Steelers 20, Packers 10

When I was in the Air Force Academy we once went on a navigation training flight. The plane was a military version of a 737 and the pilot showed us something that freaked us out - while flying level he suddenly went right full-rudder. The plane didn't budge. He then went from right full- to left full-rudder. Again, the plane didn't budge. The pilot explained to us that the reason that the Air Force used the 737 for navigation training was that it flew like a brick, but like a brick in motion it is incredibly hard to shake from its vector - an incredibly good trait for navigation training.

I was reminded of this little episode in my life by this game. We went right full-rudder with Charlie Batch as quarterback - no change in the offense. We went left full-rudder by switching out Fast Willie for Deuce - no change in the offense. So long as you don't do something really stupid - like reversing the engines mid-flight or throwing into quadruple coverage - the Steelers will grind out 20-30 points every game.

Charlie Batch had an interception on a miscommunication with Hines Ward and he took a sack off of a bad shotgun snap, but while he certainly didn't light up Lambeau Field with his passing proficiency, he also didn't lose the game for us. When you have The Bus, Deuce, and Fast Willie in the backfield and Hines Ward and Heath Miller as reliable receivers then the quarterback doesn't have to do much to keep the Steeler machine moving. Charlie did his job.

And Hines Ward about knocked some poor DB into next week while blocking for Deuce - we'll get his name next week when we catch up to him because he got JACKED UP.

Once again, the Steelers did what was necessary to win. Next up is the Cleveland Browns - we need to make a statement and there is no better team for the Steelers to use in that fashion than the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are coming off of a win and feeling pretty good about themselves - we'll have to come strong if we expect to change that for them.

Week 9 Newsletter