In 18 career games against Roethlisberger and the Steelers, Suggs has 18.5 sacks, with five in two playoff games. In just four games vs. Brady, Suggs has three sacks, and none in last year's AFC Championship Game, a 23-20 loss in Foxborough, Mass. That was before Suggs tore his Achilles in the off-season, and spent the first six weeks of the regular season on the shelf. Then Suggs tore his biceps Dec. 2 and missed two more games.
On top of that, the reigning defensive player of the year had a cache of guns removed from his home by police after his longtime girlfriend, Candace Williams, filed a protective order against him in November. She alleged in September that he punched her in the neck and dragged her beside his car. The order was dropped in December, and she and Suggs married days later.
Suggs called 2012 a "weird season" in his most recent media appearance, which came on the day teammate Ray Lewis announced he would retire at the conclusion of these playoffs. Lewis, Suggs and Ed Reed have been key factors in Baltimore's dominance on defense for the better part of a decade, but Lewis and Reed are nearing the end of their careers, the defense doesn't have the same pop, and even Suggs has lost a step, a teammate said.
"I remember, when he came in here, he was a freak. So fast. Faster than he is now," defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu said.
Kemoeatu said Suggs now makes up for it with refined technique and obsessive film study. In defensive meetings, only two players take more notes than Suggs, he said: Lewis and Reed.
"He's always been a master of his craft," said linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who joined the team in 2008. "But as far as being great, versus being one of the greatest. He was great when I got here, but now he understands his own mortality, so he's trying to be one of the greatest."
Ayanbadejo says the bulk of the maturing happened between the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when Suggs lost about 20 pounds and rededicated himself to the game after collecting only 4.5 sacks in 13 starts.
But the transformation didn't hurt his odd sense of humor. Teammates say he's constantly joking, especially on Wednesdays -- study-heavy days for the team -- and Saturdays before game days. He'll rant about cartoons or creep slowly behind a teammate during an interview, close enough to feel Suggs' breath on his neck.
"He's unique," linebacker Paul Kruger said. "He's somebody I've learned a lot from as far as being able to handle yourself in football. It can get so serious at times. You need a little bit of comic relief."
And Suggs knows how to drop a hint. As the only player in the locker room with a flat screen television in his locker, Suggs occasionally will show a movie after practice, with the volume on full blast. This week, Suggs played one of his favorites: Shawshank Redemption, the tale of a man wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover. Over decades, he tunnels his way to freedom. The message wasn't lost on Suggs' teammates.
"At first, I didn't think anything of it," Cody said. "Then I realized ... redemption."
PHOTOS: Memorable conference championship moments 
A play that needs no explanation. 1981 NFC Championship Game. Cowboys-49ers. Joe Montana to Dwight Clark. "The Catch". 49ers win 28-27. A dynasty was born, altering the course of NFL history.
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The 2006 AFC Championship Game was the game that Peyton Manning finally got the monkey off his back as the Colts came back to defeat the Patriots 38-34 in one of the greatest conference title games of all time.
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It was -15 degrees at Lambeau Field, the day the Packers defeated the Cowboys 21-17 in the 1967 NFL Championship Game. It's one of the most memorable games in NFL history, simply known as "The Ice Bowl".
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With the Broncos 98 yards away from the end zone, John Elway proceeded to lead his team on what has simply become known as "The Drive", tying the 1986 AFC Championship game with a touchdown pass to Mark Jackson with 37 seconds remaining. Then, in overtime, Denver went on to score the game-winning field goal, defeating the Browns 23-20.
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The 1995 AFC Championship Game came down to one of the most memorable Hail Mary plays in NFL history. Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh heaved one for the end zone, where it was almost caught by Aaron Bailey but ultimately fell incomplete, giving the Steelers a 20-16 win.
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How could this happen? Browns running back Earnest Byner was on his way to the game-tying touchdown of the 1987 AFC Championship Game until "The Fumble" happened. It was recovered by the Broncos in the final minute, and Denver held on for a 38-33 win.
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In an unexpected low-scoring affair, the only touchdown of the 1999 NFC Championship Game was this catch late in the fourth quarter by Ricky Proehl. From there, the Rams managed to hold on for an 11-6 win in the 1999 NFC Championship Game.
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The final pass for Brett Favre as a Packer at Lambeau Field was a costly interception in overtime. From there, the Giants' Lawrence Tynes hit a 47-yard game-winning field goal, giving New York an improbable 23-20 win in the frigid 2007 NFC Championship Game.
Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Vikings kicker Gary Anderson hadn't missed a field goal all season, until his 38-yarder sailed wide left in the final minutes of regulation. Then, in overtime, the Falcons' Morten Andersen nailed a 38-yarder for the game winner, giving the Falcons a dramatic 30-27 win in the 1998 NFC Championship Game. Atlanta Falcons kicker Morten Andersen (5) and holder Dan Stryzinski (4) celebrate as Andersen's 39-yard field goal splits the uprights to give Atlanta a 30-27 overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999, in Minneapolis. The win puts Atlanta in the Super Bowl for the first time. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) ORG XMIT: MP127
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Five Matt Bahr field goales, including the game-winner as time expired, denied the 49ers an opportunity to three-peat as the Giants won 15-13 in the 1990 NFC Championship Game.
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Already in regulation of the 2011 NFC Championship Game, Kyle Williams had inadvertently let the ball graze his leg on a punt, which was recovered by the Giants and led to a touchdown for New York. Lightning struck twice, however, as in overtime Williams fumbled another punt, recovered by the Giants, leading to the game-winning field goal. A terrible day for Williams and the 49ers.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Eric Bienmy had every reason to be thrilled after the Chargers' final defensive stand to hold on for a stunning 17-13 win over the Steelers on the road in the 1994 AFC Championship Game.
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First, Lee Evans couldn't hold on to the potential game-winning touchdown. And then this: Billy Cundiff couldn't send the game into overtime by missing a 32-yard field goal attempt, giving the Patriots a 23-20 win in the 2011 AFC Championship Game. Heartbreak all around for the Ravens. ORG XMIT: RD 41392 AFC Champ 1/22/2012 1/22/12 6:09:46 PM -- Foxboro, MA -- New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. -- Baltimore Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff (7) misses the game tying field goal to ensure the win for the Pats Photo by Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Staff [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
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In the 2009 NFC Championship Game, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre threw a costly interception in the closing seconds of regulation deep into Saints territory. Then, in overtime, Garrett Hartley hit this game-winning 40-yard field goal for a 31-28 win, sending New Orleans to its first Super Bowl in franchise history. NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Kicker Garrett Hartley http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#5 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with teammates David Thomas http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#85, Zach Strief http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#64 and Mark Brunell http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#11 after kicking a 40-yard game-winning field goal in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 95653900 GTY ID: 53900MH079_NFC_Champions
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
The 1992 NFC Championship Game was a changing of the guard of sorts as the Cowboys went into Candlestick Park and defeated the 49ers 30-20 to advance (and ultimately win) Super Bowl XXVII SAN FRANCISCO - JANUARY 17: Running back Emmitt Smith http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#22 of the Dallas Cowboys hustles for yards during the 1992 NFC Conference Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on January 17, 1993 in San Francisco, California. The Cowboys won 30-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
George Rose, Getty Images
