Week 1 NFL story lines: Steelers and Ravens, together again
The last two Super Bowl champions will open the season Thursday in a national-television showcase — a pregame party, fireworks and celebration for everyone spared from a locked-out season when the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints take the field.
Good times don’t fuel football players, coaches and fans, however. Heartache and defeat do.
The Pittsburgh Steelers feel the burn, after losing to the Packers in last season’s Super Bowl. And the Baltimore Ravens have been stewing even longer, since squandering a lead in an AFC divisional-round playoff game against the Steelers.
Enjoy the Thursday night smiles, then prepare for Sunday morning angst.
The Ravens, who’ll play host to their AFC North rivals, are 0-3 in the postseason against the Steelers in the last decade. Last season’s 31-24 playoff loss — a long Ben Roethlisberger pass in the final two minutes set up Rashard Mendenhall’s decisive touchdown run — was the latest to leave the Ravens muttering . . . and the Steelers gloating.
“It seems like they always have us beat and we always end up beating them,” Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week. “That’s what makes it so sweeter.”
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, in his fourth year, needs to prove he can handle the biggest tasks after a 16-for-30, 125-yard, one-interception game in the playoff eliminator. The Ravens added former Buffalo receiver Lee Evans last month to complement Anquan Boldin.
Roethlisberger took a subtle shot at his rivals this week, telling reporters, “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. We consider them one of the best.”
Other games to watch:
Indianapolis at Houston: Peyton Manning is doubtful because of neck/back problems — which probably means he’s out — as the Colts start their AFC South title defense on the road against the rival Texans, who are still in pursuit of their first postseason appearance. Houston beat Indianapolis in last season’s opener.
Divisional supremacy could come down to which body part heals faster: Manning’s neck or Arian Foster’s hamstring. Foster, who rushed for a league-best 1,616 yards last season, jogged on the sideline Monday as the Texans ran a walk-through practice. No word whether Foster will participate in the next practice Wednesday.
Atlanta at Chicago: These teams had the NFC’s top two regular-season records last season. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a full arsenal at his disposal, including first-round pick Julio Jones at wide receiver. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler could use a strong performance to quell some hometown derision over his debated second-half injury disappearance in last season’s NFC championship game.
Minnesota at San Diego: Like the Chargers to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl this season, but that tout goes right in the trash can if San Diego loses as a nine-point favorite in its home opener for the second time in four years.
Dallas at New York Jets: Jets Coach Rex Ryan will match wits against his brother, Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and father Buddy Ryan expects to attend after delaying cancer treatment.
Rex said “the significance” of coaching a New York team at home on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is daunting. “I feel more pressure on this game than any game I’ve ever coached,” Ryan told reporters Monday.
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