This is the team I love. This is what I’ve believed they are capable of and tonight they’ve shown that they are ready to make a SB run. The 6-2 Panthers coming into Heinz, a short week, primetime game, a game both teams “needed.” The Steelers let the Panthers score fairy easily on the opening drive, and I won’t lie, I got a little nervous. But on the first play on offense, Big Ben found Juju Smith-Schuster for a 75 yard touchdown. And we tied it. Just like that. And then Cam got the ball back. And on the first play of that drive, Vince Williams picked Cam off, and brought it to the house and we took a 14-7 lead and we did not look back. The highlights of the game for me were the defense, Ben’s dominant performance (shoutout o-line for protecting him all night, more on that later) and Chris Boswell. Bos was amazing last year. So good we have him a juicy contract extension this offseason. But up until tonight my confidence in Bos has been shaky, just like he has been so far this year. But last night he was 7-7 on PATs and his one FG was good from 50 yards out. The Wizard of Bos is back and I couldn’t be more fired up.
Ben Roethlisberger was 22-25, 328 yards, and 5 TDs. God that is beautiful. That’s my QB. He had more touchdown passes than he did incompletions. What a goat. In the 3rd quarter with about a minute 20 left, Ben scrambled, slid, and Eric Reid hit Ben late, in the head, and got ejected. I don’t really want to get into if it was a deserves ejection, if the league is that serious about player safety, why hasn’t Burfict been kicked out yet? I mean, his hits on us were way worse than Reid’s. ANYWAYS. Ben gets hit, flag flies, and then BIG MAN DAVID DECASTRO and the rest of the offensive line get in Reid’s face to protect their QB! I loved it! That was my favorite play of the night. The offensive line protecting the QB without regards to fines they may face. WHICH BY THE WAY, Ben told the whole O-line he will pay the fine for them if there happens to be any. God I love this team. I swear to god if Le’Veon comes in and messes this team chemistry up I will cry and maybe jump off a bridge. This team is on a roll, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Now the defense! Cam Newton came in playing his best football since his 15-1, SB run, MVP season a few years back. The Steelers defense didn’t care. They gave up the TD the first drive, then a pick 6, they sacked Newton a thousand times, I lost count, he was so flustered. Yes. Christian McCaffery had 3 TDs. One was that first drive, the 3rd was in the 4th during garbage time with the starters out and the game decided. This defense DESTROYED the Carolina offensive line all night long, Cam had pressure on him every time he went to throw. That’s the kind of pressure we need to put on every QB, in every game.
I truly believe this team has what it takes to get to the Super Bowl and win it. Last night was a statement game. And to the people saying that they still can’t beat New England, this Steelers team is the best it’s been over the past 3 years, and this is the weakest NE team we’ve seen in that span, I don’t care what their record says. The only bad thing about this game, is having to wait more than a week to watch them play again.
Being a Steelers’ fan I have had my fair share of emotions toward Mr. Bell over the past 2 years or so. There was a time I said give the man a blank check and let him fill it in. When we offered him the extension, I prayed he’d sign it. But now, now I just do not give a DAMN what the hell he does. He has to come back by next Tuesday to be eligible for FA, so I’m assuming he will report, probably not until the last day, but he will. And when he does, I don’t want him as my RB1. I want James Conner as my RB1. The kid is an ANIMAL! He’s an absolute tank. And nothing to take away from Conner, but his dominance has only hurt Bell, showing how good this Pittsburgh O-line actually is. Bell has talent, and plenty of it. And if he can help the Steelers get their 7th championship, then I’m all for it. But I don’t want Conner to lose his role. He has earned it 1000%. So what do I want Bell’s role to be? RB2/WR3. We know how good Bell is in the passing games, he lines up in the slot, out wide, out of the backfield, it doesn’t matter, he can make plays. Antonio Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, then who? Vance McDonald is a favorite target of Big Ben’s but yesterday against the Ravens, McDonald had a few drops, and him and Jesse James share snaps at TE, so his consistency is a question. James Washington and Ryan Switzer have been seeing snaps and targets more, Tomlin is trying to find the true #3 WR, waiting for one of them to separate themselves. I personally love Washington, think he can be a solid slot receiver in this league. But for when Bell comes back, put him out there. Let him help us get back the Lombardi Trophy. We have a short week, TNF against Carolina this week, so Washington or Switzer can have an increased role if Juju is banged up and limited, or even AB. (Juju took a few hard hits on Sunday, one to the head, and playing against Baltimore always takes more out of you than an average game.) If Washington or Switzer have a big game, they can earn the WR3 spot, and then what with Bell? Then let him play garbage time. Give Conner a break every couple of snaps, he’s been such a work horse, he’s earned some breaks. But Bell has too much talent to just have him sitting there. Yes, he has annoyed me, and I’m not a fan. But if he is a difference maker in if we get SB #7, then I’ll take him. But I don’t want him after this year. Go get paid and struggle behind a bad O-line. Also S/O to Tomlin for knocking Bell with the “we need volunteers, not hostages” quote. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not Tomlin’s biggest fan, but I LOVED this. Good job coach.
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