Remembering where we were 10 months ago, how everyone hated Ben (Steeler fans alike) as well as the rest of the world, this year has been totally unexpected for Steeler fans and probably the organization, as well.  We will look back with bittersweet memories and lament what could have been.   It's not like we haven't been there for 15 years and lost; we just won two years ago and five years ago.  And we are always in contention for the crown! Not too many other teams can say that, right?

Ben wanted the win too badly on Sunday...he tried too hard. He absolutely had to win!  The throws were forced, when they weren't there. To win the game would have been the ultimate redemption for him...if there is such a thing.  But in his eyes, if Roger Goddell would have had to hand the trophy to Ben, it would have been the ultimate revenge for the Steelers. 

This game reminded me of when the New England Patriots went to the Superbowl a few years ago, on an 18 game winning streak.  No one wanted them to win, but Pat's fans. Everyone wanted to see them fall.  But they went, strutting their stuff, only to get beaten badly.  We didn't get beaten badly, and we were in the game up to the end, but it just didn't happen.   

The Steelers seem to look at going to the Superbowl, almost as their right.  I think they felt that just because they were going, they would win.  They had been through so much together, as a team and otherwise, that it almost seemed like fate that they would win.  The veterans didn't seem hungry and almost seemed to have a sense of entitlement, so they felt that the win would just fall in their laps and they would be crowned the Champs!!  The newbies, like Wallace, Sanders, Brown seemed lost in the crowd.  They had a few catches and Wallace even had a TD, but they were too green for this SB.  In the end, I think the Steeler's experience is what did them in. But I can assure you, they will never take it for granted again! 

No one knows if they will ever get back, but with Ben's grit and determination, his fortitude and luck, we know what can be and what will be!  It's possible that this team gets a few more trophies before Ben's career is over and done with because he is so unexpected and wonderful!!