The Sports Monitor

The Steelers' loss to the Broncos in the playoffs still is fresh in my head, even though in was way back in wild-card weekend. Also notable from that loss was a comment made by Hines Ward after the Steelers' surprising loss 29-23 loss: "This will stick with (us) a lot as one of the worst games we ever lost." Yeah, that was a tough loss to take, but I'm not sure it cracks this list: Steelers lose 24-7 to the Raiders in the 1976 AFC Championship Game. The Raiders beat a Steelers team without Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. This was probably the best Steelers team of all time and the injuries prevented the Steelers from winning three straight Super Bowls. Steelers lose to Cowboys 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. Neil O'Donnell makes Larry Brown the Super Bowl MVP.  Steelers lose to Patriots 24-21 in AFC Championship Game in January 2002. Troy Brown returns a punt for a TD. Steelers lose to Chargers 17-13 in AFC Championship Game in 1995. Ugly loss to a team th...

After watching the two championship games Sunday night, one thing became clear. An argument can be made that the Ravens and 49ers both lost the games instead of the Patriots and Giants winning. That being said, which goat from the two games would you rather be Billy Cundiff, the Ravens kicker who missed a 32-yard field goal that would have sent the AFC Championship Game into overtime Kyle Williams, the 49ers punt returner who had to bad miscues, the last set up the Giants' game-winning kick in overtime I think I'd rather be Cundiff. And I made that decision before reports surfaced that Williams was receiving death threats. What's your take?

This entire postseason, we've heard all about the offenses in the NFL. Then they played the games. The defenses have stood out the past couple weeks, and I'd expect that to be the case for today's conference championship games. The consensus is a Patriots-Giants Super Bowl, and there's nothing wrong with thinking that. I'm not sold on it happening, however. AFC Championship Game: Ravens at Patriots It's all about Tom Brady in New England. He's gotten all of the hype, and after a six-touchdown pass game, he deserves it. However, it's the defense that people will talk about after the game. The Ravens know how to beat the Pats. They have the running game to keep the ball away from Brady and the Patriots' offense. The big question is whether the Ravens will get the play needed from their quarterback to win. Many people have their doubts, including members of the Ravens. Somehow, with Ray Rice running the ball, and the Ravens smacki...

Is Bruce Arians on his way out of Pittsburgh? I fell for that two years ago when it was reported Arians wasn't going to return. I'll refrain from cheering until I hear it's official. I'll also refrain until I hear who replaces him. Instead, I'll repeat my position on Arians. If he is such a good coordinator, as some might say -- or, at the very least, his supporters say Arians doesn't deserve the criticism -- why is Arians never mentioned as a possible head coaching candidate? Seriously. Why is Arians never on the short list of any vacancy in the NFL? I simply do not recall him getting any mentions as a head coach. Why? The Steelers have been to two Super Bowls recently, winning one of them. Usually coordinators on successful teams have teams beating down their doors for interviews. With Arians? There's no such clamor. The clamoring is from people asking for him to leave. They might get their wish. I'm in that camp, but I'm hesi...

Alex Smith to Vernon Davis. Seriously? Smith to Davis? The next Montana to Clark in 49ers' lore? That's what they're saying in San Francisco after Saturday's thrilling 36-32 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC divisional playoffs. It's a great win for San Francisco fans. And Davis' grab at the end of the game was one heck of a play. He took quite a hit in the end zone. But let's not make them legends just yet. So excuse me while a rain on their parade. Once Smith continues to perform at a level warranted of legends like Joe Montana, then throw him in that class. San Francisco's defense deserves some credit, too, for picking off Saints quarterback Drew Brees twice and recovering two fumbles. The Niners offense, however, continued to look like it was allergic to the end zone until the end of the game. So, San Fran fans, enjoy the win. It likely won't happen next week. The 49ers still are flawed and I would pick against them in ...

I had a rough weekend picking the wild-card round. I had too many outside influences on my choices. Fantasy football leagues, home teams, allegiances all came into play. I've eliminated all the outside factors this week. It's time to bounce back. Saints at 49ers: Classic matchup between great offense and great defense. The Niners are at home and on grass, which should slow down the Saints, but I don't see how Alex Smith can lead San Fran past Drew Brees and the Saints. If the Niners are to win, the defense will need some turnovers and probably score at least one touchdown. The Saints are just too much. Saints 27, 49ers 16 Giants at Packers: Don't look now, but the Giants defense on a roll. They will face a serious test against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but they are peaking at the right time. Will it be enough? I don't think so. All season, Rodgers and Co. have come through, putting up the points when needed. The Giants might shut d...

I know I'm on the wrong side of the majority here, but I don't see Alabama as the deserving No. 1 team in the country after Monday's win over LSU in the BCS championship game. Part of that is my belief that Alabama didn't deserve to be in the game in the first place. The Crimson Tide didn't win their division in the SEC and didn't play in the SEC championship game. That enough should have kept them out. But the way the BCS is rigged, deserving teams like Oklahoma State didn't have a chance. And, yes, I did want to see Oklahoma State in the title game. I think the Cowboys would have beaten LSU, especially the conservative one that showed up Monday night at the Superdome. I don't think the Tigers would have been able to slow down Justin Blackmon, which would have given the Cowboys the edge. And I think the LSU offense was overrated, too. They couldn't score a single touchdown in two games and an overtime against Alabama. Rave about the ...