Bengals 28, Steelers 20

Self Destruction.

We're heading for self-destruction.

The Steelers beat the Bengals in every possible way - 27 first downs to 15, 365 total yards to 246, 195 yards passing to 159, 170 yards rushing to 87, 33:51 to 26:09 in time of possession - but the one category where it was essential that the Steelers put up a smaller number than the Bengals the Steelers topped the Bengals there too: 5 turnovers to 3.

And that has made all the difference.

The defense did a phenomenal job - pressuring and sacking Carson Palmer (18/26 193 yds, 4 TD, 2INT) frequently, stuffing and stymieing Rudi Johnson (19/47 yds), and knocking Chris Henry into next week. However, when the Steeler offense and special teams gave the Bengals the ball on the Steeler 30 and 9 yard line respectively one can only ask but so much of your defense. Big Ben was picked 3 times to kill scoring drives - one in the end zone - Verron Haynes fumbled when the Steelers were driving, and the hopefully-soon-to-be-cut Ricardo Colclough muffed a punt that resulted in the 9-yard Bengals touchdown drive that essentially sealed the game.

This game should have been 41-7 Steelers, and would have been if you take away the bone-headed turnovers - all the result of poor play by the Steelers. This is not the way to win Super Bowls, and Coach Cowher will have to right this ship in a hurry. The bye week comes just when the Steelers need to take stock of who they are and what they hope to achieve. Self-destruct against San Diego after the bye week and this season may be over for the Men of Steel.

Jaguars 9, Steelers 0

Tuesday morning found me as it often does, contemplating God’s goodness at the fact that I feel better than I did yesterday, despite the fact that I did nothing to deserve that blessing. I spent last night huffing and puffing in frustration as I watched a team in odd colors do to my team what I grew up watching my team do to other teams.

It is important to ignore the fact that the game was not truly over until…well until it was almost over.

When your offense cannot muster a rushing first down, you have been thoroughly beaten

When you do not cross the opposing teams forty yard line at ANY point, you have been served a fairly substantial helping of Whoopin.

When you make a habit of being near the top of the NFL in Rushing offense AND rushing defense, and then allow a team to nearly QUADRUPLE your rushing output, it is finally time to recognize the perpetual bulls-eye the Super Bowl XL championship banner hanging in Heinz Field has brought with it.

Jacksonville is a quality football team forged in the spirit of the its coach and the hard working blue-collar town it calls home. It found itself in the AFC championship game in its second year of existence, but labors in complete obscurity, its 12-4 season last year overshadowed at first by landmark seasons by the Colts and Bengals, and then finally by the Road Warrior run of the Steelers.

Add to that the coronation that was last week’s win in Pittsburgh and the Jaguars spared not the rod in welcoming the Steelers and their fans back to earth.

What now, you say? I direct you to the devotional. Whenever you find yourself on the receiving end of the best life has to give you…or in your particular case, the worst, wisdom is the best medicine.

Let not your heart be troubled, Steelers Faithful…into each life a little rain must fall.

You must bear the rain in September to reign in February.

Steelers 28, Dolphins 17

Boom baby!

The Steelers picked up where they left off last season - stuffing the run, sacking the quarterback, intercepting passes, and executing Ken Whisenhunt's offense to perfection. Outside of a goal-line fumble that cost the Steelers a touchdown, Charlie Batch (15-for-25 for 209 yards) ran the offense well in Big Ben's stead.

The Black-Eyed P's made themselves known to the Dolphins this evening. Willie Parker rushed 29 times for 115 yards - much of it between the tackles - while J Peezy had three tackles, two sacks, and an interception which he returned for a touchdown. Troy Polamalu also had 9 tackles and a perfectly-played pick. The wideouts Ward and Washington had wonderful games, and Heath Miller put up 101 yards receiving, including a touchdown catch that wasn't - Heath was out of bounds on the 1 yard line but it was ruled a touchdown. Dolphins' coach Nick Saban waited too long to throw his challenge flag and the referees didn't see it until the extra point had been kicked.

He who hesitates is lost.

Next up for the Steelers are the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars beat a Dallas team that is expected to seriously contend for the NFC chamionship, so the Steelers will need to play Steeler football for a full 60 minutes - ball control offense with a suffocating defense.

HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!