NFL Monday recap - week #9

Steelers: I feel like I say the same crap every week, every year. Nothing changes. We either play well, or we don't. There is never any in-between. This week we didn't even play until it was WAY too late.

• Ten penalties in the first half. Yep, nothing new there.
• Quietness from Antonio Brown. Yep, nothing new there.
• Missed tackles. Yep, nothing new there.
• Celebrating when a tackle is finally made. Yep, nothing new there.
• What did I say about Mike Wallace in my picks? Uh-huh. I know. I wish we had more guys on our team that feel that fire. And then who go out and do something to put it out. 
• Ben was off. He overthrew, wasn't mobile, made tons of mistakes, couldn't push off his left leg, and generally looked confused. I'd say he came back too soon, and it showed. At halftime, Tomlin was interviewed on the field, and said Ben "was solid." We all fell off of the couch. WTH? Tomlin needs to get his head out of his ass, stop being friends with his players, and hold them accountable. Ben had 66 total yards at halftime. Not our Ben. Let's hope he can pull it together for Dallas next week at home.
• The Steelers had only 2, T-W-O, first downs in the first three quarters. Ain't going to win a game playing like that.
• The game was over when the Ravens blocked our ninth punt of the day. Not one Steelers player, not even our kicker who granted was on the ground, attempted to go after the ball rolling around the field. So the Ravens picked it up and scored. It was as if the Steelers knew it was all over.
• James Harrison was in beast mode on defense. He had a sack and a forced fumble and gave the Ravens offense something to think about. If only he had scored for the Steelers.
• The defense showed up, but the offense was flat out, well, hell, I don't even know what they were doing. Sleeping? They sure weren't doing what they are paid to do. Jeez.
• Oh, hello Eli Rogers, where were you in the first three quarters?
• Ben ran for the second touchdown. Yep, that's what we had to do. Have our two weeks from surgery, still limping, quarterback score. So much for having the number one wide receiver on our side.
• With less than ten minutes left in the game, we woke up. We scored two touchdowns to avoid a shut out and to make it look like the game was close. We haven't been shut out in ten years, so I suppose that was a plus, but not even those two touchdowns could take out the nasty taste of this game.
• Our attempted onside kick was seriously the craziest thing ever. Boswell thought he was playing soccer. He took a few little hops, twisting his legs around one another, and tried to kick with his right leg behind his left leg. He missed. "He was doing the ballerina," my buddy said. So much for a turnaround. The seven refs gathered midfield, laughing. They had no idea what to even call that. At least we'll make the SportsCenter reel. 

Other:

• Last week Cam Newton talked at his post-game conference about his lack of calls from the refs and his intent to discuss the situation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The two did meet to discuss the case, and Newton said the discussion went as well as could be expected. Cryptic, but nothing new when it comes to talks with Goodell. What annoyed me was how other NFL players dissed Newton's complaint. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said, "...if I didn't want to play football, if I didn't want to get hit, I'd be playing tennis." Seriously? Where is the solidarity? 
• Detroit's quarterback Matt Stafford looked like he was sunburned in overtime of the Detroit/Minnesota game, but it was just pure exertion. He's a fighter, that one.
• Kudos to Detroit's kicker Matt Prater for his 58-yard field goal straight between the uprights. Someone knows his job and works to earn his keep. Got the Lions into overtime.
• The Lions won the game in overtime, but wide receiver Golden Tate better stop that somersaulting into the end zone because I didn't think he got the TD. Luckily, for him that breaking the plane nonsense saved his ass.
• I have come to the conclusion that Odell Beckham Jr. hears voices and talks to them on the sidelines. Anyone else with me?
• Nice win for the Dolphins with that 99-yard punt return to win the game. I hope Jets Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't dream of 300+ pound men intercepting him tonight. Oh, wait. That did happen for real.
• I wish I knew what Aaron Rogers and Andrew Luck said to one another after the game. A lot of nice long bombs, a couple of interceptions, a few scrambles, and these two quarterbacks were blazing. Too bad one had to lose, but it's always nice for me to see the old man get schooled by the youngster. A little quid pro quo.
• Do we really believe that Dallas' Jerry Jones is truly undecided on whether or not he wants Tony Romo back as his quarterback? Please. He isn't fooling any of us, and I wish the media would stop asking him what his plan is when Romo is healthy. I'll tell you. Romo will be on the sidelines just like he is now. If Jones smokes something and puts in Romo next week against the Steelers, he'll end up on a stretcher. Put a fork in him. He's done.