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Who are you rooting against in next week's Cincy/Baltimore game?


I couldn't bring myself to write "Who are you rooting for?" since the notion of rooting for either of those teams is like rooting for tuberculosis over menengitis.  Still, it's an important division game and we should pay it some mind.  Since both franchises register an almost perfect 10 on the chart of things I truly despise in life (the Ratbirds being slightly less objectionable on the grounds that at least they play the game the way it should be played, unlike the Bengals who have long epitomized both futility and classlessness), the ultimate outcome here would of course be a tie.  Unfulfilling for both teams and ultimately beneficial to the Steelers in the standings.  That's not likely, though.  One of these teams is going to win. 

The Bengals are tied with the Steelers atop the division at 5-2.  Baltimore sits one back at 4-3.  A Bengals win puts Baltimore two back of Cincy, and working from the standpoint that we take care of business in Denver next Monday night, two back of us as well.  Wins by the Ratbirds and Steelers puts both teams a game behind us.  So which scenario do you like best?  Would you rather lead both teams by a game or be tied with Cincy with the Ravens two back? 

To help answer the question, let's look at the remaining schedules for each team:

 

BALT                         CINCY                      PITT

@Cincy                    Balt                         @ Denver

@Cleve                  @Pitt                        Cincy

Indy                         @Oak                      @KC

Pitt                          Cleve                       @Balt

@GB                      Detroit                     Oak

Detroit                    @Minn                     @Cleve

Chicago                @SD                        GB

@Pitt                      KC                            Balt

@Oak                    @NYJ                      @Miami

 

It's hard to project how each team will finish.  Injuries can obviously play a part (although, to paraphrase Coach Tomlin, injuries shouldn't matter to the Steelers because the expectation doesn't change).   The Ratbirds have three tough road games left (at Cincy, Green Bay and Pittsburgh) and two difficult games at home (Indy and Pitt, with a potential third in the Bears).  Cincy has to go to Pitt, Minnesota, San Diego and the Jets, plus a cross-country trip to Oakland which they should win but will be taxing nonetheless due to the travel.  All of those games will be tough for them.  However, other than Baltimore next weekend, their remaining home schedule is a breeze (Cleve, Detroit and KC).  The Steelers have to go to Denver and Baltimore, both of which will be tough, and then they host Cincy and Baltimore.    The rest of their schedule (@KC, Oak, @Cle, GB, @Miami) looks very managable.

Based on the schedules, I'd say the Steelers enjoy a slight advantage in that they have less tough road games and they get 2 of their 3 big divisional games against Cincy and Baltimore at home.  Cincy looks to have it the toughest.  Their road schedule will be a bitch.  That's why, as much as I hate to say it, I'm rooting for them to beat the Ratbirds.  Or rather, that's why I'm rooting against the Ratbirds.  I think Cincy's road schedule will keep them for staying with us down the stretch.  Inevitably, I believe the division will once again come down to us against Baltimore.  So if Cincy can push Baltimore two games behind us, I say please do.

Now let's do our part and take care of business up in the Rockies.  Go Steelers!

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Earthquake.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people. (mattyc_77 on twitter)

by BostonWahoo on Nov 2, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions  

Different logic

Not that I disagree with your logic CHISAP, but here’s another take.

Since we’ve already lost one game to meningitus, but still have two left to play against tuberculosis, and therefore greater control of our destiny against them (win both and we should be set), I’m going to have to root harder against the spinal disease, as opposed to the respiratory disorder.

by MelBlunt on Nov 2, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions  

control

As far as I understand the medical references, I agree with this post one hundred percent. I feel like the Steelers are more in control if Cincy loses, since it is their hands whether they beat the Ravens twice.

by buddytoledo on Nov 4, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Cincy

Baltimore is my least favorite football team. Plus I think Cincinnati got lucky against us, so I believe we will end up ahead of them and I’m not worried about them getting another W.

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by John Stephens on Nov 2, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions  

Toss out logic

Assume (bad word to use) Baltimore beats Cincy, and the STEELERS win out. Would that not be a joy to behold. I really believe Pittsburgh has what it takes to win out since they seem not to have peaked yet. I was wanting a Denver win over Baltimore, but alas it was not to be, and Pittsburgh will not have had the distintion of consecutive victories over undefeated tems and the Ravens are still lurking one game back.

Sea Bee

by Heckers on Nov 2, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions  

Baltimore

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 2, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions  

Which is to say...

… you’re rooting against Baltimore next weekend. I’m glad you can see it our way. :)

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people. (mattyc_77 on twitter)

by BostonWahoo on Nov 2, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Oops

Cleveland

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 2, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions  

We’ll be rooting against Cleveland, too. Who are they playing?

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people. (mattyc_77 on twitter)

by BostonWahoo on Nov 2, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Asteroid striking the earth

Or possible zombie outbreak in the stadium.

Or more realistically, all the starters of both teams suffering season ending injuries. Like I say, you hate to see players get hurt, unless their on the bungles or ratbirds. Then its just karma.

Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"

by svenhoek on Nov 2, 2009 12:30 PM EST reply actions  

As long as the Steelers keep winning, it won’t matter.

by pghnorthside on Nov 2, 2009 12:52 PM EST reply actions  

Denver, New England, Dallas and Baltincy(combo deal)

"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu

by WVPiratesfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

I'm rooting for the guys with the body bags and the gurneys....

…hope they have plenty of business.

Baltimore usually keeps them busy.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Nov 2, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions  

Baltimore

are the Purple Browns. do they wear a throwback like that lol

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 2, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions  

The titans wear the oilers throwbacks, comlete with the oil derrik on the helmet.

I think that is cool!

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 4, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions  

i agree

oilers got screwd

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 4, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Rooting for Cincy (Ugh)

because they are no threat, Baltimore is. As I see it, we will finish 7-2, as will Baltimore. Cincy will finish 4-5.

by SteelerStuckintheSouth on Nov 2, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions  

Im rooting against Baltimore. Those Dirty Purple Bastards might have a hard schedule, but I want them to fall out of this race. I would rather have a two team race (Us and Cinci) than a three team. I dont want to compete for the Division and the Wild Card within the North. If Baltimore loses and then faces hard teams and starts to fall, it will come down to Cinci and Pittsburgh. That to me seems better than any other situation.

Plus, FU$K Baltimore!

by Michael Uhlhorn on Nov 2, 2009 5:13 PM EST reply actions  

I like the tie idea

no need to root for zombies or asteroids, just root for a tie. That would be so great. Take that win that one of these two teams should have in the AFCN and just throw it in the trash. And it would be funny!

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Nov 2, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions  

Oh tie sounds really good!

I never like the “pick your poison” thing. I would like to see Ocho-hemmorhoid smacked around though.

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Nov 2, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm pulling for Balitmore

A Ratbird win puts us in first place in the division, and in the driver’s seat from here on out.

breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.

by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 2, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions  

Baltimore for sure

Gotta even the field for us as much as possible. The bengals need a good ass beating. I’d like to see them get beat, and depressed, and watch the ravens get cocky when they come to play us.

by Mechem on Nov 2, 2009 7:52 PM EST reply actions  

yep

I already agreed above, but I like this rationale too. Nothing’s better than beating a cocky Ravens team.

by buddytoledo on Nov 4, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions  

I've had it with the Bengals.

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Nov 2, 2009 10:41 PM EST reply actions  

I dont know who cliff harris is

But if i c him ill punch him in his fxckin eye

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 3, 2009 2:45 AM EST reply actions  

Thanks Steelchamps...

Cliff Harris was the Dallas safety who heckled Roy Gerela in Super Bowl X after he missed a field goal and was immediately tossed to the ground by an angry and menacing Jack Lambert. I was 8 years old and really into superheroes at the time so it was a great “good vs. evil” moment. It turned me into a Lambert and Steeler fan for life. So go ahead and sucker him if you ever get the chance. He still deserves it.

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Nov 3, 2009 7:45 AM EST reply actions  

"I want no part of Baltimore in the playoffs."

Not to sound overconfident, but don’t you think their secondary and receivers will be beat up by then? That defense has been creakin’ lately.

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Nov 3, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions  

The secondary is turrible enough when fully healthy

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Nov 4, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions  

Sure is

Ratbirds win but lose Flaco for the rest of the year, end of Ratbirds and division is ours. Or conversely Cincy win but lose Palmer….

Cheers, -Dave The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. --Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

by strivan21 on Nov 5, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions  

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