New TV set and different viewing location helps Steelers win at Cincy and jinxes Ravens

42" screen, LCD, 1-0 record showing the Steelers

After the Steelers' disappointing loss to Baltimore last Sunday, a new TV set and different viewing location (the basement, rather than the living room) was required to help rally the team, and rally them it did.  As precisely predicted by the Steeler Face, Pittsburgh knocked off the Bungles in Cincinnati, 24-17.

William Gay, who was burned by Flacco's game-winning TD pass with seconds to go last week, redeemed himself against the Bungles with an interception late in the fourth quarter as Andy Dalton was trying to repeat Flacco's feat.  Pittsburgh's offense was able to hold on to the ball and run out the clock, sealing the win.

The Steelers jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions, while forcing Cincy to go three-and-out on its first two.  For a few happy moments it looked like Pittsburgh might actually run away with it, but the never-make-it-easy Steelers rarely do.  Dalton tossed a touchdown pass to double-covered A.J. Green as Polamalu uncharacteristically stood by and watched to cut Pittsburgh's lead to 14-7.

Then, Heath Miller (who was probably suffering from a concussion after absorbing a brutal helmet-to-helmet collision that of course wasn't called because he's a Steeler) caught a pass from Big Ben and then tossed it to a nearby Cincy defender like it was an early Christmas gift.  That led to a Bungle field goal, and a 14-10 score.

Pittsburgh responded with another impressive scoring drive that culminated with Cotchery hauling in his second touchdown grab of the game and what should have been a 21-10 Steeler lead before halftime.  But, NO!  Pass interference call was inexplicably called on Heath Miller.  So, no touchdown.  Instead Pittsburgh had to settle for a 17-10 halftime lead.  To say that was a shitty call on Miller is truly an insult to shit.  I've become rather accustomed to Steeler-hating by officials, but this was completely off the hook.

Early in the third quarter it looked like Pittsburgh might start to unravel.  Roethlisberger was getting sacked (5 times by games end), and Cincy tied the score at 17-17.  Thankfully, the Steelers were able to rely on an apt running game today as Rashard Mendenhall scored his second touchdown of the day, which put Pittsburgh ahead 24-17.

Mendenhall scores two TDs and nearly averages 3 yards-per-carry

The Steeler defense, which couldn't even spell "turnover" before Sunday managed two interceptions in the fourth quarter to stall the Bungles and preserve the lead.  Once again, Cincy fans, who were teeming with misguided optimism that their beloved Bungles might win a meaningful game against the Steelers were left with that familiar glazed look of disappointment.  And if you were excited that the Steelers won their first divisional game of the year, wait to you read this . . .

It's true, this team [the Ravens] has no dick

Simply said: Baltimore can't handle winning.  The Ravens have beaten their hated rivals, the Steelers, twice this year: 35-7 on opening day and 23-20 last week.  Each win gave the Haters control of the North Division and their own fate, if only they would accept it.  But each time, they have responded with a shocking loss to an inferior opponent, and thus handing their hard fought advantage back to Pittsburgh.  During Week 2 the Ravens lost to the TenneWho Titans (a team the Steelers would later destroy 38-17).  And today, the Ravens lost 22-17 at Seattle (a team the Steelers shutout in Week 2, 24-0).  No shit, the Steelers are back in first place of the AFC North:

Team          Overall          Division
Steelers        7-3               1-2
Haters          6-3               2-0
Bungles         6-3               1-1
Brownie Elves   3-6               0-1 

Pittsburgh will now look forward to its bye week, and watching the Bungles travel to Baltimore next Sunday.  At best, for the Steelers, these two teams could tie, which would allow Pittsburgh to control its own fate for the Division title.  Otherwise, the Steelers could hope for a Cincy win, since Pittsburgh now has a slight edge in head-to-head competition against the Bungles, while it has lost the season series with Baltimore.  The Steelers won't be back in action until prime-time on Sunday night in Kansas City (4-5) on November 27th.