Home-field hoo-hah? Steelers might want to stay away
Yeah, I know, misery loves company and all that. Except here, there are only two AFC teams that, over the past 14 seasons, blew the home-field advantage more than once: One was Pittsburgh (three times); the other was Kansas City (twice).
The Steelers did make it to the Super Bowl in 2005, but they got there by a circuitous route. First, it was a playoff game in Cincinnati. Then, a playoff game in Indianapolis. Finally, they took their act to Denver and won the conference championship game there.
Then they went to Detroit and walked off with Super Bowl XL.
I think you get the idea. When the Steelers are home ... for whatever reason ... they have trouble closing a deal. But when they went on the road in January 2006, they were downright dominant, conquering their three playoff opponents by a combined score of 86-52.
Wide receiver Hines Ward was on that team, and when asked Sunday about the importance of gaining the home-field advantage, he parsed his words carefully -- a sign that he understands there are no guarantees, especially when you're in Pittsburgh.
"We have another big game," he said of this weekend's trip to Tennessee. "We would love to have that No. 1 spot and try to get the easiest path there (to the Super Bowl). But in the AFC I don't think there is any easy way."
He has that right.
Now, I know what you're thinking: So what's the message for the Steelers against Tennessee? Just lose, baby? Of course not. Maybe this year's Steelers can do what others have not and beat the odds at home.
All I'm saying is that if they lose Sunday's game, all is not lost. And maybe, just maybe, that was what Roethlisberger was telling his teammates. The pressure is gone because while you want home-field advantage, maybe you really don't.
Not in Pittsburgh.
"It's not like we have to win," Roethlisberger said. "I mean, we want to win, but we don't have to. I think we can go and play more relaxed and have fun, and I think it will be another great game."
Now that's more like it.
