Postgame Thoughts / Pregame Thoughts

Every season good teams win games they're not supposed to win. That's what makes them good. That's why the Colts and the Giants each have a W next to their game against Pittsburgh. That's why Pittsburgh has a W next to its game against Dallas.

This game was one that on paper was evenly matched, and I think many people (myself included) simply guessed that whoever scored last would walk out victorious.

Both defenses were incredible. Both offenses showed up occasionally. I can think of numerous Steelers games this season that are like going to a Neil Young concert: he's gonna kill you with boring, new songs that continue to fall flat, but soon enough he'll break out some tracks from Harvest and you suddenly remember why you paid the ticket price. Many first half performances are just substandard nailbiters ... close, but not that edge-of-the-couch kinda close. More of a ‘why can't you just score?' kinda close. It's in the ability to finish, to close the game out in the 3rd & 4th, that we see the greatest hits ... we see the promise that we know is there and that we've been expecting since the very first mini-camps and OTAs.

The double-standard of fandom is thus enacted: Romo, a very talented QB, is stifled by the dominant Pittsburgh defense. We credit the D with the W. Roethlisberger, a very talented QB, is stifled by the dominant Dallas D. We complain and insist that the O has not yet found its identity. There are repetitions and variations within each game plan, and the process as a whole is just that: a process. It's a living, moving being until the final whistle, and all we can do is hope for improvement on every snap, every play, every quarter, every game, every week, and every season. We can hope that as the banged up offense continues to practice and continues to get healthy that each week will offer us an improvement of that process, and an improvement of the cohesion/unity necessary to win the way Pittsburgh wins.

To Baltimore to face the stiffest challenge yet. Stiffest in terms of what's at stake. Stiffest in terms of, clearly, the biggest division rival who all of a sudden is playing great ball, and knows the Steelers as well as the Steelers know them. The only difference between their records is from Pgh's win over them early in the season, early as in before the Ravens caught fire and rallied. I'll grant the shit-talkers this: the quality of opponents the Ravens have beaten is not in the same echelon as those left beaten by Pittsburgh. That of course means very, very little. Ray Lewis is a professional wrestler back there ... and though I laugh every time I see him, his defense is doing exactly what Pittsburgh's defense is doing: undoing the opposing offense and keeping their offense in the game.

My early, off-the-top-of-my-head assessment of keys to victory is quite simple: Pittsburgh's linebackers need to remind Joe Flacco that he's a rookie. A great rookie ... right there with Matt Ryan as far as Rookie of the Year awards go, but a rookie nonetheless. Unravel him and make him hear footsteps every time he's under center. Of course Ben's been susceptible to the same type of pressure, and so there's going to be a need for a solid running game, and a mistake-free passing game. Ben seems to be feeling a bit better, and so I agree with others on here who have called for some scripted roll-outs and bootlegs. 2 or 3, just enough to remind Ben of who he is and where his strengths lie. If he has success early with the occasional improvisational passing route, it'll make him much, much tougher to deal with if and when the game's on the line.

Back to the Dallas game to get two items off of my chest: 1) Hines Ward, 1 reception for 2 yards. What the hell? Do I even need to explain why that pisses me off? I think that clearly explains why Pittsburgh trailed until the end of the game. 2) on that TD to Owens. First of all, it was great improv from Romo ... fantastic scrambling, and TO stayed alive along the back of the end zone. They both did great work to get that one. My only question is why Harrison initially dropped back into pass coverage. Not on a goal line, not when you've held them without touchdowns, and not when your strength is making big sacks in moments like that. Not to question General LeBeau's call or anything, but that just seems to be the time and place 92 earns his paycheck.

And back to next week. Between now and then expect the media to continue Pittsburgh's ascent up the Power Rankings. This ain't college dude / those rankings mean nothing. We watched a tough game, and the team we love walked away with the W ... we'll all spend some free time watching highlights, reading write-ups, thinking happy Steeler thoughts, agreeing with pundits we normally despise ... but it's time to be wary of every opponent and of every week. Especially when it's a divisional opponent with a real chance at a postseason spot and a real desire for revenge pumping through its little purple heart. A win this week is not required for another divisional crown; that trailhead can be reached via the scenic route as well.

In any case, as said they've gotta run that ball. And they've gotta make Flacco flaccid.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Ravens 10.