NFL sees the light...?

Wow! So anyone who wants to will be able to see this Saturday's Patriots-Giants game? Will get to see the Pats go for 16-0? How kind of the NFL to relent and allow the game to be broadcast on network television.

Hmmm....Well, I'd like to believe Roger Goodell when he says "We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans," - but I don't. Sorry, I'm harder to convince than that.

If he really wanted to act in the "best interest of our fans," he'd mandate that there be four NFL games on every Sunday - two at 1 and two at 4 (EST) - each and every Sunday. On non-pay channels - that everyone gets.

How is it acting in the best interest to take games off the network TV schedule and put them on a network that they know many people do not have access to? Especially if they pick and choose the prime games on that week's docket?

I'd like to think that the NFL really is looking out for its fans. But I don't. Time and again, they've proven that they like the fan money - but not necessarily the fans that go with that.

So enjoy the Pats-Giants game folks. Keep feeding the beast. Good ol' Uncle Goodell has given us a great Christmas present, hasn't he? What a kind and benevolent fellow.

Steelers take AFC North - thanks Browns!

Well, it isn't the preferred way to have it happen, but the Steelers are AFC North champs as a result of the 19-14 loss the Browns suffered to the Bengals. Well, maybe it is a good way for it to happen...after all, the Browns can't be happy about it. And neither can the Bengals. So we get to stick it to our favorite teams to hate once again.

And I say 'hate' in the nicest possible way...

Not a bad rookie season for Mike Tomlin. Not bad at all. Cowher was 11-5 in his inagural season, and Tomlin has a very good chance to match that. Both coaches will have made the playoffs in their first seasons.

Clearly, no disrespect intended, but compare that to Chuck Noll (1-13 in his first season), and that's really impressive. Of course, there is a disparity in rings between the three men.

But Tomlin is just getting started. And given the recent history of the Steelers, we will probably be watching Tomlin coach the Stillers for another 10-15 years. Should be a blast to watch.

On to the playoffs! Gotta love the Browns...

Steelers 41, Rams 24 - back on the playoff path!

Ok - the good news...The Steelers won a game! Wasn't sure I was going to be able to write that again. The bad news? Willie Parker broke his fibula and is out for the season! Well, all is not lost, as Najeh Davenport ran for 123 yards and the banged-up Roethlisberger threw for three more TD passes, pushing his season total to 32 - four more than HOF QB Terry Bradshaw. Not bad.

And then there's Hines Ward - who passed HOF receiver John Stallworth for the Steelers' career lead in yards. Are there any Stiller passing records he doesn't own now?

Let's hope that this good vibe can continue into the playoffs. All the teams that are going are teams that the Stillers struggled against or lost to. And if Cleveland makes it, they'd have to beat them for a third time in a season. Not an easy thing to do.

Although it is interesting to note that they did do it once before. In 1993. When the "genius" Belichick was Cleveland's head coach. Guess he's learned a few things coaching-wise over the years, huh?

The Fans Take Another Shot

So the NFL Network is fencing with the cable companies about whether or not the various providers will carry the network. Whatever - I get it as part of our Direct TV package, so I don't have to worry about it. I am, apparently, quite lucky on this front.

Then I get this email from "National Football League" with this subject line: "Are You Being Blocked From Seeing the Steelers vs Rams and Cowboys vs Panthers?"

Interesting. Of course, I think I already know what this is about, but let's open the mail and see what the NFL has to say. Just for fun.

Very dramatic. Two screen shots of football games with chains over them. At the top of the email, this booming (must be 20-point text (all caps) at least):

MILLIONS OF FANS WILL MISS STEELERS VS RAMS COWBOYS VS PANTHERS THURSDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT. (like the period instead of the exclamation point....subtle!)

Then...below the "football in chains" image:

TIME WARNER, COMCAST AND CHARTER ARE CHARGING MORE FOR NFL NETWORK OR BLOCKING YOU FROM GETTING FOOTBALL 24.7

They then suggest that we "switch to a provider that carries NFL Network at no extra charge and let your voice be heard."

OR they suggest we "contact your elected officials to tell them you want football 24.7" They also have more propaganda here: http://www.iwantnflnetwork.com/

Then there is this disclaimer: "Games subject to black out restrictions."

