp in 2009, spent most of the year with the UFL's Florida Tuskers and signed with the Colts last month. The Patriots, on the other hand, haveBenJarvus Green-EllisandDanny Woodheadout of the backfield with support fromFred TaylorandSammy Morris. Green-Ellis was the AFC East's lone 1,000-yard rusher this season and ran for 13 touchdowns. Woodhead gained 926 yards from scrimmage and scored six TDs.
The Patriots have more potent defense and special teams, too. The Jets lost their reputation for being opportunistic.Brad Smithreturned two kickoffs for touchdowns.Dwight Loweryhad two defensive touchdown returns, and Cole had one. But the Patriots scored nine touchdowns on defense and special teams. Inside linebackerGary Guyton,Kyle Arringtonand kick returnerBrandon Tatescored two touchdowns apiece. The Patriots also led the NFL with 25 interceptions and tied for seventh with 13 fumble recoveries. The Jets finished second with 18 fumble recoveries but collected only 12 interceptions.
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