What To Look For – AFC Championship Game

RETURN ENGAGEMENT: For the 13th time since 1990 when the NFL went to the 12-team playoff format, teams that played at least once during the regular season will meet in the AFC Championship Game when the Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. If Pittsburgh defeats Baltimore, it will mark the ninth time in 13 opportunities that the team that won the regular-season meeting(s) won the AFC Championship.

AFC Championship Games that were rematches of regular-season meetings since 1990:

* Met twice during season. Teams split; ** Met twice during season. Tennessee and Pittsburgh won both games.

— AFC —

STEELERS TIE FOR MOST: This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will make their 14th AFC/AFL championship game appearance, tying the Oakland Raiders for the most in AFC/AFL history.

 

Teams with the most AFC/AFL championship game appearances:

 

* Includes Sunday’s game

Sunday’s game also marks the 11th time division rivals have squared off in the AFC Championship game, including the third involving the Steelers. Pittsburgh defeated the Houston Oliers in 1978 and 1979.

 

STIFF DEFENSES: When the Steelers’ No. 1 NFL defense (237.2 yards per game) and Ravens’ No. 2 defense (261.1) take the field Sunday, it will mark the second conference championship between top-two defenses since 1970, joining the 1978 NFC Championship Game (L.A. Rams, 243.3 and Dallas, 250.6).

 

Combined, the Pittsburgh-Baltimore defenses average 249.1 yards allowed per game, the fifth fewest average yards allowed per game by teams in conference/league championship games in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

 

A look at the fewest average yards allowed per game by opposing teams in conference championship games (Super Bowl era):

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YOUNG HEAD COACHES: Ravens rookie head coach JOHN HARBAUGH and Steelers second-year coach MIKE TOMLIN have led their teams for a combined 48 regular-season games — the second fewest such games by opposing coaches in a conference championship game in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

 

The fewest combined regular-season games by opposing coaches in a conference championship in the Super Bowl era:

 

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YOUTH IS SERVED: Last week, the Ravens’ JOE FLACCO became the first rookie quarterback in history to win two playoff games. With a win this Sunday, Flacco would become the third youngest quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl at 24 years and 16 days on Super Bowl Sunday.

Ages of the youngest quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl:

 

* On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1

BEN KNOWS HOW TO WIN: In his first five seasons as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, BEN ROETHLISBERGER is in select company.

 

With a win Sunday, he would surpass Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback TROY AIKMAN for the second most playoff wins (7) by a quarterback in the first five seasons of their career.

 

The most playoff wins by a quarterback in the first five seasons of a career:

 

BRINGING THE WOOD: Pittsburgh outside linebacker LA MARR WOODLEY has compiled four sacks in his first two career playoff games, with two each against Jacksonville in 2007 and San Diego this year.

 

This Sunday, Woodley aims to become the first player in history to record three consecutive multi-sack playoff games. He also seeks to challenge the record for most sacks in a player’s first three postseason games (RICHARD DENT, 6.5).

 

The players with the most sacks in their first three playoff games:

 

* In two games

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THE ROAD TESTED: This Sunday marks the 11th playoff game in Ravens history and the club’s sixth on the road. Baltimore holds a 5-1 playoff record away from home, which stands as the top road winning percentage (.833) in NFL playoff history (minimum five games).

 

The best road winning percentage in playoff history (minimum five games):

 

— AFC —

AFC TROPHY PRESENTATION: The LAMAR HUNT TROPHY will be presented to the AFC Championship Game winner after the game.

 

The late Hunt, the founder of the Kansas City Chiefs and American Football League, helped professional football attain its stature as America’s No. 1 sport. In the 10-year history of the AFL, his team posted the most wins (87) and earned berths in two of the first four Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl IV.

 

In 1972, Hunt became the first person from the AFL to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.