Just Another Game...Not!

I'm late to the party so my emphasis in this post is perspective. There is much truth in the notion that every game is important, that this game is no more important than the last one (Bengals) or the next one (Cowboys). The reality is that some games simply carry more weight than others because of circumstances that extend beyond the dynamics of one season.

So lets get real. How many of us marked this game down as a loss on our schedules? Or even as a toss up after players such as Brady and Harrison went down? The reality is that these are the Pats, Steeler Kryptonite for most of the decade. No matter how well the team played to this point of the season many in the Nation were not going to completely give their hearts to this edition of the team until they saw how they measured up against NE. Now with this unexpected and unexpectedly impressive win folks are openly talking playoffs and even Super Bowl without feeling that they haven't just walked under a ladder or crossed paths with a black cat. The fear, largely unspoken was that the Pats were just better on some deep institutional level. Props should be given to Joey Porter who during the course of an ESPN interview a week ago brought up the politically incorrect issue of the Pats cheating, and his breaking the ranks from other members of the Steeler family who refused to acknowledge any negative impact resulting from said cheating. Also props to a minority of folks (myself included) who predicted months ago that the Pats window of opportunity would close this year (not accomplished yet, I know, but close). Some will say that this is all a matter of Brady being injured. Well, Brady doesn't play defense.

'Now wait just one minute', I hear many of you saying. 'We are not out of the woods yet'. Quite right. We won't be out of the woods this year until the last dog dies. Indeed, it is still plausible that we might not make the playoffs at all. But, speaking frankly, yes our schedule is unforgiving, but of the final four regular season opponents is there anyone whom you are frightened of playing? I mean just plain scared. The Cowboys?  Are you kidding? They certainly are capable of beating us if we underperform, but I would be annoyed and angry with the Steelers for letting those punks beat them at Heinz with so much at stake. The Titans are tough and respectable. The Browns? No, just one team scares me of our remaining opponents, the Ravens. Even if we blow them out, Ray-Ray and company could do enough physical damage to this squad that we are unable to make it through the playoffs. IMO three teams scare Steelers fans. the Pats, the Jags and the Ravens. What we must be concerned about is a loss of focus in this last month. Unlikely given the championship pedigree, but still a concern.

Specific points to celebrate and feel encouraged about.

1. No injuries. Unless I missed something this is the first week this year where we didn't record a new injury or a setback. If we can put the injury bug behind us then our prospects look absolutely great.

2. BA called a good game. Nice balanced play calling. Even better, the use of personnel, particularly, the running backs was excellent. The no huddle was used to good effect. We don't need much more in the way of offense in order to succeed.

3. As Maryrose pointed out so concisely, The play of the Offensive Line was better than adequate. Perhaps Ben and the boys need to go to Chicago more often.

4. The defense is really THAT good. They are at least as good as the Lloyd, Greene, Woodson, Lake, outfits in the 90's. I would only consider the '76 group as better. Troy and Deebo are having All Pro caliber seasons. Everyone it seems is having an extraordinary year. There seems no sign of let up or vulnerability. Hell, with the likes of Woodley, Timmons, Gay, BMac, etc. it's fair to say that this unit hasn't really peaked yet.

5.I don't get heartburn anymore when STs takes the field. And we are actually starting to get some quality kickoff and punt returns.

6.Consider the Steelers 'discovered'. If you haven't noticed the Steelers are now the 'hot' team among the sports punditry and experts. That should only increase if they manage to expose the dinged Cowboys as the pretenders that they are.

7.Reality? Win the next two games and a playoff spot is assured. Win three of four and they earn a much needed bye as well as early home field advantage. With the best defense in the League, great offensive talent, a steady coaching staff and organizational support, It is not inappropriate to start nurturing Super Bowl fantasies. Beat the Girls and drive a stake into the hearts of the Ravens and we can start planning for the playoffs.

Thoughts?