I know there will be an "official" thread for this, but I just wanted to trade first impressions. I didn't see either the Jets or Steelers as an easier matchup. I wanted the Steelers so we can talk football the next two weeks instead of listening to the Jets media circus.

Both games today were kind of similar, with the favored team running up a pretty big lead, and the other team making it interesting down the stretch. Both game-winning QBs had subpar games and threw two interceptions and ran for one.

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It is a very interesting match-up. Both play a similar style of 3-4, both have offenses capable of exploiting the style the opposing defense plays.

They played last year, and it came down to the end of the game for a winner to emerge. I do not see any one team having a greater advantage over the other... it should make for an interesting (and emotion wrenching) match.

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The reason why I wanted the Jets was because I wanted Sanchez over Big Ben. Ben is clutch, he makes plays when has too, and he does an outstanding job against the rush. Some initial thoughts:

1. The Steelers D originated with Dom Capers. He probably knows their plays better than anyone else. They run a very similar D to ours, and that will be huge.

2. Packers D-line Vs Steelers O-line. I'm confident we can get pressure on the Steelers. However, I'm not so confident we can bring him down.

3. The Steelers have been there and done that. They have won two SBs recently. They are not going to be as hungry as the Packers. We all saw this in 97 when the hungry Broncos beat the Packers. I still say that Packers team was more talented than the Broncos, but the Broncos won that game because they wanted it more. I think a similar situation will take place here.

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Offtopic...

Did anyone else notice the butt sex Mendenhall gave to Big Ben at the end of the game? Guess they have a different kind of "victory formation" in Pittsburgh.

I like the way you think.

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I really don't buy that one team is 'hungrier' than another when you get to the super bowl, no matter what it may appear to an outsider. I don't care if you've been there 80 times, 1 billion viewers, and 2 weeks of media hype have to get you excited for a game.

From a historical perspective, I think this is a very interesting game with arguably the two most storied franchises from their respective conferences represented in the game.

I noticed that, too. It was hilarious, in a very homosexual way, lol.

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I believe the Packers have the chance to be the first 6th seed ever to knock out two No. 2 seeds and one No. 1 seed in the same playoffs.

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I'm confident in Rodgers' ability to pass on them. When facing spread formations, the Steelers don't have much success in sub packages -- when they actually do decide to use them. Look at the film of the Pats game, short passes between their linebacker zones and against their nickel package worked very well. They have a stubborn attitude on defense in that they don't like to leave their base very frequently.

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