Steelers Fun Facts & Stats - AFC Championship Edition

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 11:05 AM EST Comment 41 comments

Some interesting and fun facts and stats about the game yesterday, as well as some figures about individual and team success in the playoffs. Most come from the Steelers website.

* The Steelers 7th Super Bowl appearance is 2nd most in NFL history, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys' total of 8 appearances.

* A win however would give Pittsburgh it's 6th Lombardi Trophy - one more than the Cowboys and 49ers, who both currently are stuck on 5 titles.

* The Steelers who their first home AFC Championship Game since Heinz Field was errected in 2001.

* Hines Ward, who had to leave of course in the 2nd quarter of yesterday's game, still eclipsed the 1,000 yard plateau in his long and illustrious playoff career as a member of the Steelers. Ward finished with 3 catches for 55 yards, giving him 74 receptions for 1,021 yards in the playoffs in just 13 games.

* Hines also extended his streak of catching at least two passes in every playoff game in his career. I sure wouldn't mind seeing him add some extra polish to that Hall of Fame worthy resume of his with a huge performance in the Super Bowl.

* The victory improved the franchise's postseason record to 30-20 (.600)

* The Steelers improved to 8-0 all time against divisional foes in the playoffs (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Oilers)

* Ben Roethlisberger hit 8 different receivers yesterday. You can use that stat as part of the reason why S Ed Reed was not at all involved in the game yesterday. Ben wasn't staring anybody down. Great stuff.

* LaMarr Woodley now has 6 sacks in just 3 playoff games. Woodley joins elite company...wait, scratch that..Woodley becomes the 1st player in NFL history to have three straight multi-sack playoff games.

* Santonio Holmes seems to be emulating Hines Ward's playoff success. He has scored a TD in three straight playoff games.

* Ben Roethlisberger improved to 7-2 in his career in the playoffs, joining Troy Aikman (7), and Tom Brady (9) as the only three quarterbacks in league history with at least 7 playoff wins in their first 5 professional seasons.

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Woodley

Unreal how well he’s played, esp after he didnt get too many sacks towards the end of the reg season. Pleasantly surprised to say the least. Awesome that hes the only guy ever to get 3 straight multi-sack games. Hopefully he does it one more time!!!

by Jett on Jan 19, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

let's make it 4 straight :)

by acrollet on Jan 19, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

8-0 is super impressive against divisional foes.

Given our .600 winning percentage, the odds of winning 8 straight games randomly is .6^8 which is about 1.7%. Of course, this was supposed to be just another “insignificant” stat that would have no outcome on the game. Whatever.

by Jonny B. on Jan 19, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i didnt include them

But the stats for Pittsburgh facing a team in the playoffs theyve beaten twice before in the regular season are equally impressive. 5-0 I believe. Translation = winning three times is only hard in college basketball – thats where that phrase comes from. In the NFL, when you win twice, it’s usually because you are a superior team. We are just that when compared to Baltimore.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

we are 3-0 in those circumstances. Cleveland twice and now Baltimore.

by Jonny B. on Jan 19, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We are 1-0, howver, after being swept in the regular season. We beat Houston in ’89 after Rod Woodson forced a turnover in OT and Gary Anderson booted a 51 yard feild goal in the Astrodome.

by Jonny B. on Jan 19, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not quite right

well u are right, but thats just in the AFC title round.

• Pittsburgh is 3-0 in AFC Championship Games at home when playing a team for the third time in the same season. Pittsburgh is 5-0 at home all-time in the postseason when facing a team for the third time.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

“the stats for Pittsburgh facing a team in the playoffs theyve beaten twice before in the regular season are equally impressive. 5-0 I believe”

Which criteria are you using? Facing a team a third time or facing a team a third time we have beaten twice before?

by Jonny B. on Jan 19, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ah i see now

Gotcha Jonny. Facing a team third time doesnt necessarily mean sweeping them. Overlooked that :)

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/19/AR2009011900016_2.html?hpid=topnews&sub=AR&sid=ST2009011900035&s_pos=

Here’s a great little article doling out praise where praise is due this weekend. Check it out.

Brandona

by PrimantisStillersNAt on Jan 19, 2009 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations from a Giants fan

Hi guys, just wanted to congratulate you, and let you know I will be rooting for you in the Supe. I have always admired the Steelers because to me they most closely resemble my Giants. Family owned, devoted fan base, and its always about the defense. Yesterday’s game was like a fight out of Rocky movie, both teams just standing in the middle of the field absolutely brutalizing each other. I’m also a big fan of Ben and Troy, who for my money is one of the best defensive players I’ve ever seen.

Best of luck in Tampa, and enjoy yourselves.

Jim

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 19, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks jim :)

NYG and PIT very similar indeed in how theyre run at the top.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Good of you to stop in.

by Varmint on Jan 19, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giants are my NFC team, for same reasons

Same football values, same knowledgable fans – Pitt and NYG.

by rushthequarterback on Jan 19, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I remember really hoping we’d hire Parcells after he retired the first time, because I thought he’d fit the Steelers’ mold so well. Of course, at that time, I had no clue who Bill Cowher was.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 20, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Troy and Ben

ESPN had Troy Aikman listed as having six playoff wins in his first five years, putting Ben in sole possession of second place. I think the discrepancy is because Troy missed a playoff win due to injury.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 11:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ahhhh...Glorious morning

(1) woke up with no hangover
(2) remembered the win as I awoke…almost as good as seeing it live.

Thoughts on Ravens’ prospects for next year? Everyone keeps saying the should improve but I’m not convinced.

They obviously need help at the skill player positions…Mason should be a #3 WR by now, Clayton and Heap are garbage, and I don’t know if Willis and SLRMC (“Slow LaRon McClain”) are enough for a dominant running game.

