So, I think I said this last year, probably several hundred times, and at least once already this year, but all that matters at the end of the day is tic marks in the win column. Everything else is just nitpicking. We could sit here and say, the Steelers should do this or the Steelers should do that, and maybe they should, but I honestly can't be overly critical after winning with what as of preseason was our 4th string QB and substitutes all over the offensive line.

The Steelers haven't scored an offensive touchdown in regulation through eight quarters. Fine. It's not the most encouraging stat in the world, but let's not forget the circumstances. They only scored 12 points off of seven turnovers. Right. Definitely not impressing anyone with that. But as Mike Tomlin once said of stats (in 2008, before they had won XLIII), "every day I come to work, I pass five Lombardi Trophies, not five rushing titles." If you overly concern yourself with stats outside of the number of wins and losses, you're going to enjoy this Steelers team a whole lot less right now - unless, of course, you're focusing only on defensive stats.

Anyway, getting back to the actual game, like I said in the preliminary recap, Antonio Brown may have been Sunday's unsung hero. Going up 7-0 less than a minute into the game may have changed the way things went. The defense could be a little more aggressive, since we were in the lead, and it put more pressure on the Titans to make plays, perhaps leading to some of the grave mistakes they made over the course of 60 minutes. And the Steelers offense could emphasize the run, controlling the clock and the game to enough of an extent. Then again, maybe everything that happened would've happened regardless. The bottom line is - that seven points instantly changed the circumstances. And obviously, it did so in the Steelers favor (for once).

Now, that's not to take anything away from the performance the defense posted up on Sunday. Make no mistake, I don't even think there's a word in the English language appropriate enough to accurately quantify how lights out they played in this game. If you can't remember the last time the Steelers had so many turnovers, you're not alone. It wasn't even in this millenium, from what I understand. And here's a fun stat - those six defensive turnovers were just over a 1/4 of the number of turnovers the defense had all last season (which was 22).

In the end, the final numbers looked like this...


Yeah, right, dude. I'm not even going to bother screenshotting the final numbers for you. Frankly, I've already violated my own eyes enough with them, and I'm sure all of you need your monitor screens intact and properly functioning, without a fist through them.

As for the Steelers current QB situation, here's the latest (if you haven't heard) - Dixon reportedly has a torn meniscus in the same knee he hurt as a senior at Oregon, and will miss three to five weeks. Byron Leftwich has been re-signed, as expected, but still has a sprained MCL. And then there's Chuck Batch, who managed to miraculously make it through almost three full quarters with all of his major limbs intact. The Titans somehow managed only four sacks on our wonderful revolving door offensive line, and Chuck took two of them without instantly turning to dust.

So, for next week, you gotta think the rotation will be Batch, Leftwich (assuming he can even suit up), and - I can't believe I'm writing this - Antwan Randle El, assuming they don't sign anyone this week (they're apparently working out former Bills QB Levi Brown at some point). At least that way, you don't risk hurting Leftwich any worse than he's already hurt, and God forbid something happens to Chuck, at least you're not one big hit away from bringing in friggin' Randle El.

Now, let's just get on with the recap.

Not like you haven't already read several others, but hey, just bear with me here, I'm trying to make shit happen.

Come on, baby, light my fire...HERE WE GO...

Things That Were Awesome:

1. Antonio Brown's Coming Out Party...


Dude was so fast no one could even get a picture of it.

Pretty sure I don't need to say any more about this than I already have.

1st NFL kick return, 1st NFL TD.

Dawn of a new era?  Who knows, but they played right to his strength. Don't even make him field the kick and find a lane, just give the kid the ball and let him fly.

Remember Stefan Logan?

Me neither.

2. Enough Pastries to Fill a Bakery...


So, I heard the Steelers got some turnovers yesterday. Could just be an ugly rumor, though.

Unreal showing, there's really no other way to characterize it.

And, THREE PICKS!

Including one by a Corner!



Somebody send the Devil a space heater!

3. SEPULVEDA!


He doesn't make that play, that Welker-type (aka - white) dude is gone for six.

