Beer We Go Steelers

 The Steelers dropped a tough one to the Ravens after rallying from ten points down! Despite blowing a ten point lead, the Raven’s came back for a 13 play 92 yard drive for the winning score. This marks the second time this season they have beaten the Black and Gold, putting a stranglehold on the Steelers division hopes!

After writing about the effectiveness of the secondary all week, they promptly laid an egg in this one. The Ravens converted 14-21 3rd downs. That mostly fell on the secondary, which were constantly beaten. The decisive blow of the night was Torrey Smith’s game winner. 

What was disappointing was that the loss spoiled some great story lines; the first being our beloved Silverback, James Harrison, returned with a vengeance after missing four games with a broken orbital bone. He sacked Flacco three times, the final one forcing a fumble that set the Steelers up with their go-ahead touchdown drive.

Max Starks also authored a great story as he basically “stoned” Terrell Suggs who recorded only one tackle. Suggs wouldn’t have been in the story at all it not for an ill advised pass by Big Ben. Starks really has done a great job since his “eating imposed” exile was ended. 

The other highlight of the night was Ben Roethlisberger’s two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that brought his team back from a 16-6 deficit. He continues to get better and better.

Roethlisberger completed 20 of 37 passes for 330 yards, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for 300 yards in three consecutive games. He did throw the Suggs interception, on a perfectly setup screen on the first series of the third quarter at Baltimore’s 14. Other than that though, he was flawless. 

Lastly, Larry Foote played a heck of a game and was all over the place! He is quietly becoming the unsung hero of this season.

The downside was that Ike Taylor played his worst game of the year, as did Willie Gay. Adding to that Ryan Clark, was penalized and out of position several times.

Look for Ray Lewis to get a “Dear Roger” letter as he creamed Hines Ward with a helmet to helmet hit without a penalty. In Ward’s absence, Antonio Brown had over 100 yards and Mike Wallace scored a huge touchdown.

After having some time to reflect on this, my honest opinion is that the Steelers are poised to make a good run. Losing was hugely disappointing, and believe me, the people I watched with will verify that, but that being said, so many things went right last night.

Week one the Ravens destroyed the Steelers, last night the Steelers lost. Don’t forget… there was no LaMarr and no Hines Ward. The Ravens are a terrific team, I just hope we get one more crack at these guys!

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: SILVERBACK! is back! He dialed it up a notch and I can’t wait till he is paired up with LaMarr again. If you didn’t see this coming, you don’t read this blog often. Honorable Mentions: Max Starks for smacking around the preening Terrell Suggs, Larry Foote, for demonstrating the value of experience, Big Ben, for doing something no other Steeler has done!

Where I watched the game: APPLEBEES, with an awesome crew of people! Big Jim and his son, “Almost as Big” Jim were there. I missed seeing these guys and they have a corner of the place reserved for only Steeler fans! I watched with two of my best friends and teammates, my awesome GF KGB and her son E-ROC, also a football teammate. We ate basically the left side of the menu. The Beer of choice was the Greenport local from Long Island. Captain Tailgate was in attendance but very quiet.

My thoughts on Next Week: No rest for the Steelers! Champions get off the deck! Look for the Bengals who are really playing well to run into a Steeler buzz saw!