STEELERS SHUT-OUT SEAHAWKS, AND THE RAVENS STILL SUCK

What a day for Steeler Nation, as the black-and-gold shut out Seattle 24-0, and the Baltimore Ravens showed once again that they're a bunch of over-hyped loud-mouthed ass clowns, losing 26-13 to the TenneWho Titans.

Jeff G., 11, reacts to Wallace's  TD  reception

The Steelers were eager to show the East Coast Media that they're not a bunch of geriatric has-beens.  Pittsburgh moved the ball early and often.  Big Ben connected with eight different receivers on the day, remembering something called a dump-off pass to running backs, and Antonio Brown remembered how to run pass routes.  Mike Wallace put up more excellent numbers  (8 catches, 126 yards and a memorable third quarter touchdown).  Brown had 67 yards receiving, plus a sparkling 41 yard punt return.  Hines Ward caught four passes for 33 yards, including a pass from WR Emmanuel Sanders (reminiscent of the one he hauled in from WR Antwaan Randle El in Super Bowl XL), and a remarkable tip-toe catch on the sidelines that would make Santonio Holmes proud.  This is the passing attack the Steelers showcased during the preseason.

The Steeler D looked sterling in pitching their first shut out since 2008 and sacking Tavaris Jackson five times. The Seahawks could muster only one sustained drive and that ended in a parade of sacks.  Yes, "Renegade" was well used by game's end.

Track 4 please

However, the game did offer a few moments of anxiety for the Steeler faithful.  The most tense occurred with three minutes remaining in the second quarter with the Steelers on the march near Seattle's goal line. Seattle pass rusher Raheem Brock slithered underneath the Steelers O-line and attempted to saw off Ben's right knee.  Amazing, the refs threw a flag on the play (AND NOT AGAINST THE STEELERS).  Roethlisberger had to leave the field, as Charlie Glass entered, and Steeler Nation held its breath.

 oh sh . . . . .

Unremarkably, Big Ben shrugged off the cheap shot, the painful injury and finished the game (not that he's an elite quarterback or anything -- I mean, he's no Joey Fluke-o).

Oh, and speak of Ravens!  Blah-ha-ha-ha-ha!  It took the Baltimore circus act just one short week squander the best opportunity they've had in years to take control of the AFC North.  Consider the following: The Ravens have been bounced out of the playoffs twice in the past three years by their hated rivals, the Steelers.  In 2008 the Ravens lost all three meetings to Pittsburgh, as the Steelers came from behind to take both regular season games (including a week 15 contest that decided the the division title), and finally the AFC championship.  In 2010 the Ravens blew another late fourth quarter lead against Pittsburgh that cost them the division, and then threw away a 21-7 half time lead in an AFC divisional playoff loss to the Steelers.  Finally, the Ravens catch a break and beat the Steelers in convincing fashion in week 1 and have their best opportunity to control the division . . . and then they turnaround and lose to freaking Tennessee by double-digits.  The Ravens couldn't keep their mouths shut, and couldn't keep the lead.  Classic.