Oh yeah, his punting was pretty cool too.

4. Silverback...


11 tackles (10 solo), two sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

I'm not in the least bit gay, but if I didn't think I'd get rabies, I'd make out with James Harrison.

Through two games, the guy has 20 tackles (2nd only to The Law's 26!), three sacks, and three forced fumbles.

He's projected to have 160 tackles this season.

His three sacks have combined for 23 total lost yards.

And he's done it all while getting held 60 times a game.



James Harrison is the original badass.

5. The Law...


This can't wait another week. I didn't give Timmons an individual nod last week, but this week his impact was undeniable.

With 15 more tackles yesterday, he now leads the team with 26 (21 of which are solo). AND he forced a fumble.



Two years ago you were probably calling him a bust, but I bet you love him now.



Just look at how giddy Tomlin was when we drafted Timmons. He knew.

24. That's how many years he's been on this Earth.

With James Farrior not getting any younger, I'm happy to know The Law is ready to step up. 

Things That Were NOT Awesome:

1. Five Wide with Dennis Dixon?


You all watched Dennis Dixon get absolutely dominated from behind.

With an already suspect line that included a first time starter at LT, wouldn't you think you'd want to keep at least Mewelde Moore or Isaac Redman in the backfield to protect Dixon?



Let's move on.

2. Dennis Dixon's Injury


When I first saw Chuck Batch take the field, I didn't know what the hell was going on. From what I remember, they hadn't shown Dixon getting checked out on the sidelines yet, and all I could think was - what do you think you're going to get from Chuck Batch that you weren't getting from Dennis Dixon? The guy only played for like the 1st quarter and a bit, and he was 4/6, with 3 rushes for 38 yards.

But, then it all made sense.

Two QBs were supposed to bridge the gap between Week 1 and Week 5; both now have knee injuries.

As for Sunday, like I said before, I think you start Chuck Batch.

Either way, I hope they've got Mikey Potts on speed dial.

3. Blocking


Then again, they did only allow four sacks, at least one of which wasn't their fault. And it WAS 90 degrees.

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing a game wherein one of the Steelers QBs stays upright for 60 minutes (or at least some substantial portion of it).

4. Holding on the Batch to Mike Wallace Play


Like shit, holding also happens. So, I ain't mad at the o-line for this.

That still doesn't mean it didn't suck.

It would've been nice to at least celebrate SOME success offensively.

Oh well, we've gone eight quarters without scoring a TD before.

And then we won a Super Bowl...


Woooo!

5. Vince Young


I wonder how eager Vince Young is for the Steelers now.

He's gonna need a bailout after all those psychiatrist bills.





Things I'd Have "Disliked" on Facebook if There Were Such a Button:

1. 21 Yards Passing


No, passing was not going to be a focus for this game.

Still, I piss 21 yards passing on gameday.

Whatever, we won. 

2. Trai Essex Down!


Who do we even have to sub in at this point?

Ramon Foster?

Christ.

3. Joe Flacco


FOUR INTERCEPTIONS!

FOUR!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...


At least it's comforting to know that someone else in the AFC North can't score touchdowns either (though he did throw ONE on Sunday).

4. Chris Johnson


I'm sorry, what's that?

I can't hear you over the sound of your hopes of rushing for 100 yards in 13 straight games being crushed...


Funny how he left Timmons out of that tweet.

5. This Recap


I forgot that even double teaming these things, it still took Steve and I an entire day to get them up last season.

Holy shit, I need a drink.

Honorable Mentions...

Jeff Reed


There's Mr. Automatic.

Lamarr Woodley


Four tackles, one sack, one pick. Just another day at the office.

Troy


Science has spoken - Troy is as fast as the speed of light.

James Farrior


But only because he made Kerry Collins shit himself...although, at Collins' age, that's probably not hard to do...HEYO!

And finally, Yinz Luv Da Stillers...


Now, it's your turn.

Please deposit all thoughts about the QB situation, what the hell happened on that last onside kick, or Social Darwinism in the comments.

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