Black out restrictions. This should not exist. But that's a topic for another post....

Of course, there are folks who gripe about games being on ESPN in the first place and say that if the NFL ever goes completely away from network TV, they won't watch the games anymore. But for every one of these people, there are 10 others lining up to pay the toll.

So the NFL has pulled games from the schedule, put them on NFL Network - which is only available to a fraction of the NFL fanbase - and now wants the fans to rally against the cable companies and/or to contact our elected officials. I sincerely hope our elected officials have better things to do.

It's quite clever. A situation created by the NFL, that irritates fans....and the NFL has managed to make it seem as though this is solely the fault of the cable companies. Not bad. Money talks and fans look for a way to keep watching the games.

The cable companies have been fleecing the consumer since the beginning. I have no sympathy for them. And the NFL is trying to sell its overexposed, multibillion dollar product. Understood.

So the fan takes another shot. What was once free is slowly being taken away. That's just the way of the world. It's too bad, really. People want to watch the games - they just may not be able to do that on network TV for much longer.

But there is a solution! Fans can contribute to the coffers of Time Warner, Comcast and Charter (and the NFL - let's not kid ourselves) who will no doubt conspire with the NFL to bring us this wonderful "treat" of pro football. At a cost, of course. Anything worth "giving" to the fan is worth giving for some green.

It's fun and I enjoy the games - but what cost is too much? I'm sure the NFL and the cable networks will determine that little detail for us and dole it out when the time (and money) is right.

Jax 29, Stillers 22 - Oh well

Okay - so the Steelers can't beat good teams that have a running game (Jacksonville). Or good teams that have a passing game (New England). And now they've done the unthinkable - losing two games in a row when Willie Parker rushed for 100+ yards.

And - I'm sure this is not the first time in a while that this happened, but it seems so - but Pittsburgh also got killed in terms of time of possession! Jax had the ball for 37+ minutes! What is going on with the Steelers? They were outgained 421-217 and outrushed 224-111 - doesn't this sound so much like the sort of numbers Steelers usually put on their opponents?

Pittsburgh did little to nothing in the first half. I'd stopped watching in the middle of the third quarter (yes, right after the Northcutt TD), so I was a bit surprised when I saw the final score. It was better, I suppose - but a loss is a loss.

Ben Roethlisberger, congrats on breaking the Steelers record for TDs in a season (29) and Anthony Smith...nice going on that 50-yard interception return. Let's have more of that and less of the stupid predictions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In other news, kudos to Brian Westbrook for giving up that TD and enabling the Eagles to then run out the clock and preserve the 10-6 win over the Cowboys. Unselfish and smart. How often can you say that about a football player? Nice job, Mr. Westbrook.

And people, enough about the Carrie Underwood/Jessica Simpson terrible performance by Romo thing. Does anyone really think there's anything to this? So much blather about nothing....

Another smart play came from Bills punter Brian Moorman, who kicked an errant snap out of the end zone to surrender two points to the Browns instead of six. Sometimes it's better to be the smart guy than the hero.

Steelers - check out the Browns...this is what you're supposed to be doing in December.

While Bud Selig slept...

So the Mitchell Report is finally out. And it indicates that there is significant steroid use in baseball?? Who would have guessed?

I paraphrase Claude Rains from Casablanca: "I'm shocked. Shocked to find that there's juicing in baseball." And the next line: "Here are your winnings, Mr. Selig."

Of course, the owners, players union and players all benefitted heavily as well. As attendance has grown, so has baseball's coffers. And what brought all those fans back to the park after the debacle that was the 1994 players strike? A roid-fueled home run chase between two now disgraced players.

So the Mitchell Report is finally out. What is accomplished? The taint on baseball is still there. Hank Aaron and Roger Maris are still no longer the rightful owners of their respective records. The millions of dollars spent by the fans are not going back to their pockets.

What is accomplished? Hard to tell. Selig gets to posture, claiming he will "act." Hasn't he been acting these many years when he "served" as commissioner? See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - just keep that money coming, boys.

