Playoff football returns for the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. We sure are blessed to have meaningful games in January to watch most years as fans of the Steelers. As nice as it is to just qualify for the postseason, the hope is always that the Steelers get or stay hot at the right time and win it all. Even in a year like 2011 when so much is stacked against the Steelers, the optimism remains. And why shouldn't it? Especially this weekend against a very average Denver Broncos team?

Both home teams won on Saturday however, and it appears as if the New York GIants will make it 3-for-3. Pittsburgh can expect a loud and riled up crowd in Denver, so if there was any advantage the Broncos have, it begins and ends there really. Hopefully the Steelers get out to a fast start and take the crowd out of it a little bit, not to mention force Denver to get outside its comfort zone offensively.

Catch you all during the game. Go Steelers!

And so it begins.  That all too familiar feeling of tumultuous excitement.  The Steelers are set to kick off their (pre)season against the Redskins of Washington tonight at 7:30.  If you are just tuning into us for the first time this year (or even any Steelers news at all) be sure to read this article and this article to get up to speed on the goings-on so far in the preseason.  Also, they can act as a nice rubric on players to watch tonight.

Tonight and the next few games are the chance for young players to step up and make a name for themselves.  These are the games that can take a relative no one and turn them into an Issac Redman.  Or, we can run into the all to familiar "they are who we thought they were" conclusion.  My suggestion, grab a pen and paper and jot down a few notes during the game. It might seem a bit "nerdy", but I have found it is a good way to remember things you saw you liked or did not like without rewatching the game.

Or you can just grab and shoot off wisecracks about Ike Taylor never having ever had a cold because he could not catch one.  Either way, make sure you join us in the game thread to share your thoughts on the game.

Go Steelers!

Trick or Treat?  Smell my feet.  The Saints we will beat.

Quick Notes:

• Trai Essex to start at RG
• Keisel out.
• Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush out for Saints
• Also, their CB Jabari Greer out for Saints.
• Mike Tomlin is still a BA
• 0 trick-or-treaters stopped by my house, tons of left over candy to fatten up on

That's all I got.  Go Steelers!

As our fearless leader, Michael Bean, pointed out earlier this weekend the Steelers are about to dive into a difficult four game stretch that involves 3 straight away games.  The Steelers face 3 very good teams in Miami, New Orleans, and New England and finish off with a struggling Cincinnati.  Therefore, the Steelers need to start out on the right foot and get a win in the first game of that stretch.  I would hate to be coming off a loss and turn a match-up against the defending Super Bowl champions into a must win situation.

The Miami Dolphins sit at 3-2 coming off a huge win against the packers on an overtime field goal.  Cameron Wake had a huge game that involved him introducing Aaron Rodgers to the turf on three occasions.  Quarterback Chad Henne was reliable through the game and lead his team into field goal range to win the game.  One thing I like about the Phins is that they are a figure in the mold of our Pittsburgh Steelers.  They love to play physical defense and they try to wear you down with their hard hitting running game.  That is why I think this game will be a close one and very hard fought.

A few key match-ups to watch:

Flozell Adams/Max Starks vs Cameron Wake: Wake is quite the handful for any Tackle and will most likely get consistent double teams from our line.  I expect we could see Heath and Mendenhall/Redman chipping on whatever side of the field he is on.

James Harrison vs. Jake Long: Long is one of the best tackles in the game.  Harrison is one of the best OLBs in the league.  This battle will be epic.  Even if Long prevents Deebo from getting to Henne, I expect that Harrison will flush Henne towards Woodley a few times.  Additionally, I have yet to see a Tackle dominate Harrison in the running game, so I expect him to win there.

Troy Polamalu vs. Chad Henne: His Hairness has been "quiet" the last two games and has not gotten a pick since the Titans game.  I have heard rumblings from Dolphins fans that Henne has a tendency to stare down his WRs.  If he does that today, Troy is going to make him pay.  The reason Troy is such a great safety is that he learns quickly during a game.  If you run an out a three times to the same WR, you can bet your butt he will be in front of the fourth.

Lawrence Timmons vs. Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams: Timmons has been tremendous against the run this year and I do not expect that to change today.  The Dolphins line is very good at opening holes and Brown is very good at finding them.  However, today Brown will find that more often than not Timmons will be filling that hole (TWSS).

Go Steelers!!!

It was made official that Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme were inactive for the game today.  That makes newly acquired Brett Ratliff the backup for starter Colt McCoy.  I expect that means the Browns will take an offensive approach similar to what the Steelers did last year against the Baltimore Ravens when Ben Roethlisberger was out with a concussion.  However, the Browns have a less healthy RB in Peyton Hillis, who has an injured quad but is still active.

Speaking of Ben Roethlisberger, the big awaited debut is today.  It was announced that they will be announcing the offense, not the defense, before the game today.  I expect to hear mostly cheers, but definitely some 'boos' mixed in there.  Will the boos get to him?  Will he look rusty?  We will get a good look at where Ben is during today's game.  My expectations are something like 300 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Lofty, maybe, but not out of the realm of possibility.

I am very intrigued to see what kind of offense Bruce Arians comes out with.  Ben said he expects the offense to be very balanced, but we all have our reservations with our OC.  With his golden child back behind center, I am a little bit nervous him falling back to pass, pass, pass.  We shall see.

Steelers inactives: CB Crezdon Butler, CB Keenan Lewis, WR Antonio Brown, RB Jonathan Dwyer, T Tony Hills, RG Trai Essex, OLB Thaddeus Gibson, QB Charlie Batch.

Baltimore Ravens stink!  suspect Polamalu will pick off Joe Flacco 30 times and Harrison will tattoo his helmet in Flacco's chest.  Timmons is going to eat Chicken with Ray Rice on the side for dinner.

Go Steelers!

These two divisional foes kick it off against each other. With many people expecting an easy win for a San Diego team that has been perennial playoff contenders against the lowly chiefs.

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Well ladies and gentleman here were go again.  The Steelers will be taking on the Atlanta Falcons at 1pm and this looks to be a match-up of two playoff caliber teams.   This live thread is here for you to cheer, cry, and even complain about Bruce Arians and his play calling.  There is only one question left to have answered:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Filling in for our fearless leader once again - here's our game thread. LET'S GO!!!