Ironhead Josh doesn't Care Where the Game is Played
Like you, maybe I have friends who are fans of other teams in the National Football League. Most of my co-workers (who I don't want knowing about this blog) are Patriots fans, several of my friends are Jets fans, the Eagles, Bears, Giants, Cowboys, Packers and Redskins are also represented in my circle of friends.
Meet Ironhead Josh. Josh is a huuuuge Steelers fan (when the Packers and Redskins are eliminated). I will be watching Sunday's AFC Championship Game with him and a couple Steelers fans he is bringing in Royersford, Pennsylvania (outside of Philadelphia, not Pittsburgh, thank God). He has decided to take me on and give his take on the matchup and why Pittsburgh will win.
His first plan of argument is to refute the myth of home-field advantage in the playoffs, namely the AFC Championship Game. He writes...
As the week rolls on, NFL analysts will continue to point out Invesco Field as a major factor in making Denver the favorite. After ending New England's dynasty, Denver advanced to be the favorite in the AFC. Ironically, it was Pittsburgh's complete dismantling of Indianapolis that propelled Denver into the top spot. Unfortunately for Denver, home teams are 7-9 in Conference round since 1997.
Denver was 8-0 in the regular season at Invesco, but with a 21-19 victory over Washington in which a safety wasn't called on Plummer and a 12-10 victory over Baltimore in December, as well as victories over struggling New England, Philadelphia, and Kansas City all prior to Halloween; that 8-0 record isn't as impressive as it first seems.
But as strong as Denver was at home, Pittsburgh has proved to be equally strong on the road. With victories at San Diego, two at Cincinnati, ending Minnesota's six-game win streak with an 18-3 victory in the Metrodome, and last week's victory at Indianapolis, Pittsburgh has shown the ability to handle crowd noise and post victories in a hostile environment.
As important as home field advantage is, the easiest way to overcome the "12th man" is to jump out to an early lead. Pittsburgh showed this by posting 14 unanswered points to open the game in Indy. Also, if the visiting team gets down, they have to show the resolve to come back and not quit as Pittsburgh did against Cincinnati in the opening round and at San Diego earlier in the season.
So as home field is continually used as an advantage for the Broncos throughout this week, just ask Philadelphia, Green Bay, and even Pittsburgh for how hard it is to defend the home turf.
Meet Ironhead Josh. Josh is a huuuuge Steelers fan (when the Packers and Redskins are eliminated). I will be watching Sunday's AFC Championship Game with him and a couple Steelers fans he is bringing in Royersford, Pennsylvania (outside of Philadelphia, not Pittsburgh, thank God). He has decided to take me on and give his take on the matchup and why Pittsburgh will win.
His first plan of argument is to refute the myth of home-field advantage in the playoffs, namely the AFC Championship Game. He writes...
As the week rolls on, NFL analysts will continue to point out Invesco Field as a major factor in making Denver the favorite. After ending New England's dynasty, Denver advanced to be the favorite in the AFC. Ironically, it was Pittsburgh's complete dismantling of Indianapolis that propelled Denver into the top spot. Unfortunately for Denver, home teams are 7-9 in Conference round since 1997.
Denver was 8-0 in the regular season at Invesco, but with a 21-19 victory over Washington in which a safety wasn't called on Plummer and a 12-10 victory over Baltimore in December, as well as victories over struggling New England, Philadelphia, and Kansas City all prior to Halloween; that 8-0 record isn't as impressive as it first seems.
But as strong as Denver was at home, Pittsburgh has proved to be equally strong on the road. With victories at San Diego, two at Cincinnati, ending Minnesota's six-game win streak with an 18-3 victory in the Metrodome, and last week's victory at Indianapolis, Pittsburgh has shown the ability to handle crowd noise and post victories in a hostile environment.
As important as home field advantage is, the easiest way to overcome the "12th man" is to jump out to an early lead. Pittsburgh showed this by posting 14 unanswered points to open the game in Indy. Also, if the visiting team gets down, they have to show the resolve to come back and not quit as Pittsburgh did against Cincinnati in the opening round and at San Diego earlier in the season.
So as home field is continually used as an advantage for the Broncos throughout this week, just ask Philadelphia, Green Bay, and even Pittsburgh for how hard it is to defend the home turf.
posted by Derek at 10:04 AM
2 Comments:
I agree with Josh. Homefield advantage is very overrated. But I think it becomes more important in the playoffs because the home team earned that spot, they are usually also the better team.
Home field is worth about 3 points before weighing the matchup.
One thing I'd like to add is that Pittsburgh is coming off a 15-1 season, so I anticipate that they are coming in as a #6 seed that believes they can beat anyone, anywhere regardless of their regular season record..
Post a Comment
<< Home