A win like this is why I was so frustrated with the Steelers and most fans following the loss to Tennessee. The team was better than they had played to that point in the season, they were 2-3 and a lot of folks were pretty much finished with any potential Steelers positivity. And then a nice little 2-game win streak happens, against a division foe and a sensational rookie. A timely Baltimore loss here and this 4-3 Steelers team has a season worth playing for with 2 games in 3 weeks against the suddenly-5-2 Ravens come November/December.
27-12 Steelers.
Offense clicking, defense rounding into form, running game REALIZED and oh lookie, the Steelers.
Ben: 24 of 33 for 222 yards and 3 TDs. Ben is really in some sorta zone. As much as we’ve trumpeted the guy in his career in Pittsburgh, there was always the lingering fear that Ben was about to throw some interception or he might fumble at some inappropriate time. This season, he’s been locked in on his receivers and is really producing at an astounding clip. Haley has Ben attempting more short passes, which keeps him grounded on the here and now. 4 of 5 motorcycle helmets.
Dwyer: There was much to be made about Dwyer coming out of camp from his teammates…that the back they hated going against most in drills was Jon Dwyer. The guy initiates contact in a bigtime way and keeps pumping the legs late in runs and late in the game when both he and his opponents are exhausted. Everyone is rushing to call him Jerome Bettis-like since he’s a bigger guy, and that’s something that any larger, agile back in Black and Gold will get. Dwyer might be that guy though. 107 yards after a 122 yard output for the Steelers’ first back-to-back 100 yard rushing games since Willie Parker in 2008. 4.5 of 5 helmets.
AB: 2nd called-back punt return TD for Anotnio Brown this season. Silly penalties. AB’s showboat was awesome, not sure why everyone rushed to get all annoying about it. via Deadspin:
5 of 5 motorcycle helmets for that awesome taunt.
Those unis: The best possible uniform to be worn during eventually-negated punt return TD taunts. 5 of 5 motorcycle helmets. Via by bud Benson at Benstonium:
They even made me bust out some Stryper at halftime:
Steelers at Giants next week, if NYC (and I in it) survives Hurricane Sandy.
(thanks to Doug for the banner pic)
