Adversity.
That’s what the Steelers really love. Clearly. Because injuries have created a ton of adversity leading into this game, and pretty much the entire season. In fact, most of the NFL analysts and twitter analysts (written in sarcasm font) wrote the Steelers off until…….they beat the New York Football Giants and reigning champions.
Then the defense wasn’t old, it was the steel curtain again.
The O-line was protecting Ben and giving him time to throw the ball to any of the young money crew, or create a gap for any one of the revolving door of RBs.
And then, Ben got hurt. It was all over in the eyes of, well, pretty much everyone.
Analysts have said that the Steelers can’t win without Ben. (Although, as I pointed out to the twitter analysts, remember when Ben was suspended for 4 games? Look it up.)
The difference between winning and losing tonight has not a lot to do specifically with Ben, but with heart. Big heart. Specifically heart of the defense. Passion on the field. Yes, it’s cliche that defense wins championships, but let’s look at that Giants game…offense played great, but defense was really the difference maker. The defense played lights out. And that, in conjunction with a good offense, won the game. Those of you who think that Byron can’t handle it, think again. He’s not Ben, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t throw the ball to any one of the great receivers. He’s not going to extend the play in quite the same way as Ben can. But Byron surely worked his butt off this week to knock off the rust that was visible last week when he went in for Ben. He surely spent hours working with everyone to get ready for one of the biggest games this season (and every season). So have faith in Byron.
But most important is how the defense plays today. Everyone needs to step up and make no mistakes. Tough request, but a necessary request. No PI calls today. No silly mistakes in the neutral zone, just no mistakes, period. Cover your man and for goodness sake, don’t leave the middle open for a long bomb please. (Visions of Tebow – and lots of others who have beat the Steelers over the middle).
This game is winnable. Ben or no Ben. Think about the message the Steelers send to the rest of the League with a win tonight. At home.
12th man stand up and be loud. Very loud.
LET’S GET THIS STEELERS!! HERE WE GO!
