Monday NFL recap - Week #8

Steelers:

• It's always so frustrating to lose these kind of games. Nickle and diming through all four quarters, leading, and then giving it away in the end. 
• Well, the offense started out great moving down the field 80+ yards, but then it all went to pot until the last series when we played great with Ben just overthrowing Antonio Brown for the winning touchdown. Now we just have to work on doing all of that stuff THE ENTIRE GAME.
• The defense stepped up again, but they are going to have to score now since the offense is stagnant. All of our offensive guns and weapons that everyone, including the players themselves, bragged so much about just can't seem to get into the end zone anymore. We had two takeaways and we didn't convert. You can't do that and win games.
• Le'Veon Bell is out. Most likely for the rest of the season if that bent leg we all saw on television is as nasty as it was to watch it. While he is a loss I was impressed with De'Angelo Williams at the beginning of the season when he stepped in for Bell so I think he can continue to help out. While Bell is a loss it isn't what I would call a team season-ender.
• Mike Mitchell's taunting call in the second quarter when the Bengals should have been punting? Unforgivable. Seriously, NFL players, stop the antics, stop the celebrations, stop the taunting. I'm looking at you too Odem Beckham Jr. 
• Welcome back though to Heath Miller! He didn't even get a touch last week, but this week he had 10 catches for 105 yards and a huge tackle to keep a Bengal from scoring.
• Ben was rusty. I didn't think he would be like this. I thought he would come out gunning and that he and Antonio would show the world what they should have been doing all along. Oh, wait. They did do that. But maybe while Ben was sidelined and Brown wasn't getting the ball the rest of the teams figured it all out because after that great first drive there was nothing. "I just played poorly," Roethlisberger said in his post game interview, disagreeing with my feeling of rust. "No. We went down the field the opening drive just fine. So, it's just bad football on my part and I apologize." Three interceptions for Big Ben's return. The Steelers have a lot of work to do before next week.

Other:

• So Fox's Jay Glazer gave us the scoop that not only has Indianapolis' Andrew Luck been battling the shoulder injury, but he also has "multiple fractured ribs" that he has been playing through. Something tells me that's on Colts owner Jim Irsay whose getting a bit snippy with his employees and showing a desperation for a winning team. He apparently didn't learn anything by his last injured quarterback.
• Whoopee! Eli Manning and Drew Brees combined to score the most touchdowns in a single game with 13 between them. Brees threw 7 touchdowns and earned himself a tie in the record book for most in a single game. The game went down to the wire with a fumble by New York, a recovery by New Orleans, and a kick to win the game with .05 seconds on the clock. Saints beat Giants 52-49. Holy high scoring!
• Injuries was the name of the week. In the first half of the games alone fourteen players were hurt; four with concussions and the rest with back, foot, calf, tendon, and ankle injuries. Five guys were carted off of the field and didn't return; Ravens Steve Smith, Steelers Le'Veon Bell, 49ers Reggie Bush, Bears Matt Forte, and Saints Khiry Robinson. Steve Smith has a torn achilles and is out for the rest of the season. I'm sure Bell will be joining him on the sidelines as well.
• The second half of football was even worse with Seattle's Ricardo Lockette going down after a hit to the head in Dallas' AT&T Stadium. He was knocked unconscious and spent considerable time sprawled out on the field while both teams came out on the field. It was a very horrific scene and just another reminder why this game is so dangerous.
• I'm annoyed that I didn't go with my gut on my man Peyton. I hope he forgives me.