Martino's is also known as the 'happiest sports bar in Cincinnati' because it shows every Steelers game and features delicious Pittsburgh-style Italian food. When the proprietor stopped by my barstool as a I finished my fried eggplant hoagie (known as "The Capisci") prior to kick off, I thanked him for the great food and outstanding atmosphere.
"When Steeler fans tell me they like the food here," he said, "I don't really take it as a compliment." It's true that we come here for the football, but we really do appreciate the good food and Iron City beer too!
Speaking of Iron City beer, I needed a few IC Lights to stomach seeing the Steelers in those ridiculous throwback uniforms with the horizontal stripes and boxed numbers. When the Steelers came onto the field, Martino's erupted in applause before someone grumbled aloud: "those unis are worse than the throwbacks the Broncos wore a couple years ago."
'Worse than the Broncos' doesn't even cut it. These are either the worst uniforms, or worst freaking uniforms EVER!
Despite the digs, the Steelers did come to play football taking the opening possession 76 yards on 12 plays and a touchdown. Pittsburgh elected to go for it on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line and Big Ben used a play action pass to find something called a "fullback" (in the name of Leonard Pope) in the end zone for a score -- 7-0 Steelers. An outstanding play call by Todd Haley.
Two of Big Ben's three TDs on the day went to "fullbacks" while the other went to tight end Heeeeeath Miller. The Steelers boasted leads of 10-0, 20-6 at halftime, and 27-9 in the third quarter and looked in control throughout the game.
In fact, a run defense appeared to have surfaced in Pittsburgh, prompting this writer to text words he had never used before in describing the defensive effort: "zero tolerance!"
Steeelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is now 15-1 against rookie QBs since returning to Pittsburgh in 2004. RG3 -- meet the Steeler D.
The Steelers secondary was even good today with #23 and #26 breaking up several pass plays. "Rod . . . is that you?" -- I thought (or maybe it was the IC Light talking). Even Ike Taylor was solid, as Steeler correspondent Pat asked via text message: "I thought it was league policy that Ike must get a PI [pass interference call] once a game"
And, Steven Jackson who? Prior to the game, TV analysts were reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers had checked with the St. Louis Rams about Steven Jackson's availability via trade. However, Jonathan Dwyer tried his best to put that interest to rest with another outstanding impersonation of the Bus. Dwyer ran 17 times for 107 yards, for his second consecutive game of 100+ rushing yards. Sadly, this was the first time since Fast Willie Parker did it in 2008 that the Steelers had a running back go for over 100 yards rushing in two consecutive games. That's right, Rashard Mendenhall has not done it.
Other random notes . . .
Shawn Suisham was kicking field goals on a hurt ankle, including a 48-yarder. Suisham is now 16 of 17 on the season.
We had one "Terrible Towel foul" at Martino's when a young lady neglected her towel and it fell on the floor. Of course, this was immediately spotted by another fan and rectified without further incident.
Big Ben is burning down the house! Another great game: 24 of 33 for 222 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs.
The Redskins punter had a 12-yard punt. Someone wondered if his husband punts too.
The Steelers had a spectacular punt return for a touchdown by Antonio Brown called back because of ANOTHER penalty. Had the punt not been called back for a penalty, Brown would have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, apparently because he ran the last 10-20 yards backwards. "Is there a rule that says you can't run in backwards!?" -- someone shouted before realizing the point was moot.
Injuries: Ryan Clark left with a concussion, Dwyer left with a groin injury, and Woodley left game with a hamstring injury. Sigh.
Now what?
The Steelers (4-3) now only trail the Baltimore Haters (5-2) by a single game in the AFC North, and Pittsburgh still gets to play them twice. If the season ended today, the Steelers would be tied with the Dolphins and Colts at 4-3 for the two Wild Card spots.
Remember that the Steelers were 3-4 to start the 1995 season, before they went on to win the AFC Championship that year and earn their first trip to the Super Bowl in 16 years. Even though the Steelers were only 2-3 to start this year, it is still possible to turn things around. Pittsburgh won 8 straight after that 3-4 start in 1995. Could they do it again?
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