STEELERS TV: AGREE TO DISAGREE – 1/13/11

My responses to the statements proposed in the 1/13/11 segment of "Agree to Disagree."

The winner of the Ravens-Steelers game will go on to win the Super Bowl. -- Disagree. The winner will be a “survivor” and most likely not have enough left in the tank to beat NE which is practically getting a walkover to the Championship. My apologies to Rex Ryan.

Neither of these teams wanted this match-up this early. -- Agree. I don’t think the Steelers and Ravens really “want” to play one another since they know it usually exacts a tremendous physical toll. See above.

The key matchup is Steelers’ DC Dick LeBeau and Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco. – Disagree. I agree with Mike Prisuta. The key match-up is Ben Roethlisberger v. the Ravens defense. Secondarily it is the Steelers OL v. the Ravens front seven.

The team with more rushing ATTEMPTS will win the game. – Agree. The team with more attempts will be controlling the clock which, in a low scoring game as this should be (the last four have been decided by 3 points or less), is a critical factor.

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My critical statistic – Ben Roethlisberger has a record of 5-0 against the Ravens over the last three season. This HAS BEEN good but, due to the Weak Law of Large Numbers, will probably be BAD on Saturday.

HERE WE GO, STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

MALKIN: WITH APOLOGIES TO "THE GENOS"

OK I've laid-off of Malkin for a couple of months, at least. He did come back after a few games off and score about 10 points in three consecutive games. But, since then, very little especially for a Nine Million Dollar Man. Last time Crosby was out for an extended period of time Malkin took the team by the horns and blistered the opposition. This time, not so much. Three goals in his last eleven games? Miserable. Problem is, with this pitiful performance the Pens can't even trade him; not with that salary. Other teams would have to dump half their players just to fit him under the salary cap. And believe me that would not be worth it. Perhaps in a short run like the playoffs he can carry his weight, as he did in 2009. Long run, I'm not liking the prospects. They may even be better to cut him and pick up a couple $4.5 million forwards in free agency. Two is almost always better than one at that price.


Mike Lange has an expression when Malkin scores, "Make me a milkshake, Malkin." At the end of games in which he DOESN'T score he should state, "Give me a refund, Malkin."

2011 FEARLESS PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS--ROUND TWO

I know you're going to say, "Yeah sure," but I really was going to pick the Seahawks and Jets, I just didn't really want it to happen that way. So I'm 2-2 and one of the two I got right I wish I had gotten wrong (Ravens).

Ravens over STEELERS

New prediction: I think the NFL Channel is WAY overplaying the Ravens which is not good for them.

STEELERS over Ravens

27-13

Steelers playing better on offense? Remember it was just Cleveland and Carolina. Ravens playing better on offense? It was only Kansas City but Todd Heap is back giving them another dimension. Ravens defense playing well. Steelers defense playing well, but it was just Cleveland and Carolina with McCoy and Claussen at QB, no less. Weather is supposed to be terrible. Good for the Steelers? Maybe. If the referees don't deep six the Steelers they can win. Bottom line, Steelers still have Arians at OC; hopefully, not next season.

Packers over FALCONS

Packers play deep pass well, they pass well, they rush the passer well and their running game appears to be improving. Aaron Rodgers is more experienced than Atlanta's Matt Ryan.

PATRIOTS over Jets

Rex Ryan's mouth wont carry him through this game and, after all, it's the Patriots.

BEARS over Seahawks

The Seahawks had their Super Bowl last week. Enough said.