In his defense. the Browns defense (the one which CRUSHED Cinci the last time) didn’t show up today, The good Andy Dalton showed up, as opposed to the bad AD last time. It’s gonna be a learning curve for him. Don’t count him out on today’s poor performance.
I didn’t watch the game, but Dalton’s stat line (14 for 24 for 114 yards, 0 td’s, 1 interception, a 53.6 passer rating) was not in the least bit impressive. He may not have been bad, but good? Nope.
It’s been a crazy season but if the Steelers win they are in. Let’s go Steelers!!
Let’s go Steelers!
No Polamalu, no Ike - hate to say it but they may be better without them. Matt Spaeth is out as well, that’s a big one for the ground game. I think they’ll have to play Mike Adams as a TE to compensate.
Steelers win!
Playoffs, bitches!
Did the Steelers really clinch the playoffs today? They did say that on the broadcast, but if so then the ESPN playoff machine must have the tiebreakers wrong.
Next week, if the Steelers lose and the Chargers & Ravens win, then those three are all tied at 10-6. The machine says the Chargers are the 5 seed, and the Ravens are the 6.
To answer my own question, the playoff machine is wrong and the Steelers did clinch. The machine says Baltimore wins the common games tiebreaker, but that’s wrong as that tiebreaker is even. The Steelers win on better conference record.
Congrats Steelers.
I turned off Cleveland in the third quarter and won’t return until next season. Just too painful.
So is there any scenario where the Steelers can get a bye? I am guessing no which makes next week’s game kind of meaningless (basically playing for a home game in the playoffs) but I’m not sure.
I think Denver would have the tiebreaker over the Steelers at 11-5, so a win next week would give the Steelers the #3 seed regardless of other results. That would mean a home wild card game, and going to Denver rather than New England for round 2. And I guess some small chance of hosting the AFC championship, if both Denver and NE were upset in round 2.
According to Elias they can finish with the third, fourth, or fifth seed but a win would also make them the division winner. I don’t think they’ll take this game lightly at all.
Nice to see Lawrence Timmons getting some recognition, named to his first pro bowl today. I would probably pick Heyward as the defensive MVP but #94 has been a monster all season, flying to the ball on every play and always maintains gaps while doing some very solid work in coverage.
Bell, Brown, Roethlisberger, and Pouncey all named for the offense.
This has set up nicely for the finish of the AFCN. The Bengals can get as high as the 2 seed with a win and a Broncos loss, or as low as the 5th if they lose to the Steelers.
If the Bengals keep grinding like they have recently, I like their chances at Heinz field, where I believe they have beaten the Steelers more than they have at PBS in the last five years or so.
I haven’t seen anything of the Bengals’ recent games but it sounds like they are playing well indeed. What’s up with Hill’s success running? O-line playing better, he’s put things together or have they just made a commitment to establishing the run? Steelers are susceptible deep right now but most of the teams looming have their own difficulties delivering the deep passes.
Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR AFC North champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Before my Steelers get to dine on some Raven, time for me to eat some crow: while not as rabidly as others calling for his resignation, I did have real doubts about the choice of Haley and subsequently his play calling. I was wrong. Well over 400 points on the board - nicely done.
I was at the game last night. Great win, and solid play for the most part. The O line is looking awesome. I’m sure it was apparent on TV, but Ben just had all day to throw. The Bengals couldn’t get any pressure whatsoever on him all night.
The coaching staff deserves a lot of credit this year. The always talk about the next man up philosophy but they really proved it this season. Almost all the units had key guys go down and others stepped in with little drop off. Hell, the secondary improved! Even after Bell went down I didn’t notice much change in what they were doing offensively although I’m sure none of us want to see Archer trying to pick up Suggs on a blitz next week.
Yesterday was an exciting first week of the playoffs!
Looking forward to the real playoff games starting next week.
Personally, I’m hoping for the longshot of a Denver/Dallas Superbowl. But, with the way all the teams are playing, I think it will be an entertaining Superbowl regardless of who’s in it.
(Another Pittsburgh/Arizona matchup is not entirely out of the question)