With just four teams left in the hunt for the NFL Super Bowl it might just be Pittsburgh that steals the show.
There are a few reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers standout among the last four teams remaining in the NFL Playoffs.
First, the Steelers are the only team left that isn’t named after a bird. The Arizona Cardinals, The Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens all sport feathery fowl on their uniforms.
Second, the Steelers have 6’ 5“ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leading the offense. Roethlisberger passed for 17 touchdowns this season and more importantly is one of the toughest players in the NFL, both mentally and physically.
In the last week of the NFL regular season “Big Ben” suffered a concussion that left him without feeling in both of his arms. Just two weeks after the injury he was back on the field leading the Steelers to a playoff win over the San Diego Chargers.
Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis says Roethlisberger’s determination and smarts make him one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
"He's the ultimate competitor," Lewis told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He plays football the way old-school people play football. Just make the play. It don't have to be pretty. He is going to go out and do anything to keep his team motivated and move the chains, and things like that. That's probably one of the greatest assets he has, is really keeping a play going."
Third, the Steelers are only three seasons removed from winning their last Super Bowl. Many of the same players, including Roethlisberger, wide receiver Hines Ward, and cornerback Troy Polamalu remain on this year’s squad.
Fourth, the AFC - the conference that the Steelers play in - has won eight of the last 11 Super Bowls.
And finally, the Steelers have already beaten the Ravens twice this year and they’re playing the AFC Championship game like it’s their last.
"To me this is the Super Bowl," Ward told the Canadian Press. "You don't want to have a bad taste in your mouth by losing and watching that team go to the Super Bowl."
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