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1st Place Is The Prize - Pittsburgh Steelers vs.Tennesee Titans Open Thread

Mbean_tiny by Blitzburgh on Comment 638 comments

Looks  like the AFC showdown between #1 seed Tenneseee and #2 seed Pittsburgh will remain in its 1 pm EST (10 am PST) slot Sunday. Here's your TV Distribution Map - if you're in the state of Ohio, I'm sorry. You ain't escaping Cleveland - Cincy. And that's a really, really bad thing. There's actually quite a bit of competition around the country in this time slot, so it looks like there will be plenty of us not able to watch this one at home. Sooo, if you're looking for a stream of the game, try here. Post other options in the comments thread as well if the above link isn't the answer.

Ok, to the game.

I've strayed away from my tendancy to make bold predictions this past month. A few weeks ago before we were set to square off against the pretender Dallas Cowboys, I wrote I thought we were the team to beat in the AFC. I admitted it was a bold statement considering our fairly pedestrian outings against San Diego and Cincinnati. Sure, the win at New England was nice, but I don't think too many people really consider New England as legitimate contenders this year in this conference.  Nevertheless, I saw something though in those three games that convinced me that we were going to be able to overcome some of our deficiencies to be extremely competitive.The resiliency shown against Dallas was admirable; and we saw tonight that our victory at Baltimore was pretty damn impressive - they physically dominated the Dallas Cowboys in Texas Stadium.

So, here we are 11-3 and I'm ready to make one more prediction for this particular team: we're going to win this football game in Nashville and we're going to look pretty damn good doing it. I want to use the word 'explosion' when referring to our offense, but I think I know better. Still, I think we're going to see an offense that plays much closer to a complete 60 minutes of football on Sunday than we have in recent contests. We've had a couple of really impressive drives in most of our games this year, but I know all of us are still waiting to have the kind of game we had against the Houston Texans, where we were efficient both on the ground and through the air. The problem, of course, was that game was Week 1 of the 2008 season.

If there ever were a time to have a breakout game of sorts, this would be it. The stakes are enormous - 1st place in the AFC to the victor.

Go Steelers!

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I agree!

I say we get a win in big fashion today! My prediction: 24-13. Our Steel City Stranglers will completely shut down that Tennessee offense and we will exploit that void created thanks to Haynseworth’s absence!

Lets go Steelers!!! #1 Seed Babeh!!!

by steelersfan86 on Dec 21, 2008 11:57 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

An offensive "explosion" ...

that builds a 17+ lead by itself [not as a result of our defensive prowess or a Titans downfall] would be a definite plus for the Steelers and the games to come. The offense must create an environment where the defense can cruise relaxingly into the playoffs.

by tenthmtnman on Dec 21, 2008 12:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

stuck in ohio

off to the bar….

here we go steelers!

by schnifin on Dec 21, 2008 12:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kerry Collins on his back or at least scared for his life...

Old Man Collins has the worst completion % when teams blitz…Good Luck!

Coupled with the fact that this is a historically GREAT defense, I really can’t see this game being close, but that is all that the Steelers seem to play.

24-10, Steelers smack down the Titans in Nashville.

Good day for Parker, Moore, and Russell.

by ZnJersey on Dec 21, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

game

i know someone always is able to get me a live feed link. In Cleveland and yet again no game on TV… BAHHHH!!

Help!!

by lostinbrownscountry on Dec 21, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NY area is lame

I’m stuck having to watch cardinals vs pats!!$@%# TERRIBLE!!!

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hopefully the stream I have doesn’t blow up!

Let’s go Steelers!!!

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 12:54 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Come on D!!

Stuff the run. Pick off Collins on 3rd down.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 12:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kerry goes down

I wonder if VY is ready….

Let's Go!

by jacksteel on Dec 21, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not gonna fly Collins

we look ready for these garbage short routes.

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

punter

did they hire Ernster or what?

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

windy that direction

Look 4 mitch to be even worse that way.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

did you see koch for the ravens last night?
guy was booting 60 yard punts. even had a nice faked field goal run for a first down.

by neverender on Dec 21, 2008 1:12 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Missed much of game due to work

but he didnt look too bad against us, either. Next year we will get robo punter back.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:14 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is there anything worse than being stuck in Ohio

When the Browns-Bengals game is what you have to watch when the Stillers are playing?

by StinkBomb on Dec 21, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

trading punts

actually working out for us for a change. lol.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hope so

offense has to cash in

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:15 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe

Put we sorta squandered a nice opportunity there.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 1:16 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh no

Deebo down on the field !

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not good!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wish they hadnt cut away. He was just getting up.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:18 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Uh oh.

Harrisons gonna be ok….be ok…be ok……be ok!!!!

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If harrison goes out...

…can the put Timmons in there?

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wish i could seen for myself him walking to bench. oh well.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another opportunity

Good position. Don’t waste it Ben.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

That’s what I’m talking about.qw

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

im wondering

if we dont move woodley over though

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

whoa!

Willie makes something out of what looked like nothing. And Chris Hope makes the stop on FWP a second time already this game.

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lets see that all day willie

by neverender on Dec 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

FWP!

Let’s get that TD!

by Tizoc on Dec 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Damn

Stapleton is getting blown up every play.

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yuck

that looked really bad

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Son of a!!!!!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I really

dont like the way this game is starting. I just hope it we pull it out in the end again

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:26 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hes in there.

Don’t think they would risk it if he wasn’t close.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:27 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did I hear

that they took him right out though?

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:28 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

timmons in for harrison...