The real problem as I see it is…they have so many free agents that need to be re-signed that I don’t know how they go out and add too much ekse. Suggs, Lewis, and Scott are all unrestricted. Not to mention Ryan is out. They could luck out in the draft, but who really feels comfortable taking a WR in the 1st or 2nd round…

We’ll see if Flacco progresses, but that is not a foregone conclusion. Their offense managed only 20 points on 6 turnovers against Miami and Flacco had a horrible game. Then, their offense managed only 13 points on 4 turnovers against Tennessee. I don’t know how that can be corrected by next season.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

im not..totally in the Ravens missed their best chance for next 5 years camp

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

me neither

i’m afraid they will be a force to be reckoned with for awhile.

...die trying
http://www.agentorangerecords.blogspot.com

by agentorange on Jan 19, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no, no..

clarification orange:

I think the Ravens are going to regress quite a bit..or if not regress, be a bit stagnate as they restock some on defense and add more weapons on offense. Not to mention keep improving the O Line. They’re not on the same upswing as the Steelers are based on the status of their roster, imo. Baltimore missed their chance to get a ring and now I think they’ll be lucky to be back in this psotion for a number of years.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but who knows

i just dont think Flacco being a 2nd yea rplayer is going to elevate everybody on the team. There are other issues to be addressed by them.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

all that said

Ravens will still give us nasty competitive games in the future – rivals always do, at least those that are well run in the front office, which Baltimore is for the most part.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i guess that's what i meant

when i imagine us playing the ravens next year, i don’t see it looking like a steelers browns game. i see them playing physical stifling defense with a developing gifted qtrback. i see more close games and physical battles. i’m not saying they are my fave for the superbowl next year or anything. i just don’t see how this was their only chance.

...die trying
http://www.agentorangerecords.blogspot.com

by agentorange on Jan 19, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

realized thats what your point was when I re-read. And I agree there. They wont lie down for us anytime soon. Thats for sure.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean they are obviously talented defensively...

but how do you improve the offense and re-sign all your defensive FAs? and I don’t think you can count the defense being as dominant with a new coordinator.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's see what happens in the offseason

…with their FAs. Don’t forget that the Ravens were missing CB Chris McAllister for most of the season and Rolle, their other starting CB, was missing yesterday as well. They need to improve their WRs as well, but Mason was playing with one arm for the last couple of months. Flacco will probably get better, and their coach will have a second year to reshape the team. I think the Ravens will probably be at least good next year, but they have a lot of work to do to even stay at the high level they are at right now.

by Steelin on Jan 19, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Neurologically Intact"

Not the diagnosis you want to hear when the doctor comes in with the clipboard….I wanna hear “you’re gonna be fine…want a lollipop”

Seems like he will be alright, but that is not a ringing endorsement.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ARZ on two weeks rest...

Great coaching staff over there, but maybe it will hurt them to have 2 weeks off since they have been such a streaky team this year. Lose some of the timing on those pass plays.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thought same thing

Not best time for week off for them – though another two weeks to get the disgruntled Boldin healthy cant hurt.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True True

Plus, Steelers have already stopped two extremely hot teams.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dick Lebeau's homework assignment for the next 2 weeks

Figure out what Arizona has done differently on their pass protection since the playoffs started. That’s what stood out for me in their game against Philly: a team that can bring a mean pass rush couldn’t get any pressure on Warner. If the Steelers can solve the AZ offensive line, it’ll be a rough day for Warner et al.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jan 19, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Warner is ripe for sacks, fumbles, and picks if he doesn’t have quick outlets.

It looked like Philly would blitz and back off into coverage on some of the plays they were burnt on.

ARZ also plays really well at home…though they did take Carolina’s lunch money last weekend…but a lot of that was care of Jake and his mistakes. All of their scoring drives started at their 40 or better…blessed field position.

by HoustonPA on Jan 19, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals' working the blitz

One that has struck me is that most commentators still seem to believe that our defensive identity is as a complex blitzing team. This year, that has not been the case. We have brought them some, but for the most part, we have a physically superior defense that is able to get pressure with 4 or 5 pass rushers. Generally, we have been able to drop 6 or 7 in coverage, and they are still fast enough to get up to the line an shut down most running plays.

That said, I’m still worried about the Cardinals, but I’m always worried. I haven’t felt comfortable being the favorite in the playoffs since ’94. And, I worry about the possibility that, as sometimes happens, the former assistant is able to do better than usual against his former team.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 20, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woodley

The only thing worse than facing him, is when he’s backing into you.

Helluva player

by Varmint on Jan 19, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

that was great – as I said in the game thread, he must have gotten tutoring from polamalu on the ‘backwards tackle’ special move

by acrollet on Jan 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woodley's special move:

X, triangle, O, O, R2.

He climbs up onto the back of Harrison, does a forward flip, and tackles the ball carrier with his back.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Jan 19, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

that was an awesome play. loved it. by any means necessary.

...die trying
http://www.agentorangerecords.blogspot.com

by agentorange on Jan 19, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

by any means necessary

by steelguy99 on Jan 19, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woodley and Pola'

Really, Woodley is the first ever to have 3 straight multi-sack games? Playoffs or just any games in a row? I find that hard to believe but I guess its cool by me.

Polamalu’s 4th and 1 stop was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Besides whatever the ref was hallucinating with all those drugs he musta been using.

by Mechem on Jan 19, 2009 3:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

playoffs

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Jan 19, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pretty darn impressive

Despite being over two playoff years, its still pretty sweet. I have a feeling he could make it a 4 in a row.

Also, I think Silverback has a good day cause the Card’s LT sucks pretty hard. He was barely getting to the rusher and a few times just basically patted him on the back. I think we can handle him.

by Mechem on Jan 19, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs