Despite that horrible loss to the Patriots last night, the Steelers are still on track for a first round bye and at least 1 home playoff game.

The Patriots beat us. Yes I know. However, the two 7 and 2 teams in the AFC are in the East. We all know that a division can only earn one first round bye. That means that either the Jets or Patriots will have to play a road wild card game to start the playoffs. This leaves the Steelers and Ravens (possibly the Colts) for the other first round bye. We also know that the Steelers still play the Ravens. If the Steelers beat the Ravens and play the way they should the rest of the season the Steelers will earn a first round bye. I am rooting for the Jets to beat the Patriots because we still play the Jets. If we beat the Jets and the Patriots lose to the Jets we could still earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Here are some scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Jets lose to Patriots, and Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens and both finish 12 and 4

Patriots earn 1 seed, Steelers earn 2 seed

Scenario 2:

Jets beat Patriots, lose to Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens

Patriots lose game not vs. Jets

Steelers earn 1 seed, Jets earn 2 seed

To recap:

Even though we were embarrased last night we still control our own destiny for a first round bye and with only a little help home field advantage throughout the playoffs

The Patriots beat us. Yes I know. However, the two 7 and 2 teams in the AFC are in the East. We all know that a division can only earn one first round bye. That means that either the Jets or Patriots will have to play a road wild card game to start the playoffs. This leaves the Steelers and Ravens (possibly the Colts) for the other first round bye. We also know that the Steelers still play the Ravens. If the Steelers beat the Ravens and play the way they should the rest of the season the Steelers will earn a first round bye. I am rooting for the Jets to beat the Patriots because we still play the Jets. If we beat the Jets and the Patriots lose to the Jets we could still earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Here are some scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Jets lose to Patriots, and Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens and both finish 12 and 4

Patriots earn 1 seed, Steelers earn 2 seed

Scenario 2:

Jets beat Patriots, lose to Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens

Patriots lose game not vs. Jets

Steelers earn 1 seed, Jets earn 2 seed

To recap:

Even though we were embarrased last night we still control our own destiny for a first round bye and with only a little help home field advantage throughout the playoffs

Now some goods and bads on the game last night.

To start with the bads

1. William Gay: He gave up three TD's to a blocking TE. He should be benched next week because his play was awful.

2. Trai Essex: He played just horrible yesterday. He looked fat, lazy, and out of shape. If The Big Legursky is healthy next week he better get the start.

3. the rest of the offensive line: 5 sacks to a horrible defense. Could not create running room. Just unacceptable

4. The injury bug: Hines Ward suffered a concussion due to a helmet to helmet hit that will likely go un-fined. Lawrence Timmons left the game in the 4th quarter and did not return.

5. Jeff Reed: Missed a 22 yard FG and barley made a 26 yard FG. He needs to be cut now or at the end of the season. Hopefully now. He is not an NFL FG kicker. He should be sent to the CFL.

6. The DE's: Every big run Ben Jarvis Green Ellis had was right an one of our two DE's in the game. They were constantly getting pushed off the ball and could not make plays at all.

7. Deebo and Lamaar Woodley: A group of OLB's that is far and away the best in the NFL. However, yesterday they looked horrible.

8. The defensive game plan: Coach Dad should know that soft coverage will never beat the Pats. If we play them again we need to rush 5 to 7 every play and have our corners play hard bump and run coverage. If we continue to sag off Pats receivers we will continue to get beat.

9. ARE: He should be benched in favor of Manny Sanders. He had a drop in the endzone that ended up being huge in the game. He was just pathetic.

Wow is that a long list of bads. Now moving on to the few goods

1. Mike Wallace: Mike showed he is a complete receiver. Despite not having any huge deep catches, he had 8 rec for 136yds and 2 tds. I would rate him a top 15 receiver and he is getting better every day.

2. Emmanuel Sanders: With Hines Ward hurt, Manny Sanders stepped up. He had 5rec for 41yds and a TD and Ben looked to him a lot in the 4th Quarter. He should get the spot instead of ARE and Brown should be dressed instead of ARE. Sanders made one mistake missing a hot read but other than that he played great.

3. Rashard Mendenhall: Despite an unimpressive stat line, Mendy showed the ability to cut and move. Despite having no blocking Mendy finished averaging 4.5 yards a carry.

4. Mewelde Moore: He had 5 rec for 79yds and 14yds on the ground. A pretty solid game from Moore.

5. James Farrior: James had a great game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assists. He did not get burned on pass coverage either.