Defense not so bad; offense is so good: Steelers beat Jets 27-10

BREAKING NEWS: The Steeler defense is not so sucky as feared in its season opening loss at Denver last week.  This week, with Ryan Clark back (and Troy Polamalu and James Harrison out) the Steeler defense was able to get off the field enough times to win a football game -- and they even sacked the Jets quarterback . . . TWICE . . . including the last play of the game, resulting in the first blaring rendition of "Renegade" this season.  "The jig is up, the news is out, we finally have a D . . ."

The real stars of the game were on the Steelers' offense.  Big Ben was in classic form, completing 24 of 31 passes for 275 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.  Down 6-10, Roethlisberger directed an 8:32 drive that resulted in a 1-yard TD pass to Heath Miller with a minute to go before half-time, putting Pittsburgh up 13-10 at intermission.

"60 minutes" man Mike Wallace had 5 receptions
and 74 yards receiving, including this TD

Midway through the third quarter Big Ben heaved a 37-yard pass to Mike Wallace in the end zone, and the receiver made a spectacular effort to keep his toes in bounds for another Steeler TD and a 20-10 lead for Pittsburgh. 

Isaac Redman added a 2-yard TD run with 3:34 to go in the game, which capped off a 10:02 minute drive and put the contest out of reach at 27-10.  Kudos to Todd Haley's ball-control offense!  The Steelers converted 8 of 15 third down opportunities, out gained the Jets 331-219 in total offensive yardage, and beat New York in time of possession, 33:36 to 23:24.  If I wasn't a Steelers fan, I'd dare they made it easy to today.  The five Southern Comfort soaked cherries (one consumed after each Pittsburgh score) did, however, make it easy to smile.

*My only quibble with Haley's offense is the Redman/Dwyer two-headed situation that is creating headaches for my fantasy team, as each had 12 carries.

The Steeler offense did have to settle for two early FGs, but Shawn Suisham nailed a pair of 45-yarders, which is no easy feat (just ask the New England Cheatriots kicker who badly missed a 42-yarder as time expired in a home loss to the Arizona freaking Cardinals . . . blah-ha-ha-ha!)

Santonio Holmes is commemorated
in this mini-Fat Head that adorns my
apartment door in Cincinnati

Steeler Nation may need to temper some of the enthusiasm for the  defensive effort today.  Although, Pittsburgh pitched a shut-out in the second half, it should be noted that Shonn Greene was knocked out of the game in the first half.  And, the Jets did move down field in less than 5 minutes on their first drive of the game, resulting in a 14-yard touchdown reception by former Steeler, Santonio Holmes.

At 1-1, Pittsburgh is now tied with the Baltimore Haters and Cincinnati Bungles in the AFC North (the Brownie Elves are in a 'league-of-their-own at 0-2).  Steeler fans were treated to a nice pre-game treat as the Haters dropped a 24-23 decision to Philadelphia (despite Joey Flacco's magic eyebrow).  

Next up, the Steelers travel to Oakland to face the Pirates of the Caribbean . . .