Defense 1st half - They started off hot, but after our first two scores it was like they didn't think they were needed. I've never seen such laziness. Ike Taylor missed tackles and an interception that Strafford threw right into his hands, and then he just racked up penalties, holding and pass interference, and then for good measure missed another interception on the one yard line. Suddenly we were out scored 17-3 with 327 yards allowed, and still Strafford kept coming, throwing and throwing and throwing. He ended up with 300 yards passing in the FIRST HALF. Awful.
Dropped catches - We couldn't even hold on to the ball on a kick off let alone on one of Ben's passes. Heath Miller has dropped and lost more balls this year then he has caught. The one he couldn't hold on to in the end zone was heartbreaking.
Defense 2nd half - I don't know who spoke in the locker room at halftime, but it worked. The defense double up coverage on Calvin Johnson and suddenly the Lions offense couldn't move the ball. We intercepted. We smacked down passes. We sacked the quarterback. We covered the receivers so well Stafford had no where to throw the ball. Suddenly the curtain was back. Fabulous.
Ben - 367 yards, 4 touchdowns, and the win. He called plays. He dictated on the field. The offensive line kept him safe. He threw power passes. The man knows football and he came through yesterday. Oh, and he even ran a bit.
Jim Schwartz - Leading by three with a fourth down in the red zone, he pretended his team would kick a field goal. It didn't work. The holder running the ball fumbled and the Steelers recovered, eventually getting a touchdown. Everyone said, "What the hell was that? Why? Why?" I didn't. Schwartz is a pompous ass who wanted to rub it in the Steelers face. And really, with the way the defense had been playing, why wouldn't he think it would work? But that's the trouble with getting cocky when it is still early in a game. That's the problem with getting too full of yourself and running forward in your mind. Actually, that's the problem with being a pompous ass.
Antonio Brown - He was a stud with two touchdowns and 147 yards. He definitely is a team player willing to put in the work and not give up. I wish he would take the leadership role, but like Polamalu he is too soft spoken and his religion keeps him humble.
Beards - I'm over these too. Yes, Brett Keisel, who sat on the Steelers' sideline with an injury, has made money for charity the last few years by growing his beard during the season and then holding an event to cut it. He started it back years ago on the way to winning the Super Bowl. Superstition kept him going the next year, but it has been too long now and, psst Brett, it ain't working anymore. You look too hairy and too grungy, and now Big Ben is sporting an ugly beard and Troy has a moustache. Ugh. Let's try something new. Let's get clean cut and shaven and act like respected citizens.
Polamalu hair - And since I addressed the beard I might as well talk about Troy's cutting his hair for charity on Veteran's Day. It was touted as a big deal since Troy hasn't cut his hair since he was like two years old, but it turned out to be no big deal. At least in the cutting. Several people got to snip about an 1/16th of an inch of a follicle of Troy's hair. Polamalu posted video on his Facebook page, and while the first snip had him passing out on the floor for humor, the rest was sort of a let down. I hope he raised tons though.
Big Ben Rumor - I don't know what the true story is regarding all this talk of trading him. I don't know who started it or who wants what, but I can speculate and give my opinion: Roethlisberger doesn't care for OC Todd Haley. Personally, neither do I. But I don't think the Steelers management cares. I dont think that they care much for Roethlisberger as a person, despite his going straight, his marriage and the birth of his son, and his turn around as a peaceful-get-along-with-fans-media-and-players man. The Rooneys want straight arrows on their team and Ben's past troubles have left a bad taste in their minds. Frankly, I wonder if it hasn't done the same to guys on the team. I count our troubles to back then, despite us getting to the Super Bowl that year. We haven't been the Steelers since then.
I also don't see that Ben has the leadership of that locker room. With the loss of Bettis and Hines I wonder if anyone does. That being said, the man is good. He can play football. He can play great football. He won that game last night. He ran the no huddle and called plays and marched those guys down the field to the win. He has flashes of moments of leadership on the field when he wants to and when the team wants him to. The problem is that he has to,carry that leadership and momentum all the time.
Now, Ben doesn't make the money other QB's, especially those from last season like Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub, and Matt Ryan, are earning. Quarterbacks that haven't done what Roethlisberger has done in his ten years in the league. Can't sit well,with him. Of course he wants that. What you make in the NFL gives you power, earns respectability, and means you are great. Who wouldn't want that and the millions of dollars that come with it. He probably also knows the feeling of management and the team. He certainly knows that he is getting bruised and battered by his own line. I see his agent putting the rumor out there to keep Ben's hands clean and to start things rolling. Whatever. It's business in this league and loyalty and love for the game is a crock. Ben is a good quarterback who isn't having fun coming to work. If that is the case then it won't get better. Doesn't mean the team and owners should let him dictate how things run. Either way the Steelers have a lot of work to do in the off season no matter what decision is made.
Other:
Tornado Warning - The skies in Chicago turned ugly and black in the first quarter and Soldier Field was quickly evacuated with players heading to the locker room and fans taking cover under the concourse with the Ravens ahead 10-0. The delay lasted two hours and then the skies cleared as if nothing had happened and the Bears came out and won the game. Unfortunately, multiplemtornadoes did hit the Midwest, killing five people and destroying tons of farms and towns.
Worse Injury - How nasty was the Saints cornerback Jabari Greer's leg injury? I could only watch one replay and still keep,down my lunch.
Ed Reed - Last week he was playing for the Houston Texans and after their loss he gave his thoughts and opinions on why to reporters. This week he played for the Jets after being traded for opening his mouth. Wonder if he gives his opinion on the Jets loss or if he needs an extra week to assess. Wonder if he is sorry he isn't still with the Ravens. Wonder if the Ravens wish he were still with them.
Texans - And speaking of Reed's ex- team, what has happened there? Not sure which team has spiraled down the quickest, the Falcons or the Texans, but the media made a big deal of Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson exchanging terse words on the sideline after Johnson missed a pass. Whoop-de-do. Guys should be getting fired up. Especially teams that suck. I want to see some fire and some accountability. Doesn't mean much beyond that. The media is just bored.
No undefeated - And then there were none...undefeated teams that is. Peyton Manning and the Broncos handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season. Doesn't mean much until we get to the playoffs.
Offensive Line - See what happens when your quarterback is beat up from last week and needs extra protection this week? The Broncos did a great job of keeping Manning safe. No sacks on the quarterback with wobbly ankles and it gave him time to make the great plays to win the game.
Beats - Ever notice how sports players are always shown arriving, working out, and exiting stadiums with Beats headphones over their ears? Yes, we know you make enough money to own several pairs, but I'm wondering what it would be like if all of you took off the headphones and communicated with one another.
Fox Sports - I'm a huge fan of Curt, Terry, Howie, and company, but yesterday's lead in with Minka Kelly just led to the men acting like pigs. They slobbered all over the beautiful woman and made stupid, childish remarks. And Fox has got to come up with a better beginning to their show instead of trying to plug their TV line up. Stick to football.
Rob Riggle - I will say, however, that I do enjoy the lightheartedness of Fox's Rob Riggles segment each week on his picks. This week he had kids of not so great teams, whew the Steelers weren't one of them, as part of his skit. My favorite. "Is it true the Bucs all got cooties?"
Brett Favre - He doesn't want his son to play football. Really? He doesn't have a son. This is the headline that came from his interview? How about the fact that he can't remember things from all the hits to his head over the years?
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