Steelers (2-0) 10, Browns (0-2) 6
The Steelers braved wind from the lake and an improved Cleveland team on Saturday night to move into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
Willie Parker rushed for 100-plus yards (28-of-105) for the second straight game, and Ben Roethlisberger had another efficient performance, completing 12-of-19 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown to Hines Ward.
The Steelers’ defense limited the Browns to 53 yards rushing on 25 attempts. Cleveland’s offense was only able to amass 208 total yards.
It may not have been the 49-12 apocalypse I predicted, bad weather has a way of leveling the playing field, I don’t think these teams are as close as the scoreboard indicates.
The Browns Again defense couldn’t find a stop when it needed one late in the game. Derek Anderson didn’t make the decisive plays the team needed from him.
Not that I agree with the decision, but I see the logic behind Crennel taking the 3 points when they were in range with three timeouts and over three minutes left. However, the time-out and clock mismanagement that showed up in the final moments of both halves was unnerving.
When the Browns got the ball back with 26 seconds left, needing two deep completions, Kellen Winslow wasn’t on the field, interesting.
Ben Roethlisberger reportedly played with a severed shoulder. What a show of faith in an untested offensive line that has put up a solid if unspectacular game for two weeks. I don’t know for sure, but it has to be his non-throwing shoulder that’s supposed to be separated.
I’m not a fan of the term “statement game”. The logic behind this doesn’t satisfy me in the least, inferring that only certain games allow “statements”, whereas one could argue that all games tell us something, therefore all games are “statement games”, so the cliché should be abolished. However, if the Browns were trying to “make a statement” about their final position in the AFC North standings this season, I’d say “second place.”
The offense should benefit from playing in calm conditions against a defensively lacking Philadelphia team next week.
If I were a Browns fan:
I’d be asking for Crennel’s head and Brady Quinn’s head. Who needs stability at QB and head coach anyway? There is no justification for the play call late in the first half that resulted in Troy Polamalu’s second interception in two games, and the coach played scared kicking a field goal for seven late in the game.
Mission Impossible: The 2008 Steelers Schedule Much has been said about the overwhelming schedule for this year’s Steelers team. How much of that is guaranteed? Let’s take a look at how the Steelers’ opponents fared this week.
PHILLY (1-1) 37, DALLAS (2-0) 41 BCS says Browns are 18 points worse than Cowboys, therefore Cowboys are 14 points better than Pittsburgh (BCS does not factor in weather) , therefore, the Eagles are 10 points better than Pittsburgh? Fooey! This is how the Big Ten send teams to national title games. Next week is going to be a fantastic game to watch. When he’s not playing the Steelers, I’m a McNabb fan; I remember Philly fans booing him when they drafted him instead of Ricky Williams. None of these teams seem to play defense at all, the Steelers pay very well for defense. I bet the Eagles are a slight favorite at home next week. I can’t stand 99% of the Philly fans, they don’t know anything about everything and they’re not afraid to let everyone know.
BALTIMORE (1-0): SURPRISING HURRICANE GOODBYE WEEK As if the Gulf Coast hadn’t had enough trouble. The Texans should be glad they weren’t forced to play a home game in Baltimore, or weren’t scheduled to play the Giants or Jets this week, and that the home game was moved to the visiting team’s home field. so the league could make more money.
JACKSONVILLE 16 (0-2) BUFFALO 20 The Jaguars’ offensive line looks like it did the Steelers last season, and suddenly Garrard looks average, thank goodness they have a capable backup in Byron Left … The Bills look like they’re the team in the AFC East no one wants to play right now, it doesn’t bother me that they’re not on the Steelers’ schedule.
I THINK SOMEONE PICKED THE STEELERS TO LOSE DURING THEIR BYE WEEK.
CINCY (0-2) 7, TENNESEE (2-0) 24 The Bengals remain irrelevant. The Titans’ defense is fantastic, and I’m a fan of Kerry Collins (he needs some). The Titans are still stuck with chronic underperformance that may or may not be a head case, and backup over the hill. Too bad the Steelers Titans game on Dec. 21 won’t take place in a snowstorm in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defense has a bigger advantage over the Titans defense than the Titans defense can have over the Pittsburgh offense.
GIANTS (2-0) 41, RAMOS 13
If the Rams can score 13 against the Giants, NY is in trouble.
WASHINGTON (1-1) 29, Saints 24. Campbell will lose more games with his arm than he wins, and this was an exception. He could be wrong. Randel El, he deserves better. The Redskins are tough, but they still allowed 24 points to a David Patten team on their way to WR.
COLTS (1-1) 18, VIKINGS 15 Indy’s are battling it out with the Jags to see who can win the most games before their offensive line recovers. Peyton Manning is good, the Colts’ defense is unlikely to compare to the ’76 Steelers.
SAN DIEGO (0-2) 38, DENVER 39. What a game this was. I’m glad I was forced to watch the end of the Pats Jets game (which consisted of Matt Cassell taking a knee three times) instead of watching more of what will probably be known as the most exciting game of this season. . The Chargers really got harassed by the umpires, but the Broncos still made the plays to score and take the lead with the double. SD is probably the best 0-2 team in the league, losing two games for a total of three points. However, their defense has allowed 64 points in two games.
NE (2-0) 19, NY Jest 10. New York isn’t that great, the Pats are now a boring, run-first team without a superstar quarterback. The Patriots’ defense is still solid, but it’s getting old. I say make a play for Randy Moss at the deadline. Buffalo wins this division.
Opponent Record: 12-11 Winning %: .522
Still hard and very soon, but four wins vs. the Bengals and Ravens are chickens worth counting now; a low estimate of .500 balls the rest of the way would result in 11-5 and a division crown. The Steelers would be battle-tested and ready for the playoffs. Staying healthy.
Come on Steelers!
