NEWS AND NOTES \ Steelers vs. Broncos

Weather: Sunday's game-time temperature was 39 degrees (wind chill of 26). That's about 40 degrees warmer than last year's AFC Championship Game when the game-time temperature was around zero and chunks of ice flowed in the Ohio River past Heinz Field.Pompoms vs. towels: Terrible Towels were present, but not overwhelming. They were far outnumbered by the orange pompoms waved by hometown fans.Overturned: Steelers coach Bill Cowher successfully challenged Willie Parker's first-quarter fumble. Replay backed Cowher's challenge and led to the Steelers' first score, a Jeff Reed field goal.Dominant at home: The Broncos had never lost an AFC Championship Game in Denver before Sunday. Their record in AFC Championship Games is now 6-2. Their Super Bowl record is 2-4.Injuries: Steelers linebacker Andre Frazier injured his ankle on the final play kickoff of first half and did not play in the second half.Super Bowls: The Steelers are making their sixth Super Bowl appearance, tying the Broncos for the AFC's best. Cowher has an 0-1 record in the Super Bowl, losing to the Cowboys (27-17) 10 years ago.Attendance: The crowd at Invesco Field at Mile High was 76, 174. It was the fifth-largest crowd at the five-year-old complex. Amazingly, 601 other tickets were distributed, but not used.Spreading credit: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was impressed with Denver's defensive schemes. "They brought a lot of things at us and our offensive line did a wonderful job picking them up, Our receivers got open, which made my job easier. All I have to do is deliver the ball."Change of scenery: Linebacker Clark Haggans noted a tremendous difference in the locker room from last year's 41-27 loss at Heinz Field to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. "It was freezing cold, now it's scalding hot from a year ago to now. The lights are on and there's noise and stuff. Last year, it seemed like all the power went out and you could hear a pin drop in here."
Tom Williams