Buddha’s Game Balls – brought to you by Dan Bern’s Tiger Woods

Buddha’s Game Balls – brought to you by Dan Bern’s Tiger Woods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CXOnJsM4o

Offensive Play of the game:  It’s the third Quarter.  All of us BTSC have spent half time gloating about how the Steelers simply dominate the third quarter.  (This was shortly after saying that Reed never misses and Heath never fumbles).  Instead of domination we watch the Steelers play on of their worst quarter of the season.  Everything goes wrong.  Our D gives up big plays – even in the run game. Our O goes in reverse. 

With three minutes left the Cowboys open a lead of 10.  We get the kickoff and return to the 26.  A bad sack on first down and incomplete pass make it 3 and 16 on the Steelers 20. 

With Mitch Berger punting we know that not getting a first down probably gives Dallas the ball back at midfield.  Ben drops back facing enormous pressure and slings the ball over yards in the air.  It drops right into the waiting arms of Santonio Holmes. 

What makes it all the more impressive is that Ben is throwing into a stiff head wind that has made both QBs look foolish most of the night.  Although we don’t end up scoring on that drive, it is the turning point of the game.  Our D stays on the sideline and rests up for a dominant 4th quarter.  We reverse the field position battle.  The offense finally finds its rhythm

Massive props to Ben for making that massive throw.

Defensive play of the game:  In a game with 4 turnovers forced by the D and a number of enormous tackles by both James Harrison and Troy Polamulu, it was an opportunistic pick by Deshea Townshend that sealed the deal. It wasn’t so much the interception – which was really a gift, but the heads up return. If he stops short of the goal – there are no guarantees considering the wind and Reed’s rough day that we come up with points.   

Defensive player of the game:  This is a toss up between Troy and Deebo.  How can you decide?  Each forced a turnover. Troy had 9 tackles. Harrison had 8. Each made several HUGE plays behind the line of scrimmage. 

Offensive player of the game: Ben. Hear me out. Yes he played a bad game most of the game. Yes he took some really bad sacks. But playing in terrible weather – against a pretty good defense and facing constant pressure – Ben threw for 200 plus yards a touchdown and no interceptions.

In comparison, Romo was picked three times.   Ben made countless big plays down the line – a huge run on 3-10 on the tying drive. A huge throw to Holmes while eluding four tacklers to keep a drive alive. And of course the 47 yard bomb to Santonio into a strong wind. He was the difference maker.

Top Mental Breakdown by the Cowboys:   In the first half TO took a play off for his birthday helping Troy pad his Interception total,  but it was Jason Witten or Romo who ended up as the real goat.  Not exactly sure what happened on the Deshea pick. Witten took credit for the mistake. But it was clearly a big one.   

Troll of the game: Quinnccccyyyy. I don’t know who he is, but after a week of talking incessant trash on our board he stopped by to gloat during the game – when things look good that is.

As the game played he disappeared like Cowboy with a stubbed toe.  I don’t know much about Cowboys fans – and I certainly won’t judge them by that guy.  But I do know I dislike the franchise.  TO and Pacman. These guys deserve to lose.

Quote of the post game: “Man what a beautiful game – you don’t play for style points – we displayed metal” Mike Tomlin

Quote of the game “We gonna hurt yo ass Pac man” picked up on the broadcast mike from the Steelers sideline as Pacman got absolutely crushed returning punts in the second.