Selig will "act" as far as the players union will let him. And that hasn't been real far in the past. And they're mad now. Not embarrased. Not ashamed. Seemingly not interested in changing their ways. Mad that they didn't get a look at the report before it was released. Looking like they will stonewall any effort to change the drug culture of baseball.

So play ball, boys! It will be time for spring training soon. And time for more attendance records because the fans are simply not going to stay away.

Clemens, Bonds, McGwire, Sosa - congratulations. The plan worked. And the only people who are "hurt" by this charade are the fans. Who are always "hurt" by sports. Maybe it's time to stop making excuses for the fans as well as MLB. Despite the way it seems, they (the fans) hold the cards. They could force baseball to clean up its act. But they won't.

Expect another record year for baseball and expect the 'Roid Boys(tm) to be right back on the field where they belong. Well, they belong somewhere else, but that would be inhumane.

But don't be so quick to give the fans a pass anymore. We're all a part of the problem - the owners, the players, the players union, Bud Selig, the networks, the press and the fans.

NE 34, Stillers 13 - Better Luck Next Time

Well, that didn't go so well for the Steelers. Despite Anthony Smith's guarantee, the Black & Gold fell to the soon-to-be 16-0 Patriots. I tip my hat to them, they were surely the better team that day. Although while watching the game, I was able to see what the Ravens were talking about.

After the first touchdown, Brady found Smith and jawed at him, causing a little pushing and shoving on the field. Of course, no flag was thrown. Surprisingly, they didn't throw a flag on Smith for answering the taunt. I think any other player would have been flagged there.

It's pretty safe to say that Brady is buying into his press now. So you're 16-0 and have been appointed the greatest quarterback EVER by ESPN. Here's your trophy - now stop being so annoying. It's not to say that Brady isn't good - it would be ridiculous to say that. But he is annoying.

Now, of course, since the Pats have sealed the first seed, and likely will seal home field throughout the playoffs, they won't face (or obliterate) a really good team until the second week of the playoffs.

Some Steelers (Smith included) have expressed a desire to get one more shot at the Pariots. Good luck with that. I sure hope they are planning to play a better game than the one they just did. Getting outscored 20-0 in the second half is really not how you want to be preparing for the playoffs. But who knows? Maybe Pittsburgh will figure something out.

I think it would be fun to see the Patriots go 16-0 and then lose in the first round of the playoffs. I can hear all of New England arrogantly proclaiming this will not happen. Well, that's why they play the games. Even if it isn't the Steelers that knock them off (and I am realistic enough to know that this is a long shot to happen at best), it would be fun. At least...I think so.

And things were going so smoothly

Oh well - so much for that. This past week, it's been quiet on the Steelers/Patriots front. And then along comes Anthony Smith, guaranteeing a Steelers win.

It was fine when Mike Tomlin made the 'Michigan versus Appalachian State' comment. Nothing wrong with a coach being confident in his team and players. In fact, this is the sort of subtle motiviational langauge off of which players can feed.

But when a young player whose name isn't called much on Sundays makes a prediction, teams can do any number of things. Laugh it off. Mock the prediction. Predict right back. Put it on the bulletin board. Wonder which one Bill Belichick will choose?

Remember when the warm and fuzzy Belichick used the fact that the Steelers had held a Super Bowl travel meeting the Monday before the 2001 AFC title game as a motivational tool? He said he refused to do that, indicating that all the emphasis was on the AFC title game. Troy Brown whined about not being respected. Lawyer Milloy testified that "I think the only way we are going to get any respect is to not just get to the Super Bowl, but to win it."

So the Steelers lost the game 24-17. I doubt the travel meeting had much to do with it. But I do wonder if any other Patriot title game opponent had the gall to have such a meeting? And I wonder if the Patriots had such a meeting in either of their next two title game weeks?

Anthony Brown, I like your enthusiasm and confidence. But next time you have a prediction, keep it to yourself. Honestly, this advice should be heeded by a lot of players. Leave that stuff to the Namaths of the world. Just get ready to play.

Next?

Bummer. Damn - that's the last time I root for the Ravens. And they played so well, too. Two games in a row now where the team just couldn't finish. And now ESPN is really going into overdrive with its rhetoric about how the Steelers are the last team that can beat the Patriots.

