Steeler Face consults magic cussball for Steelers/Broncos forecast

The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin the 2012 regular season where the 2012 post season ended -- Denver.  Not to dwell on our misery, but that 29-23 loss in OT was officially declared the third worst in Steelers postseason history.  The Steelers secondary couldn't stop Tim Tebow in that game even if he were riding a taxi in a New York City traffic jam.  And, as predicted by the Steeler Face's magic cussball, Mike Tomlin's clock management was so poor that he couldn't call a timeout if it were a 1-800 number.

But a lot has changed since then for Denver, Pittsburgh, and the Steeler Face:

Denver exiled Tebow to the N.Y. Jets, despite his 316 passing yards and playoff win against the Steelers (that's how bad the Steelers' secondary played).  TV actor Peyton Manning, who sat out all of last year with Indy because of a neck injury is now the Broncos' QB.

For the Steelers, a lot more has changed.  The Bubble screen retired (or was fired) and replaced by Todd Haley.  Hines Ward also retired (after being cut), and other Steeler mainstays, including James Farrior and Aaron Smith are no longer in the NFL.  Antonio Brown is a lot richer and happier; and Mike Wallce isn't.  

Significant change has even come to the Steeler Face, who switched jobs over the summer, moving from Iowa to Ohio.

Back to the now, now -- since the magic cussball accurately predicted last season's demise in Denver the Steeler Face braved it again and foresees a national TV crew slobbering all over Manning; Steeler hating officiating; and a defense that hasn't really improved.  Thus, this contest will likely come down to Todd Haley not calling for a bubble screen and Mike Tomlin actually calling for a freaking time out when it is desperately needed.  That is -- there is simply too much uncertainty.

The Steelers' offense doesn't really seem to be in sync (save Big Ben's 99-yard TD march at the end of the second quarter of a pre-season game at Bluffalo) and the defense is still too questionable.  Nontheless, I see Pittsburgh pulling a 27-26 win out of the fire in a cuss-fest that will leave Steeler Nation with a slight hangover and the giggles on Monday morning.  Here we go Steelers, here we go!