Steelers

PITTSBURGH - When the Steelers made their last successful Super Bowl run after the 2005 season, Antwaan Randle El - the multitalented wide receiver and special teams player - made a handful of key plays that propelled Pittsburgh through the postseason. But after throwing a touchdown pass in the Steelers' Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks, Randle El left for the Washington Redskins as a free agent during the offseason, and the Steelers immediately moved to fill the gap with first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes.

PITTSBURGH - The Ravens' improbable Super Bowl run ended with an uncharacteristic performance by Joe Flacco. Finally looking like a rookie quarterback in the playoffs, Flacco made critical mistakes that cost the Ravens in a 23-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in yesterday's AFC championship game. The sixth-seeded Ravens (13-6) rebounded from a 5-11 season because of the big arm and poise of Flacco. But they couldn't return to the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., because of him. With a windchill of 15 degrees at Heinz Field, the NFL's top-ranked defense turned Joe Cool into Joe Cold.

Come Monday - as Jimmy Buffett once sang - either Kurt Warner or Ben Roethlisberger will be the proud owner of two Super Bowl rings. And because we live in a media culture that demands everything must be instantly analyzed as if the future of civilization depends on it, you're going to hear a lot of talk about how the winner has likely earned himself a bust in the Hall of Fame. Don't believe the hype. In Roethlisberger's case, it's simply too early to make any kind of judgment about his career.

They will flock from every direction, clad in black and gold, hungry for pierogi and eager to watch their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers win a record sixth Super Bowl. Sure, that scene will unfold at countless Pittsburgh bars and eateries today. But it's also a pretty good guess of how things will look at Harold's Corral. Why is that remarkable? Well, because Harold's is on the outskirts of Phoenix, about 30 miles from where the Arizona Cardinals play their home games. Yes, it's very possible that the most raucous collection of football fans in Arizona will not be rooting for the Cardinals today.

When the Ravens were watching the AFC divisional game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers on Sunday, they found themselves in an unusual situation. The Ravens players were actually rooting for the Steelers. As in most of the postseason, the Ravens got what they wanted, gaining a rematch - or third grudge match - with their division rivals in Sunday's AFC championship game. "We were kind of hoping for it. It's an opportunity for one of our organizations to really build up the level of hatred," Ravens inside linebacker Bart Scott said.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Hit rendered us all motionless. At the point of contact, it was perhaps no different from the legalized brutality we will celebrate every weekend. One man hits another. Maybe he inflicts pain. Or maybe he simply jars the ball loose. At any rate, half the fans scream, half wince, and in short order they all get excited about the prospect of seeing an even bigger hit on the next play. But this time, Ravens running back Willis McGahee lay still on the field, and for a few brief minutes, we were all left motionless.

NFC Matchup: Philadelphia (10-6-1) at New York (12-4), 1 p.m. TV: Chs. 45, 5 Line: Giants by 4 Rematch: The teams split the season series, each winning on the road. The Eagles were in must-win mode Dec. 7 when they beat the Giants, 20-14. Brian Westbrook (right) had 203 yards from scrimmage. The last time they played in the postseason, after the 2006 season, the Eagles won, 23-20. Difference-makers: The elusive Westbrook and rookie WR DeSean Jackson are the Eagles' playmakers. QB Donovan McNabb is 8-5 in the postseason.

In allowing injured Steve McNair to rest for another week, the Ravens are adamant about avoiding an unwanted pain - a quarterback controversy. Even if backup Kyle Boller, who is 2-0 as a starter this season, has a solid outing Sunday at the Buffalo Bills, coach Brian Billick said he would not be tempted to keep him as the starter. At yesterday's news conference, Billick emphasized that McNair will return as the starting quarterback for the Ravens (4-2) after the bye if he has recovered from groin and back injuries.

Willis McGahee is out with fractured ribs. Troy Smith likely will remain the starting quarterback. And it's anyone's guess who will be starting at tight end. The massive number of injuries that have marred the Ravens' season will affect the team through the final regular-season game. Steelers@Ravens Sunday, 4:15 p.m., Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Steelers by 6

PITTSBURGH -- In a season in which the Ravens have taken several shots to their pride, they might have received the knockout blow last night. Fumbling and bumbling their way before a national television audience, the Ravens embarrassed themselves in a 38-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at rain-soaked Heinz Field. After humbling losses at Cleveland and Buffalo, the Ravens bottomed out with their largest margin of defeat of the nine-year Brian Billick era. It was a sobering loss filled with three lost fumbles, numerous sacks and overmatched play in the secondary, all of which put a major dent in the Ravens' chances of repeating as AFC North champions.

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Result: W, 31-26 Week 3 BROWNS Result: W, 34-3 Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Result: L, 27-21 Week 5 BENGALS Result: L, 17-14 Week 6 AT VIKINGS Result: L, 33-31 Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20 p.m. Week 13 AT PACKERS Monday, Dec. 7...