And on Mike and Mike in the Morning, they're blathering on about how the Eagles and Ravens have figured something out. How the blueprint has been made on how to play the Patriots. Sure there is game film to watch to see what Philly and Baltimore did. But Belichik has that same film. And he's a genius, right????

Let's back up a bit. The Eagles came within an AJ Feely interception of beating the unbeatable. They got greedy. I am thinking they must have been picturing themselves with the go ahead touchdown within their reach, and nothing was going to stop them. There was no reason to go for the touchdown when all they needed was to keep going along with the short gains. It had been working for them pretty well. Then they had to go for it all on one play.

Then along comes the Ravens. Or should I say "the hated Ravens" ? If there is one thing that Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati fans agree on...it's that we all hate the Ravens. I dislike the Browns and Bengals a lot, but it's different with them. I would clearly prefer that the Steelers kick the snot out of Cleveland and Cincy, but if the Steelers lose, I don't mind nearly as much as when they lost to Baltimore.

All that said, I was rooting for the Ravens. And they were doing so well. The defense was playing well....Brady even looked a little confused and frustrated. The Ravens were scoring and gaining good yardage on the ground. But what the heck was up with the timeouts? Billick used two in the first quarter. It seemed like every time I blinked, they were calling another time out.

Well, I was kinda hoping for an upset. Perhaps a less focused Patriot team. Now the Steelers may be facing a very good team that feels it has something to prove. After all, it's now been two games since they were able to post a 30+ point win.

Wouldn't it be great, Steeler Nation, if Pittsburgh was able to play the sort of game that the Eagles and Ravens played? But then be the team that managed to play that way for all four quarters?

Eagles/Seahawks: Fly, Eagles Fly!

Well, it's a very rare Sunday when I can say that I actually attended a pro football game. Thanks to my excellent brother-in-law, exactly this happened. I was there (with my equally excellent father-in-law) to watch the Eagles fall short against the Seahawks. And after watching the Seahawks again (I saw - on TV - them lose 21-0 to the great Steelers earlier in the season), I am left to wonder how they've (the Seahawks) won 8 games this year. If not for some unfortunate play calling and a couple of bad throws, the Eagles were the better team - even on a cold, unpleasant, sleety, rainy day.

I think it's pretty safe to say that Lofa Tatupu will not be getting another three interceptions (he now has 8 total in his three-year career) for quite a while.

This game is the second in a row where the Eagles took on a better team (one where this was really the case and one where this was perceived to be the case), played well enough to win, but eventually came in second.

Eagles fans - I feel for you. I remember well the Pittsburgh 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons where the Steelers struggled and had a few losing seasons. Hard to believe, but there were even rumblings about whether or not Cowher would return as coach. It now seems madness to even think people were saying that at the time. But they figured things out, went to some title games and won a Super Bowl. The Eagles have some talented players and a pretty good coach, so there is all the reason in the world to believe the Eagles could make it back to the Super Bowl soon.

For now, let's just hope they can beat the Cowboys when they play December 16th. That might take some of the sting out of the disappointment of a season that was rife with potential. Oh yeah - beating the overrated Giants next week would be a nice way to go as well!

It was great to attend the game, even with the crappy weather. The food was great. The drinks were great. And the company was great. I had a blast. Maybe next time I attend a game, I'll be able to celebrate a victory with my in-laws!

Fly, Eagles Fly!

Get Over Yourselves

Leave it to Yahoo's anonymous "NFL Rumors" columnist to take the Steelers to task for not having the National Anthem sung at Monday's Dolphins/Steelers borefest. I love this part - "according to the Denver Post" - in the article. What happened, Yahoo columnists don't have televisions? I don't have the access to sources the Denver Post has and I knew that "The NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to start their Monday Night Football game without the National Anthem."

Pathetic. Make your stupid rant and move on. Don't make it sound like the Denver Post broke a big time story. If the Post wants to make a mark in football journalism, they should investigate what happened to the Broncos defense and special teams coverage against the Bears.

Yahoo, stick to OMG columns and football articles by your named columnists. They're pretty good. This creditless crap serves no one. "Bad enough football has taken away all our free time in the fall and early winter. Now, it's going to take away our patriotism?" That's a bit melodramatic.

