Good Enough to Win is Good Enough

Steelers (2-0) 10, Browns (0-2)6

The Steelers defied the lake effect wind and an improved Cleveland team Saturday night, to move into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

Willie Parker rushed for over 100 yards (28 for 105) for the second consecutive game, and Ben Roethlisberger turned in another efficient performance completing 12 of 19 passes for 186 yards and touchdown to Hines Ward.

The Steelers defense held the Browns to 53 yards rushing on 25 attempts. Cleveland's offense could only muster 208 total yards.

It may not have been the 49-12 apocalypse I predicted, bad weather has a way of leveling the playing field, I don't think these teams are as close as the score indicated.

The Browns Again's defense could not come up with a stop when it needed one late in the game. Derek Anderson did not make the clutch plays his team needed.

Not that I agree with the decision, but I see the logic behind Crennel taking the 3 points when they were in range with three timeouts, and over three minutes left. The poor timeout and clock management on display in the waning moments of both halves, however, was dumbfounding.

When the Browns got the ball back with 26 seconds left, needing two deep completions, Kellen Winslow was not on the field, interesting.

Ben Roethlisberger allegedly played with a separated shoulder. What a show of faith in an unproven offensive line, which has exhibited solid, yet unspectacular, play through two weeks. I don't know for certain, but it has to be his non-throwing shoulder that's supposedly separated.

I'm not a fan of the term, "statement game". The logic behind it does not satisfy me in the least, inferring only certain games allow for "statements", whereas one could argue all games tell us something therefore all games are "statement games", thus the cliché should be abolished. However, if the Browns were trying to "make a statement" about their final position in this season's AFC North standings, it would read, "second place."

The offense should benefit from playing in calmer conditions against a defensively deprived Philadelphia team next week.

If I were a Browns fan:

I'd be calling for Crennel's head, and for Brady Quinn. Who needs stability at QB and head coach anyway? There is no justification for the play calling at the end of the first half which resulted in Troy Polamalu's second interception in two games, and the coach played scared by kicking a field goal down seven late in the game.

Mission Impossible: The 2008 Steelers Schedule. Much has been said about the daunting schedule for this year's Steelers team. How much of that is warranted? Let's take a look at how the Steelers opponents fared this week.

PHILLY (1-1) 37, DALLAS (2-0) 41 The BCS says, the Browns are eighteen points worse than the Cowboys, therefore the Cowboys are 14 better than Pittsburgh (BCS does not take weather into account) thus the Eagles are 10 points better than Pittsburgh? Phooey! This is how the Big Ten send teams to national title games. Next week will be a fantastic game to watch. When he's not playing the Steelers, I'm a McNabb supporter; I remember when Philly fans booed him when he was drafted instead of Ricky Williams. Neither of these teams appear to play defense at all, the Steelers pay defense very well. I bet the Eagles are a slight favorite at home for next week. I can't stand 99% of Philadelphia fans, they know nothing about everything, and aren't afraid to let everyone know it.

BALTIMORE (1-0): SURPRISE HURRICANE BYE WEEK As if the Gulf coast hasn't had enough problems. The Texans should be happy they weren't forced to play a home game in Baltimore, or that they weren't scheduled to play the Giants or jets this week, and had the home game moved to the away team's home field so the league could make more money.

JACKSONVILLE 16 (0-2) BUFFALO 20 The Jaguars offensive line resembles the Steelers' last season, and suddenly Garrard looks average, good thing they have a capable back up in Byron Left..... It looks like the Bills are the team in the AFC East no one wants to play right now, I'm not upset they aren't on the Steelers schedule.

I THINK SOMEONE HAS PICKED THE STEELERS TO LOSE DURING THEIR BYE WEEK.

CINCY (0-2) 7, TENNESEE (2-0) 24 The Bengals are still irrelevant. The Titans defense is fantastic, and I'm a Kerry Collins fan (he needs a few). The Titans are still stuck with a chronic underachiever who may or may not be a head-case, and an over the hill backup. Too bad the Steelers Titans game on Dec. 21st won't take place in a snowstorm in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defense has a bigger edge over the Titans defense than the Titans defense may have over Pittsburgh's offense.

GIANTS (2-0) 41, RAMS 13

If the Rams can score 13 against the Giants, NY is in trouble.

WASHINGTON (1-1) 29, Saints 24. Campbell will lose more games with his arm than he wins, this was an exception. I could be wrong. Randel El, deserves better. Redskins are tough, but still allowed 24 points to a team with David Patten as its go to WR.

COLTS (1-1) 18, VIKINGS 15 Indy's is battling with the Jags to see who can win the most games before their offensive line gets healthy. Peyton Manning is good, the Colts defense is unlikely to be compared to the '76 Steelers.

SAN DIEGO (0-2) 38, DENVER 39. What a game this one was. I'm glad I was forced to watch the end of the Pats Jets game (which consisted of Matt Cassell kneeling three times) instead of getting to watch more of what will probably be known as the most exciting game this season. . The Chargers really got hosed by the refs., but the Broncos still made the plays to score and take the lead with the 2-pointer. SD is probably the best 0-2 team in the league, losing two games by a total of three points. However, their defense has allowed 64 points in two games.

N.E. (2-0) 19, NY Jest 10. The New York isn't that good, the Pats are now a boring, run-first team without a superstar QB. Patriots defense is still solid, but aging. I say make a play for Randy Moss at the deadline. Buffalo wins this division.

Opponents record: 12-11 Winning %: .522

Still tough and still very early, but four wins vs. the Bengals and Ravens are chickens worth counting now; a low estimate of .500 ball the rest of the way would result in 11-5 and a division crown. The Steelers would be battle tested and ready to go in the playoffs. Stay Healthy.

Go Steelers!



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