Squeaking past the Bills – Steelers win in OT
Did you hear that?
It was the collective exhale of Steeler Nation as Stevie Johnson bobbled and dropped what would have been a game winning TD catch in overtime on Sunday. The Bills have played some tough games – against good teams. They played tough against the Steelers, the Patriots and the Ravens this year. They are much better than their record says. Their youth shows through in the clutch. I have to admit, I felt a little bad for Johnson as he sat, clearly near tears, on the sideline following the game. Not bad enough that I will give back a W, but he played tough, just didn’t make the catch when he needed to. But I don’t have to say anything, I am sure he’s beat himself up enough about it over the last 24 hours.
On to the Steelers. What was that?
The question of the morning on NFL Network was, “Are the Steelers really as good as their record?”
Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp both said no. This is a question I have been grappling with for the last few weeks. It’s almost as if we were better without Ben. One, it was early in the season and we still had healthy, for the most part, players. Second, everyone had to step it up and they did. I just don’t get this team. Defense looks like it’s dominant but then you play a game like the Patriots and they tear it to shreds. Ben has no lack of yards…Rashard had a game winning rushing game on Sunday against the Bills and still…OT and almost LOST? I am confused. Who is this team?
Does anyone know?
What I do know is this…you can’t beat the Ravens, nor the Jets…and possibly not the Bengals with sloppy play. There are injuries across the board, but you have to rally and get it together. Most teams are struggling with some sort of injury, so it’s a wash. The AFC is starting to show who real is who not – and watch out for San Diego. They are scary right now.
To answer that NFL Network question. Steeler Nation isn’t going to like this one, but….
I don’t think the Steelers are as good as their record would have you believe right now. If there aren’t some real improvements, December is going to hit really, really hard and not in a good way.
Please, tell me I am wrong….and support it with a good argument, please.
Let’s get those Ravens. That will possibly change my mind here.
Terri (missedgehead):
November 29th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
San Diego will choke in the playoffs like they always do so I am not all that scared of San Diego. Jets….meh.. can’t buy a team that should be 6-5 and not 9-2 thanks to a few lucky breaks. As for the Steelers…..we have a lot of problems…injuries, o line . Ben has a lot of problems. The main problem I have with Ben, and you are not going to like it but what separates him from Brady, P.Manning, and even some of the younger guys like Matt Ryan, Flacco, etc is that those guys take what the defenses give them, and will look for the open receiver. Ben, on the other hand always goes for the home run every time he goes back to pass. He won’t check down. He won’t go for the hot read. We have problems on O line. We have to clean up the holding and such. I don’t know what is up with LeBeau. He won’t blitz anymore. Perhaps it is time for him to retire.
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rob mcphail:
November 29th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I read something today that said the Steelers seem to play to their competion. Play good against good teams, other than New England, and play just enough against average teams to win. The Steelers have lost to good teams this year. Baltimore squeeked by and the Saints and Pats were pissed because the Browns laid one on them the week before. I’m kind of getting a Super Bowl 40 vibe from this team, O-line problems, running game was good, although not used enough this year. That team played really good teams in December and pulled it out. I think that could happen this year. And we know what happened that year, one for the thumb. Here we go!
Anthony Battaglia:
November 30th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Just remember folks, December is HERE! I’m not too bothered about the cliffhanger win over the Bills.. the Steelers simply didn’t give up.. the Bills found another way to LOSE.. not the first time this year either. I recall the Steelers were coughing up ‘distressing losses’ at the same stage last season to ‘so-so team’ or have many of you excused that already? NO GAME is a gimme! You work hard as a TEAM = Team WINS more time than not regardless of injuries…blah blah blah. Although this season hasn’t been overly convincing compared to the Steelers 2005/08 SB seasons, I will NOT DENY the 8-3 record. Let the experts in the media pour the ACID on the Steelers… I think that’s healthy.. the Steelers react well to adversity. Mike Tomlin is happy to have a RELIABLE KICKER and so am I! Without Shaun Suisham’s CLUTCH kicking , no way WIN on Sunday. Simple as that.