I love the sub-literate comments: "Pittsburg sucks" by the obviously super intelligent Kenny G. Anyone who knows this person, tell him that there is an "h" at the end of "Pittsburgh."

The deep-thinking Zman enters the fray: "This was a terrible decision by the NFL and the Steelers. Patriotism and tradition have nothing to do with weather conditions. Pittsburgh residents should be livid about this. It appears that each day, someone somewhere chips away at our foundation and moral fiber by eliminating something that has always represented the US and our citizens. For the sake of saving time, we forgo our National Anthem. Shame on the executives that made this decision."

Zman, thanks for showing me the light. I must wipe away the tears shed for the patriotism that has been forever sullied! Shame on me for having to read that "comment" and then callously inflicting it on others. For those who have now read the words in Zman's post, I apologize for the IQ points you lost and will never get back.

The amazing Dave G chimes in with this gem: "IN NEW ENGLAND WE HAVE THE SONG THE WEATHER AND THE PATRIOTS BABY 11-0 SCREW YOU HATERS AND DON SHULA IS A SENILE OLD FART ! GO PATRIOTS NATION!" Hmmm. Well said. I guess I can have the same lack of respect for Pats fans as I do for the Pats team. Could this comment be more ignorant?

I'd like to thank these three geniuses for these comments. I feel better about myself, knowing that no matter what dumb crap I write here...I am not writing anything more stupid than others are writing.

A final word from Yahoo's nameless dingbat: "The NFL hardly seemed worthy of its red, white and blue insignia colors by canceling America's most honorable song so the show could on two minutes less late."

Boo hoo. Now America's enemies have truly won, haven't they? This great nation has fallen to pieces, and this is the straw that broke the camel's back. I'll see you all on the bread lines.

Alan M and Gord both had a more sensible perspective:

Alan M: "Listening to some knucle head singing a our song in the middle of a stadium makes you a Patriot? So, if they sang it twice does that make you twice the patroit? Sad,Sad,Sad."

Gord: "OH MY GOD THEY DIDN'T SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!! LETS CANCEL THE REST OF THE SEASON!!!"

A little sarcasm goes a long way. Thanks for being realistic. Bet they both know about the "h."

Not a total loss

Okay, so there are some positives to be taken from the Steelers win over Miami. Willie Parker went over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season. Not bad for a guy that was believed to be too small to be a useful NFL back. Now the Steelers just need to get him into the end zone more often.

Hines Ward caught nine passes for 88 yards and appears to be back to form after missing two games. That's good, as the Steelers will need this guy if they're going to make a playoff push.

Speaking of playoffs - the win, no matter how ugly, keeps them a game ahead of the resurgent Browns. I'm glad the Browns are good again. I think the NFL is better when the Steelers and Browns are good at the same time. And Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel deserves another couple of years. He wasn't given much when he took over the Browns.

Next up, Cincinnati. With any luck, they'll regress a bit from this past week, and the Steelers will play the kind of good games they played before they met the Jets.

Stillers 3, Dolphins 0

What a scintillating game. Non-Stop action! Yeesh. Two pathetic games in a row. The only good things to say: They got the win and no injuries.

It's a good thing the Stillers have already beaten the Browns twice, otherwise I'd wonder whether or not they can win the division. I sure hope they have better games in them than these last two. Now Steelers fans should be concerned about the Bengals (not Santa) comin' to town next week. They may be 4-7, but they just finished beating the oil derricks out of the Titans.

Well, five games to go with Cincy, the Undefeateds, Jacksonville, St. Louis and Baltimore still to go. Two weeks ago, I'd have said the Steelers would win 4 of these 5 games. Now I'm not so sure. Let's hope they have a good game to spring them forward. They'll need all the momentum they can get for their December 9th game.

Fins & Pats: Pursuit of Perfection

So the Patriots are going to go 16-0. Good for them. I'd rather this did not happen - as I dislike them intensely - but it will be good in one regard. We'll hear no more about those chowderheads from the 1972 Dolphins. Pride is one thing Fin guys, but you're really annoying.