While the Ravens (3-3) were on a bye Sunday, the two teams in front of them in the AFC North extended their division lead. The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) took down the undefeated Minnesota Vikings with two late defensive touchdowns in a 27-17 victory at Heinz Field. Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson and the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) drubbed the Chicago Bears, 45-10. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns (1-6) continued to falter, losing to the Green Bay Packers, 31-3. NFL coverage, PG 5 AFC NORTH STANDINGS W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div 1. Cincinnati Bengals 5 2 0 .714 163 128 2-2-0 3-0-0 3-2-0 2-0-0 3-0-0 2. Pittsburgh Steelers 5 2 0 .714 167 129 4-0-0 1-2-0 3-1-0 2-1-0 1-1-0 3. Ravens 3 3 0 .500 169 130 2-1-0 1-2-0 3-2-0 0-1-0 1-1-0 4. Cleveland Browns 1 6 0 .143 72 179 0-3-0 1-3-0 1-4-0 0-2-0 0-3-0

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Result: W, 31-26 Week 3 BROWNS Result: W, 34-3 Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Result: L, 27-21 Week 5 BENGALS Result: L, 17-14 Week 6 AT VIKINGS Sunday 1 p.m. Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday, Nov. 1 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20 p.m. Week 13 AT PACKERS Monday, Dec....

In the final seconds of Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the disgruntled voices emanating inside M&T Bank Stadium shouted "Refs, you [stink]" while a crowd of 71,161 waved their fingers at the officials. The Ravens, however, pointed at only themselves. Although they disagreed with three defensive penalties on the Bengals' game-winning drive, the Ravens blamed themselves - not the officials - for losing their grip on first place in the AFC North. The final, painful blow came when the Ravens let Cincinnati wide receiver Andre Caldwell run wide open for a 20-yard touchdown catch with 22 seconds left, capping one of the most excruciating defensive series in team history.

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Result: W, 31-26 Week 3 BROWNS Result: W, 34-3 Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Result: L, 27-21 Week 5 BENGALS Result: L, 17-14 Week 6 AT VIKINGS Sunday 1 p.m. Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday, Nov. 1 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20 p.m. Week 13 AT PACKERS Monday, Dec....

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Result: W, 31-26 Week 3 BROWNS Result: W, 34-3 Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Result: L, 27-21 Week 5 BENGALS Sunday 1 p.m. Week 6 AT VIKINGS Sunday, Oct. 18 1 p.m. Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday, Nov. 1 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20 p.m. Week 13 AT PACKERS Monday, Dec....

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Result: W, 31-26 Week 3 BROWNS Result: W, 34-3 Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Sunday 1 p.m. Week 5 BENGALS Sunday, Oct. 11 1 p.m. Week 6 AT VIKINGS Sunday, Oct. 18 1 p.m. Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday, Nov. 1 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20 p.m. Week 13 AT PACKERS Monday,...

Week 1 CHIEFS Result: W, 38-24 Week 2 AT CHARGERS Sunday, Sept. 20 4:15 p.m. Week 3 BROWNS Sunday, Sept. 27 1 p.m Week 4 AT PATRIOTS Sunday, Oct. 4 1 p.m. Week 5 BENGALS Sunday, Oct. 11 1 p.m. Week 6 AT VIKINGS Sunday, Oct. 18 1 p.m. Week 7 BYE WEEK Week 8 BRONCOS Sunday, Nov. 1 1 p.m. Week 9 AT BENGALS Sunday, Nov 8 1 p.m. Week 10 AT BROWNS Monday, Nov. 16 8:30 p.m. Week 11 COLTS Sunday, Nov. 22 1 p.m. Week 12 STEELERS Sunday, Nov. 29 8:20...

As the Ravens open the regular season today against the Kansas City Chiefs, John Harbaugh enters his second season as Baltimore's head coach with heightened expectations. He has heard about the fans' Super Bowl aspirations and their pleas to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (more than you can count, in fact). In a sit-down with The Baltimore Sun's Jamison Hensley, Harbaugh addresses the championship buzz, the criticism of his wide receivers, his confidence in a new kicker and whether there is a secret to reaching the playoffs in consecutive seasons - something the Ravens have done only once in team history.

Week Opponent Date Time Jamison Hensley's comments 1 CHIEFS Sunday, Sept. 13 1 p.m. Surprisingly, the Ravens have not beaten the Chiefs in Baltimore (0-3 all time). 2 AT CHARGERS Sunday, Sept. 20 4:15 p.m. The Ravens can't let Antonio Gates run free the way he did in 2007. 3 BROWNS Sunday, Sept. 27 1 p.m The Ravens have won five of the past six against the Browns at M&T Bank stadium. 4 AT PATRIOTS Sunday, Oct. 4 1 p.m. The Patriots are one of two teams the Ravens have not beaten in the regular season (the other: Carolina)