…gonna need that bye week and next week off for him too i would hope

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:29 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Timmons

hit Collins again and again

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

SH*t

Harrison done for day. Not good.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

live to fight another day

next week, or at most three weeks from now

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Still hating on Phil.

he is an unabashed Steeler Hater.

by StinkBomb on Dec 21, 2008 1:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

like I said….steelers gonna have time to rest next week, the week after that too.

So, as long as any injuries are minor, this wont hurt in the long term.

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:32 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

whew

don’t play me like that, Ben!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hope we don't pay

for failing to cash in on those first two drives, when we had great field position

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Timmons

hit Kerry Collins again and again

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Me Too!!

What a horrid add campaign. Here, try our fatty, hormone injected food and forget about your locally grown, well prepared, nutritous food.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in Chicago?

I’ll be there 25th-30th. Good place to watch the Browns game? (Used to live in Chicago 1995-1999.)

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:47 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joes is a Great place to watch the game

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:53 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

http://www.joesbar.com/pages.php?page=steelers

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:54 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Timmons

He’s the #1 back up for all LB positions. Not bad.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no no no

Ben Ben Ben — take care of the ball

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BB ugh.

Hold onto the ball please.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ben looks rediculous just standing there

And our line looks equally as bad. I see no holes opening at all.

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WTF

Titans looking good

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Son of a BITCH!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 1:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great

Do you want to give them anymore points Ben?

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ben says

sure, but just wait until the fourth quarter

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:51 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I cant handle

Another 4th qtr nail-biter, so we had better start pouring it on and soon!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

they were getting pressure with timmons. get his ass in there!

and more PA pass and more drop offs to MM

PLEASE

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Parkers been in there

Hopefully MM will rotate in soon.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:53 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

they have both in at same time.

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:54 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

first TD in a long time.

Teams to score TDs in this game.

It’s ok….just no more.

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Deshea Townsend

was out there all by himself on that TD. Why is he in there when we have Bmac and Gay playing so well?

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 1:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well

We are sticking with the run this week. not working, but we are sticking to it.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 1:55 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heath!

But Ben, you almost gave me a heart attack back there.

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 1:57 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here we go.

See, dont get so down so early! :)

by Ragnar808 on Dec 21, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes. BB

Way not to get your head knocked off, too!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow

good scramble by Ben that time. But almost another heart attack.

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gorgeous!!!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 2:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Beat nick harper on the TD

Nce. Thts who BB tackled in the Indy playoff game after the Bus fumbled.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Johnson = fast

and he’s getting good blocking

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 2:10 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

big 3rd down here

Keep them out of field goal range. Please, D, clamp down even though it’s towards the end of the half.

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 2:11 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thought that running play was doomed. Nice run.

by StinkBomb on Dec 21, 2008 2:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heath!

good job getting that extra yard

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 2:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heath

The one bright spot.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 2:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is it just me

or does our offense look better when out of a hurry up shotgun.

by SteelerDomination on Dec 21, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MM

and out of bounds!!!!!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MOOOOOORRREEEE!!!!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 21, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OH!

Moore! Awesome! Away from two tacklers, gets the first, gets out of bounds!

by Alba on Dec 21, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

holmes recovering a fumble?

thats a little bit of a role reversal

by shleeve on Dec 21, 2008 2:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Skippy

you had your two misses for the year quota already filled!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, looking on the bright side

at least our O put together a good drive

by shleeve on Dec 21, 2008 2:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's like alot of first halves this year...

We are either lucky to be only down by 3 are the other tem is lucky to be down by 3. We’ll get it done in 2nd half. We own the 2nd half!

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:25 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The flags on the goal posts weren't moving that much and it was a 33 yarder.

Let’s also not forget that a lot of his makes have been too close for comfort, like the one he bounced in off the right upright against Dallas.

And none of his 3 misses have been from over 50. IIRC, both were from under 45 – normally automatic for him.

by houksyndrome on Dec 21, 2008 2:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We keep beating ourselves

Not a sign of a well prepared offence.

by jglo on Dec 21, 2008 2:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, but...

At least BB isn’t forcing the ball into traffic. Fumbles can be worse, but those aren’t typical issues for Ben. If he was throwing INTs, I’d be afraid of us going back to our early season woes.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 2:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

considering we have 2 turnover and them none

We are right in this game. We just a need one or two TOs in 2nd half and protect the ball on offense.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Spike

Two games in a row. Bad, bad play. Wasted down. The time they take to get up to the line get settled and then the waste is bad football. They should have a “spike play” already in the plan where they make a sideline pass whenever they feel the urge to waste a play. They should have a spike play already in mind. When Ben does thay motion with his arm, that should mean a quick designed pass and not a waste. You never know. You do know what a spike doesn’t do.

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Dec 21, 2008 2:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe he spiked the ball

To prevent a review on the holmes fumble. It appeared that maybe it wasnt a catch.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Same difference

I’m fine with the hurry-up snap. Instead of drilling it into the ground, they should all know that it will be a quick fly, or post or out pattern. Give yourself a chance. It might have meant three points there.

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Dec 21, 2008 2:48 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hey~~

not a bad punt! :-)

by BoiseSteeler on Dec 21, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Been wasting field position all day.

It would appear that Big Ben only wants to score if he can drive the ball the length of the field.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True

But only if we can establish several of those drives. (I hope we do.) One here and there is going to give them too much time in between.

by Varmint on Dec 21, 2008 2:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

delayed handoff

effective play call against us

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

cant blame him

sometimes u have to go -4 to take it to the house. worth the gambe.

by Jonny B. on Dec 21, 2008 2:47 PM EST