Ok, here's the deal - what follows is not going to be what I'd typically refer to as a "preview."
For three reasons...
1) Didn't write a preview for Bengals, Browns (Round 1), or Rams, but did for 49ers, and look how that worked out 2) When you're reading this it will either be New Year's Eve day or New Year's day (if it gets read at all), and 3) This is the Browns
Now, in no way am I discounting the significance of the game itself.
It's not necessarily a must-win, but a win and a Ravens loss would hand the Steelers the two seed and a first round bye, which I don't think you need me to tell you would be a major coup for a team with key players injured all over the field.
But the reality is, in terms of internet usage this weekend, I'd expect it to be a fraction of the norm (ie - probably one person will read this instead of the normal three).
Either way, here's what you need to know - Ben, Pouncey, and Troy are all expected to play, and on the other side, the Browns usual starter Colt McCoy isn't, which leaves Seneca Wallace to try his hand against the Steelers' defense.
As for who the Steelers should be aware of - it's probably...
a. Jabaal Sheard
El former Pitt Panther and Browns rookie has 7.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles, far and away leading the Frowns in both this season at DE.
b. Mike Adams
Leads the Browns in picks with 3.
c. Seneca Wallace
I'm not saying he's going to be a huge threat or anything, but assuming the Steelers play defense like the Steelers, it'll be up to Wallace to try and beat them.
Also, Mike Wallace > Seneca Wallace.
Now, for the random observations...
1) Whoa, dude.
Look at the disparity in tackles between the Browns leading tackler and 2nd leading tackler.
Following the path blazed not long ago by our boy, Mike Wallace, Brown eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in just his second season, after becoming Ben's 2nd favorite target (maybe even overall favorite), and a starter about 2/3 of the way through the season.
[sidenote - do yourself a favor and click here to see who he's got more receiving yards than (spoiler - it's all but 15 guys in the league)]
Not to mention, he's on his way to Hawaii by virtue of the ~28 yards he averaged on kick returns (3rd in the league) and ~11 yards he averaged on punt returns (9th in the league).
And of course, he's got a top five TD celebration.
Definitely MVP level swag.
5) Roethlisberger's Revenge?
Never forget.
So, in conclusion - go Bengals.
As usual, if you get a chance before you drink yourself into a champagne coma later, turn the lights off and hit play on this...
Last game of the season, kids.
Here we go.
If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, and follow Cotter on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.
I now have a special place in my heart for the San Diego Chargers defense too.
But this is not about the Ravens, it's about the Steelers.
With Assaultimore showing its true colors last night, the Steelers now have a legitimate chance to become the #1 seed in the AFC, and get a much needed first round bye.
However, in order to potentially do so, they have a three game season on their hands, starting tonight.
Is Ben going to play?
I'm not a betting man, but given that the Steelers essentially need to win this game and the next two, I'd say smart money's on him playing.
We'll certainly miss James Harrison and Maurkice Pouncey, but winners win, no matter who's on the field.
So, without belaboring the point too much - it's go time.
Time to strap on the pads and hit some people in the mouth.
And certainly no time to waste any more words on the upfront of this blog post.
There were many big contributions tonight, but arguably none bigger than Ben coming back after absorbing that hit I can't get out of my head in the 1st half, after which he could barely limp off the field.
16/21 for 280 yards and 2 TDs, with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, and a high sprain on his left ankle.
Heal up, dude, but what a machine.
Something that looks more like a recap to come.
In the meantime, good win...
Feel free to deposit any and all thoughts in the comments.
Here we go.
If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, and follow Cotter on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.
If this is what happens when I don't write a preview, I'm never writing another one again.
Last week, there was apparently much crying about how the Steelers only beat the Kansas City Chiefs by 4 points.
Well...
Challenge accepted.
A blocked field goal, a punt return touchdown, a (forced and) recovered kickoff fumble, an Ike Taylor pick, Hines Ward over 12,000 career yards receiving, 2 Rashard Mendenhall TDs, 3 James Harrissassin sacks, a 9-3 record, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Sounds like a Pee Wee Herman tequila dance-worthy day to me...
So, yeah, there were so many highlights in this game (mostly from the first half), I'd have to actually write a full recap in order to give credit to everyone.
But since we have a date this Thursday night, and I have grand plans to actually write a preview this week, I'm not going to do that.
I will, however, give mad props to Antonio Brown yet again.
2 catches for 67 yards, including some Dancing-with-the-Stars-esque footwork on that 45-yard catch and run...
And, of course, a punt return TD - the Steelers' first (in the regular season) in almost exactly five years.
I don't know about you all, but I'm down with Brown.
Now, we can only hope all of the Browns have a day like Antonio (I'm looking at you, Cleveland, ahem ahem).
And speaking of Cleveland, regardless of what they are doing with Baltimore as I write this, we've got them next on our dance card this Thursday.
Another week, another AFC North match up.
Take a minute and enjoy this win, ladies and gentlemen.
But have a short memory.
9-3, with four games left.
No time to let up on the gas now.
Full speed ahead...
Your thoughts, celebratory woooooos, and love/bromance for these men welcomed in the comments.
Here we go.
If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, and follow Cotter on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.
I trust you all enjoyed your respective holidays to the fullest.
But put all that competitive eating and in-law wrangling behind you, because as of today, Steelers football is officially back in gameday action.
Now, about these Chiefs...
The Chiefs have been outscored in losses by an average margin of just under 25 points.
Their usual starting QB, Matt Cassel, was recently placed on IR.
Their would-be starting RB, Jamaal Charles, has been on IR since September.
They're 4-6, and have only scored more than three points in one of their last three games (when they hung a whopping 10 on Denver), all losses.
But this is professional football, not lingerie football.
Teams in the NFL don't just lay down and take it just because the chips are down.
What better way to get their fans re-enthused with all the shit going on in KC this season than to beat the Steelers at home on Sunday night, just days after getting spanked by Bill Belichick on Monday night?
So, once again, it's the Steelers' jobs to make sure that doesn't happen.
It's the Steelers' jobs to make sure the story is yet another L for a team that could be headed for the first pick next April.
As for the Steelers, not to belabor the point since I know it's already after 6PM on gameday, in case you've been living under a rock (like I basically have the last couple of weeks for a variety of reasons) - it bears mentioning that...
Luckily, unlike some other QBs in the league, who have sat games for the same or less (looking at you, Jay Cutler and Tony Romo), Big Ben will not be fazed.
But it certainly won't be ideal for our franchise QB to have to grip/hand off/throw a football with one of the most crucial parts of his hand broken.
And despite the success the Steelers ultimately found against Cincinnati, let's not forget that it wasn't easy, nor is any game in the NFL.
Chiefs, Ravens, Jets, 49ers, who cares.
All I want to see when the dust settles tonight is this...
Now, being that it IS not long 'til kickoff, I'm going to nip it in the bud right there and quickly shuttle you all to the meat of this gameday feast (literally and figuratively, as you'll see).
![[Unnamed] Steelers Pregame Show](/images/stories/menu33.png)
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