Last year's title game haunts Ryan, Pouha

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - There's no need for extra motivation anymore.

Rex Ryan couldn't even muster his usual outlandish statements on Monday, knowing that the Jets are one win from a Super Bowl berth.

But Sione Pouha has held onto one memory from last January, when the Jets' surprising run ended with a 30-17 loss to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game. One that's helping to motivate him.

"There's one vision that's clearly distinguishable in my mind, that's etched there - in my heart, my soul," Pouha said. "We were walking out [of Lucas Oil Stadium] and I felt blue and white confetti fall on our faces. I cannot tell you how horrific that was. It was like one of those labelers they put on cattle. Like, 'Ssssss,' just steamed right on us. You remember that feeling. It's as fresh as yesterday.

"You use those types of things."

There are other things, more related to football, that the Jets can use as they prepare for Sunday in Pittsburgh. They had the Colts down 17-6 and seemed ready to pull one of the bigger upsets in conference championship history before they let Peyton Manning off the mat just before halftime.

Twenty-four unanswered points later, the Jets' dream had fizzled.

"The only thing, really, is that this is a 60-minute game. That's what we need to remember," Dwight Lowery said. "We need to approach it like that. No matter what happens the first 15, 30 minutes, this is a 60-minute game. That's it."

Ryan hasn't made anything personal with any of the Steelers, other than his admiration for Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. But Ryan did echo Pouha when talking about the AFC Championship Game itself being personal.

"I've been there three years in a row and I don't know if I can handle not winning it," said Ryan, who lost to the Steelers as defensive coordinator of the Ravens in 2009. "I need to win this game."

The Jets defense had plenty of swagger after beating the Bengals and Chargers a year ago; this time around, that unit came into the postseason with less fanfare but has taken down Manning and Tom Brady with some restraint and creativity.

If it were observed last season that the Jets took advantage of two underachieving postseason teams, that's not the case this time. They can approach this game feeling confident that they have as good a shot as their hosts to reach the title game.

And the memory of walking off the field, dejected, a year ago.

"Everything's vague on how we went into the week last year. All I remember was the ending," Pouha said. "All I remember is that blue-and-white confetti falling. That's clear."