And on the other side of that coin is the pursuit of perfection being chased by the 2007 Dolphins. Wouldn't it be ironic that 25 years after the aforementioned '72 Dolphins set the standard for perfection, that the current Fin team may set the dubious standard for imperfection? And that they'd do it in the same season that another team topped the undefeated mark?

Let's hope the Steelers aren't in a giving mood like they were last Sunday. Still can't believe they lost to the Jets. Oh, the humanity...

Oh Please...

What's up with this Devin Hester love fest? It's amazing that he has been able to run so many punts and kickoffs back for touchdowns. But it's also pathetic. He's a professional football player, right? And the coverage team chasing after him are professionals as well, correct? Then tackle him!

Instead, we get oohs and aahs from the broadcast team acting as though they've never seen anything like this before. Like they just discovered the New World. C'mon - where's the reaction of "I can't believe Denver allowed this to happen! They ARE a pro team, aren't they?"

And the discussion of kicking away from him is absurd. You're a pro football team. Stop him. What are you going to do? Kick out of bounds on every kickoff in a Chicago game? Surrender field position and allow them to start at the 40 every time? Stop him!! Teams should kick right to him and make it a matter of pride to stop him. They should be embarrased every time he gains a yard.

And as for the Patriots and running up the score? If you don't want that to happen...stop them. And if you can't do that, do what players of the 60s and 70s would have done. There was no toleration for things like that then. The players policed themselves. This kinder, gentler NFL is for the birds.

Continuing on the Patriots for a mo, I don't recall seeing Mike Vrabel being put into the game on offense last night. I wonder if Philly would have put somebody on him if that did happen? What is up with that? I hope NFL teams have learned now that if Vrabel is in the game on offense, somebody better cover him.

And it was humorous when Junior Seau was in the game as a fullback. The announcer pointed out that Lawrence Mulroney followed him right into the pile. Except for the fact that he didn't. He was at least one lineman away from Seau on the play.

Offended Iggles?

If the Eagles were offended by the point spread, as they should have been, then the result of the New England Cheaters/Eagles game is no surprise. Good for the Eagles.

They didn't assume defeat before the game started and they sacked Brady a few times and got his dress a little dirty. The Eagles also managed to do some great passing against the Pats. I don't think they would have done so well with McNabb in there. Maybe that absence was a blessing. I guess now we'll have to deal with his mother and him crying on the Philly sports channels all week.

Too bad - I wasn't even going to watch the game, and now I am so glad I did. I just wish the Eagles had come up with a few more great plays. Maybe the NFC isn't as bad as people say.

22-point favorites

What on Earth? How can a professional football team be favored by 22 points? And yet, with the Patriots, is this really surprising? I'm sad to have to say that the Eagles may lose by more than 22 when it's all said and done. Is 52-17 out of the question?

And now we're hearing that McNabb may not start. I am not sure if Eagles fans will really miss him once he's in Minnesota or Chicago next season. Bet they wish they had Jeff Garcia now. A lot less expensive and a lot less drama. And better results, if the end of the 2006 season is any indication.

And before you Eagle fans get all defensive, I've already predicted that the Stillers will get clobbered. My hope is that Baltimore will beat the Patriots up a bit before the Stillers game. If there's one team you better respect, it's the Ravens. I don't think Ray Lewis will take kindly to any offense running up the score on his defensive unit. I'll only say this once in a blue moon - Go Ravens!

A Steeler History Lesson; 16-0

Still no idea what happened in the Meadowlands. How could they have lost that game? It wasn't on TV in my area, so I didn't see any of it. Probably a good thing. Who can figure this team out? Is any other Steeler fan reminded of the 2001 season?

Pittsburgh was rolling along (they were 13-3 that year), winning games in the typical Steeler style. Not killing anyone, but getting the wins. Then came that Minnesota game when they gave up 300+ passing yards to Todd Bauman (200) and Daunte Culpepper (140) and almost lost. If not for a late fourth quarter, 20 or so yard Bettis run on third down, they might have lost that game.

Then, came the loss in Cincinnati (they were 6-10 in 2001), when the Steelers allowed the Bengals to block a field goal and then to return it for a score! Still with me?

