Okay! We are in the playoffs and in the running for the number one seed. I have actually not seen the game yet. But I have seen the stats. So, you know my thing is perspective. Let's see where we stand at the moment.

1. We can now officially begin to think in terms of 'SuperBowl'. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I know that we must take things one game at a time, blah, blah blah. But c'mon folks. It's Christmas, the economy's shot to shit and most people believed that if we made the playoffs at all it would be by the hairs of our chinny-chin-chins given our schedule and our various woes (O-Line, etc.). As Tom Jackson said on ESPN this morning; if we beat the Ravens and the Titans next week then the Steelers are the team to fear in the playoffs. Anybody betting on the Titans next week? Actually I don't care. Let's be clear. What this team has accomplished so far is pretty astonishing. The 'D' might be the greatest of all time and we have conquered one of the most formidable schedules ever. Disaster may be waiting in the wings in January, but in very uncertain times we can celebrate a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (and other holidays) with the knowledge that our team and the Steeler Nation are playoff bound and of a very special pedigree. And who knows when things will be this good again.

2. Mike Tomlin for Coach of the Year. As things unfold, this is looking more impressive than what anyone else is accomplishing this year. If we finish 13-3 and get number one seed (a real possibility now) given our schedule, injuries, liabilities and the fact that he is the youngest coach in the League and winning his second division title how could you not give him consideration. And for you Tomlin haters out there; go to Hell! And consider this on your journey. Any hope you may have had for an early firing are absolutely and completely gone. If they're smart, Art and Dan will extend him now. In February it might really cost them.  Even if the Pittsburgh front office completely lost their minds and fired him, he'll be a fixture on NFL sidelines for the forseeable future. As they say; sucks to be you.

3. Ben has earned his money. You have to take the good with the bad with Ben. He can be something of knucklehead at times. He holds the ball too long on occasion. He tries to force too many plays that backfire on him and the team. But at the end of the day he has that something that all the truly great ones have. Ben is a winner. And like his coach and his team he doesn't seem to get sufficient credit for what he has accomplished thus far in his career or his continuing efforts now. It will probably take at least another SB win for Ben to get his props. Let's hope it's this year.

4. Bonus!!! We have driven TO and the Cowgirls over the edge! I don't like losing to anyone, but if we had to lose I don't mind as much that we fell to Dungy's Colts, McNabb's Eagles and the Champion Giants. But we have successfully settled scores with the teams we truly hate. Ray-Ray, Suggs and the boys got swept. (work on those bounties). Ocho Cinco's chain gang and minstrial show also went down twice. We dropped the Pats, Jags, Browns, Chargers and (important given where I live) the Skins. But  look what we did to the Girls! I would have preferred a 30 point pasting, but (and I am writing just as their game w/ the Giants is beginning) they appear to be unraveling at the seams. And you can say one thing about TO, he's consistent.

5. LeBeau and his mauraders; a performance for the record books. We are perhaps witnessing, at least from a statistical perspective the greatest defensive performance of all time. And I witnessed the '76 Steelers so this is no small admission. We at BTSC should put our heads together and see what we can do in an organized and effective manner to advance the cause of getting this man into the Hall Of Fame.

6. Couldn't happen to a better group of guys. Think about the players who had to step up big to make this happen. I mentioned Ben earlier, and you can say that this is what you expect from first round draft picks. But what about undrafted free agents like James Harrison, Willie Parker and Nate Washington? Role players like Mewelde Moore, Darnell Stapleton, William Gay. Greybeards maintaining a high level such as Hines, Deshea and Farrior. Guys who had to step up such as Max Starks, Hartwig, BMac. This may not be a great collection of players, but they have become a great team. And this should be acknowledged now not later.

It would be a shame that we got so focused upon the goal that we lost sight of and gained no enjoyment from the journey. For the reasons mentioned and others that you will certainly point out over the coming hours this has been an extraordinary season and an extraordinary team. One that could stand among the best of the Super Bowl era if they make it to the championship game. Certainly one of the best in terms of heart and character. So take advantage of the next two, hopefully three weeks. It matters some but not much what happens with the next two games. The main thing is to avoid injuries to key players. Otherwise, enjoy the Holidays and your AFC North Champion Steelers. There will be plenty to worry about in January.