A win is a win. We've heard it time and time again and there really isn't a more truthful phrase in all of sports. The Steelers certainly didn't look spectacular in their 23-20 nail-biter over the Colts, but the fact remains that they are now 2-1 and tied for first place in the AFC North. Let's take a look back at the Steelers game and go around the NFL.
STEELERS 23, Colts 20
- I feel like people are a little too down on the Steelers. They've struggled somewhat. I get it. But they're 2-1 and have 13 games to get their act together. In any case, their defense has looked good and that was everyone's concern coming into the year, so can we give them a little credit?
- Bruce Arians further proved his ineptitude by not utilizing personnel the way they needed to be. Ben Roethlisberger played a sub par game for what we've been accustomed too and it was because Johnathan Scott couldn't stop Dwight Freeney. Heath Miller was hardly used for blocking on the left side. I could understand if he was at least reeling in quick passes to help Ben out, but no. Arians really doesn't have a clue. And the Steelers will still win a dozen games somehow...
- Why can't the Steelers run?I truly think it has more to do with Rashard Mendenhall than the offensive line. Especially when Isaac Redman has looked fairly solid thus far, and Mewelde Moore did pretty well in late action Sunday night. Mendenhall is far more talented than he's showing, but for now I'd use more Redman until Mendenhall gives Mike Tomlin a reason not to.
- Mike Wallace's quest for 2,000 yards isn't looking all that farfetched. It's hard to imagine he'll get there being that no one ever has, but wouldn't it be something. With Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller, and hopefully Jerricho Cotchery to throw to, who's to say he won't at least get the opportunity.
- Another week, another solid showing by Ike Taylor and the boys. William Gay even looked like a satisfactory cornerback the last two weeks. If they keep playing like they are, the Steelers will be in great shape for the remainder of the season.
- The Steelers could use the Troy Polamalu that we saw against the Colts. He was an absentee safety the last couple of weeks, but I think he may be ready to earn that nice contract he got right before the season.
Around the NFL
- Is there anybody who doesn't think Curtis Painter should be starting for the Indianapolis Colts? He didn't really outplay Kerry Collins, but it seemed like there was pep in the Colts step when he entered the game. I'm still not ready to count this team out just yet if they make the switch, but they MUST win this week.
- Can we go ahead and proclaim the San Francisco 49ers the worst 2-1 team in football? I guess right now they're probably the NFC West favorites, but with all of the weapons they have on offense, they should be able to score more than they do. With Michael Crabtree back soon, maybe they will, but I think we may be closer to seeing Colin Kaepernick , than seeing this offense improve.
- And it's official! The Buffalo Bills are legit! And it's about time, because I could use seeing those jerseys for a few extra weeks in January. Besides that, I'm gonna go ahead and pat myself on the back for believing in Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson, and Stevie Johnson. These guys are stars. The defense is bad, but the Bills upgraded a lot more than I thought on offense by dropping Lee Evans and utilizing David Nelson, Donald Jones, and Scott Chandler the way they have.
- Are the New England Patriots as good as everyone thinks? Of course not. But even this loss in a game they should have won (they were up 21-0) will be overlooked because everyone has jumped onto the back of the Buffalo Bills bandwagon. The Patriots probably will win the division, but who really cares? Their dynasty is long over (unless they find a new way to cheat).
- How about the Miami Dolphins for worst team so far? Tony Sparano has coached about as badly as anyone possibly could. I think he may even be coaching himself out of a head coaching job ever again. There's no way he isn't the first casualty.
- Well, Philadelphia Eagles fans are giving up on their team already, so I probably should do the wise thing and proclaim them the team to beat in the NFC. I can't do that and believe it though. They aren't that good and by the time they get it going there's a possibility it will be too late. More now, I'll still keep them as my NFC East champions, but they better get it going really quickly... and learn how to play without Mike Vick. The dream team's secondary was supposed to be the strong point of this team? Uh oh...
- The Jacksonville Jaguars figured out how to stop Cam Newton: Play in a downpour. It's funny that once the rain stopped, the Panthers were the much better team. Newton's pretty darn good.
- Anyone think the Houston Texans aren't the same old Texans? I kind of want to see them make the playoffs, just for the sake of them finally getting there. I mean it's almost been a decade for goodness sake. They have as good a shot as ever to make it, but if they lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Indianapolis Colts can get a win, it's only a one game difference between the two still...
- The New Orleans Saints are pretty much the New England Patriots of the NFC. They have more offensive talent than they know what to do with. But they ain't stopping anyone. They're going to lose their fair share and if they don't tighten up at least a little bit, they won't go far in January.
- Anyone else think the Tennessee Titans have a shot at the AFC South crown? The Houston Texans showed how they can be beat. Just score on them. I realize Kenny Britt is down for the year, but the rapport between Matt Hasselbeck and Nate Washington has been pretty good. Not to mention, Chris Johnson isn't going to get shutdown every week. Regardless of your answer, you have to admit they're not half bad.
- Count me out on the Detroit Lions still. I just can't see them being better than third in the division. The Minnesota Vikings haven't held a lead yet, so to think their win was an extraordinary comeback isn't completely accurate. Let me see their next two games before I change my mind.
- The San Diego Chargers still just aren't that good. Until Norv Turner is gone, I can't buy this team as a legitimate contender. To say I expected much more than a three point win against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs would be a lie.
- Matt Cassel refuses to take chances down the field. This strategy suits some quarterbacks well - Joe Flacco, Rex Grossman, Mark Sanchez - but those other quarterbacks know how to manage a game. Matt Cassel isn't capable of it without stars around him. Here's to hoping we'll see Tyler Palko get a shot at the NFL level.
- The Oakland Raiders have a chance to be the team they were last year. It makes sense, since there wasn't much change from a player standpoint, but I thought the coaching change would hurt. They haven;t skipped a beat yet though. I still don't see them as a contender, but playoff talk isn't ridiculous.
- The St. Louis Rams are 0-3 and look like they've regressed back to their 2008 form. They get six games against the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks. Those games will dictate what kind of team they are.
- The Chicago Bears trick play kickoff return was awesome. Why has nobody else ever thought of that? Still, they got beaten pretty good by the Green Bay Packers, and if they can't go into Lambeau later this year and win that football game, they don't have a shot at going anywhere.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season has been kind of interesting thus far. But then again, so has the Atlanta Falcons. These two teams need to figure out who they are and this was a good start for the Bucs.
- There is no way the Arizona Cardinals should have lost to the Seattle Seahawks. I don't care that it was in Seattle. That is a bad football team. I expect more out of a Ken Whisenhunt coached team.
- The Dallas Cowboys won, but I still like the Washington Redskins. They held the Cowboys to six field goals and Rex Grossman just did a little less than he needed to win. He'll correct that and this team will be okay.
Articles:
Steelers vs. Colts: 10 Observations from the Nailbiter Sunday Night Win
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