The season ended with that horrible 24-17 loss to the Patriots. This was the game that propelled the Pats to their first Super Bowl win. You know, after the fumble (and it was a fumble and Brady knew it, as indicated by his walking off the field with his head down) in the snow against Oakland the week before that was nullified by the 'tuck' rule? Remember this?

That game was lost by special teams. A punt return for a touchdown...and (refer to the Cincinnati game above) a blocked kick returned for a touchdown. Pittsburgh loses another title game.

Here are the important game stats:

First Downs: NE 15, Steelers 23
Total Net Yards: NE 259, Steelers 306
Kordell Stewart 24-42 for 255 yards, 3 INT, 0 TD
Tom Brady 12-18 for 115 yards, 0 INT, 0 TD, Drew Bledsoe 10-21 for 102 yards, 0 INT, 1 TD

How many times have we seen something like this? All the right numbers seemingly in the Steelers favor, but then there are some pivotal numbers (turnovers) that kill them. Turnovers and special teams.

I hope I am wrong. But I can't imagine a scenario where the Steelers beat the Patriots this year. Nor can I imagine that the Giants will either. So that means that I have joined the crowd of folks who believe that the Patriots will go 16-0 this year. That's emetic for me to admit.

I hope I'm wrong. But history is a strong indicator that I am not.

Why?

Why is Buffalo kicking field goals when they are down by 35 points? Do they think those three points might make the difference after they rattle off five unanswered touchdowns? Please. Is any NFL team planning to show up when playing the Patriots? And again, the question must be asked:

Why are Brady & Co. still in a game when they are leading by 32 points in the third quarter? Sooner or later, you have to think that karma will catch up to the Cheaters. Someone might get hurt - either inadvertently or intentionally.

Why doesn't the NFL just give the Cheaters the Lombardi trophy now? It's pretty clear that there is no team capable of beating them. And then we fans don't have to endure any more of these uncompetitive games.

An Update: It's now 56-10. Patriot games are unwatchable. I think the NFL should schedule another game whenever the Pats are on, so that when SUNY Buffalo shows up they can switch to another game.

Pittsburgh 16, NY Jets 19

You've got to be kidding me! The Steelers should be 10-0 this year! Why can't they put away lousy teams? Losses to Arizona, Denver and now the Jets?

Should I expect them to lose to the Dolphins next week? And why did Parker only gain 52 yards rushing? What is wrong with this team? I think the experts may have to look for another team to knock off the Patriots now. Who could pick the Steelers for that after this performance?

I hope the Bills find the fortitude the Steelers obviously do not possess and beat the snot out of the cheating Patriots.

Am I Evil?

Is it wrong that I revel in the Barry Bonds indictment? It probably is. But I am not alone. I'm sure there are people all over the US preparing their own asterisks for this guy. It's too bad this didn't happen 10 home runs ago. Or better yet, 200.

And after poor Mr. Bonds was 'fired' by the Giants (his word) for all of his All-Star selections...Or was it for all the MVP awards....or was it for all the Gold Gloves he won (are there any qualifications for winning one of these??!)...

Nah, it might have been due to the controversy surrounding him. Or the exhoribitant amount of money required to retain such a mercurial and troublesome talent. Maybe it was because he was...hmmm...let's just say...not very well-liked.

Unbeatable?

So I keep hearing on ESPN that the Stillers are the best shot the football fan (and the increasingly irritating 1972 Dolphins) have of beating the nigh invincible Cheaters (I mean Patriots) this season.

I wish they (the so-called experts) would just shut up. The Stillers have enough to worry about. Like not playing down to the Jets level this Sunday like they did in unexplainable losses to Phoenix and Denver! The Stillers should be 9-0 too!

I just hope the Rooneys hire a security team to check for cameras in the Cheaters' possession!

Yeah, another sports blog!

So here I am, a Steelers fan in South Jersey! It's true that we're all over the place.

During baseball season, I am a Phillies fan. I was a Pirates fan until about 1992, when ownership decided that they were not going to invest any more money into the team. But we can cover that more near April.

It's football season now - and the greatest team in the history of football is 7-2, heading into a game with the New Jersey Jets. Should be a fun one.

And coming off a wild, scintillating win over the great rival Browns. They (the Browns, I mean) look like they'll be tough in the coming years. Brady who?