The view in post-season

So Mike didn’t sit’em.  And Ben ended up with a concussion.  It’s “mild” according to reports from the team and Ben is expected to play on January 11.  Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said in his weekly chat, “Tomlin does not coach scared, and I doubt he second-guessed his decision.”

The Steelers played well against the Browns.  In contrast to their past run and done offense, they brought in Sean McHugh as fullback for Willie Parker.  The result, Parker had one of his 4 games this season rushing for more than 100 yards.  It was Parker’s second best running game of the season with 116 yards.  The Steelers had 176 rushing yards and scored 3 rushing TD’s.  Most yards rushed since the season opener against the Texans.  Parker called Coach Tomlin out about 3 weeks ago saying the Steelers had a “lack of commitment to the running game.”

Maybe that’s true.  I’ve heard the sentiment echoed by some other players.  But I think Parker hasn’t been playing that great and have said so repeatedly.  His health a major factor in his success (or lack thereof).  He played in 11 games this season ending with a fairly respectable but not outstanding 791 yards rushing.  Five games he rushed for less than 50 yards and 4 games more than 100.  I still feel that Mewelde Moore had a better season.  And he’s able to catch a pass as well.

The playoffs

If the O-line picks it up and brings on the A game, I think there will be 3 more victories for us fans.

They’ve got to get it together.  In plays where the offense really seems to get going, the play is nullified by repeat holding calls.  You can’t win in the NFL with penalties.  Especially when you will be playing the likes of the Colts, Chargers or Dolphins – and possibly a rematch against the Ravens in AFC championship.  Penalties will kill you.  And while I do agree that Ben holds the ball a little long, he’s been sacked a league second high at 46 times (Matt Cassell leads at 47 times).  Come on O-line – bring it, we need you!

Trendsetters

We’ve got a bye this week and home field advantage on January 11 (game starts at 4:45pm).  Since 1979, the Steelers haven’t won a Super Bowl when they’ve had a bye week.  Let’s break that trend and create a new destiny.

Defense Rock

To end on a high note, the Steelers defense ALMOST set a new NFL record for lowest yards allowed in a 16 game season – they missed by 0.007 yards!!  That record is held by the 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here’s what post-season looks like right now:

January 11 @ Heinz Field 4:45pm

Pittsburgh plays EITHER the winner of the Colts/Chargers game OR Miami.

January 18 NFC plays at 3pmon Fox; AFC plays at 6:30pm on CBS

Feb 1, Super Bowl, Tampa, 6pm on NBC