The yinzer nation is mourning another loss as the Steelers lost in OT to Atlanta, 41-38 yesterday.  But let's admit it, this is one of the most wildly entertaining games we've seen in years, it just didn't turn out the way Steelers Nation would have liked.  So where do we point the first finger?  There's plenty of blame to go around for sure, but isn't it possible Pittsburgh just got beat by a team that was better that day on their home field?

Notable happenings:

• Ben Roethlisberger, beset on all sides by the tyranny of man, was knocked out of the game by a helmet to helmet blow from Chauncey Davis.  There was no flag thrown on the play, but Bill Cowher speculated after the game that the league may fine Davis.  It certaintly wasn't a cheap shot, in fact, it looked like Davis tried to go high on Big Ben but largely wiffed on it, mostly because Roethlisberger bailed out and threw the ball off his back foot anticipating the hit.
• Michael Vick, late of Briscoe High, had his best passing game as a pro, throwing 4 TDs, 3 to Alge Crumpler.  Vick basically won the game in OT, avoiding the Steelers blitz on a 3rd and 9 play, floating a ball to Crumpler for 26 yards.
• Hines Ward torched the Falcons for 171 yards on 8 catches and 3 TDs.  Isn't DeAngelo Hall supposed to be  the fastest guy in pads in the NFL?  How sad is it that not only did Ward smoke him on that 70 yard TD, but Hall couldn't catch him even after his shoe came off?
• Nate Washington, Hines Ward, and Santonio Holmes were flagged for a celebration penalty late in the first half…which is the 2nd time this year the Steelers have drawn such a flag.  After the first one, a few weeks ago against Cincy, Bill Cowher vowed it would never happen again.  Now Cowher looks like a fool and he's pretty much left unable to punish these guys.  I mean, he's not benching Hines Ward and without Washington, the Steelers are left with Sean Morey as their 4th wideout.  Yuck.
• In an unrelated note, my hatred for Mike Greenberg on ESPN was ratcheted up a notch today.  In the same breath this morning, he said that Peyton Manning is the greatest QB in history and Shawn Merriman is the best defensive player in the league.  I won't start about Peyton Manning, for which my disdain is no secret, but Merriman, who is reportedly being suspended by the league for a positive steroid test, is a different story.  Do I think he's a good player having a really good season with the potential to be great?  Sure.  Best player in league, umm, hmm, no?      

Similar Posts:

• Polamalu Blasts NFL, Calls It A Pansy Game
• Bill Cowher Wants To Spend Time With His Family, But Not That Much
• Steelers Week 16 Post Mortem: Baltimore

Tags: NFL

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.