STEELERS UPSET BALTIMORE HATERS BEHIND 3rd STRING CHARLIE BATCH

After an 8-turnover disaster in Cleveland that left the Steelers season on the brink of destruction last week--this week Charlie Batch led Pittsburgh to a stunning 23-20 upset victory over the Baltimore Haters that has resurrected the post-season prospects for the black-and-gold.

"I love you man". . .
"I know". . .
"Did you just Solo me?"

This game may very well have been Batch's Swan song, as Big Ben Roethlisberger is likely to be back in action next week against the San Diego Chargers, and who knows how many opportunities a 37-year old 3rd string QB will get to start again.  Nonetheless, if this was Batch's last start, it will long be remembered in Steeler Nation.  In fact--this may well be the game that saved the season--or even THE game of the season.

Batch brought the Steelers back from deficits of 13-3 and 20-13, completing 25 of 36 passes for 276 yards and a game-tying touchdown pass with 7:29 to go in the fourth quarter.  And then on the last possession of the game, Batch led Pittsburgh on a 61-yard drive that resulted in a 42-yard game-winning field goal kick by Shaun Suisham as time expired.

"Despite all the dumbfuckery--we somehow managed to win this game" -- Pat Johnston, Michigan Bureau of Steeler Nation.

The Steelers suffered from their own incompetence most of the day, turning the ball over three times--each with drastic effect.  After the Steelers had gained some momentum with a Ryan Clark interception of a Joey Fluke-o lob-ball that gave Pittsburgh possession at mid-field--on the very next play--Todd Haley called for a reverse wide receiver pass.  Antonio Brown made an ill-advised pass attempt across the field that was easily picked off by the Ravens, who promptly scored the game's first touchdown for a 13-3 lead with 3:16 to go before halftime.

While Pittsburgh responded with a field goal drive to cut the Ravens lead to 13-6 before half, the Steelers missed a golden opportunity to tie the score when Batch failed to connect with a lonely Mike Wallace in the end zone.

But, the grand-daddy of all dumbfuckery on the day occurred in the third quarter when Batch hit Emmanuel Sanders in stride at mid-field as he sped past the entire Baltimore secondary for a certain touchdown--except that Sanders FUMBLED THE BALL WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED.  The Ravens recovered of course--and promptly converted the turnover into a touchdown, and a 20-13 lead.


However, dumbfuckery wouldn't define the day for Pittsburgh.  James Harrison forced a Joey Fluke-o fumble at the 27-yard line that allowed the Steelers to tie the game at 20-20 when Batch passed to Heath Miller for a touchdown.

And what a day (and season) for Miller?!  Heeeeath caught 5 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.  For the season, Miller leads the team with 7 touchdown receptions and his 613 receiving yards is only 3 behind  Mike Wallace for the team lead in that category.

Shaun Suisham is also quietly putting together a remarkable season for Pittsburgh, making 24 of 25 field goal attempts (including nine 40+ yarders).  His only miss was from 54 yards out earlier this year.

Other good news--Troy Polamalu and Antonio Brown were back in action for Pittsburgh!  And, the Steeler Face Family watched its first game together in Cincinnati while 'Skyping' with Pat and Heather of the Michigan Bureau.

Baltimore sucks!

What a blow for the Ravens, who could have clinched the AFC North Division with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday.  Instead, the Ravens lost AT THEIR HOME to the Steelers 3rd string QB.  Moreover, 3rd-stringer Batch clearly outplayed Joey Fluke-o who only completed 16 of 34 attempts for 188 yards.

Looking ahead . . .

While the Ravens (9-3) still enjoy a two game lead over the Steelers and Bungles (each 7-5) in the AFC North, Baltimore has a difficult schedule ahead with RG3 and the resurgent Washington Redskins (6-6) next week, followed by the Denver Broncos (9-3) and Peyton Manning, the defending Super Bowl Champion N.Y. Giants (7-5), and Cincinnati Bengals (7-5).

Meanwhile, the Steelers remaining schedule consists of the San Diego Chargers (4-8), Dallas Cowgirls (6-6), Cincinnati Bungles (7-5) and Cleveland Brownie-Elves (4-8) -- with three of those four games at Heinz Field.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!