Now the Steelers. I don't want to be the guy that blames a loss on an injury but not having Le'Veon Bell was huge. I'm not saying the Steelers win with him, but they don't lose by 13 with Bell in the backfield. In the first half they needed to find the end zone, but like it's been all year long they settled for field goals.
I'm not sure what to make of the Steelers season. 11-5 and winning the AFC North is a helluva lot better than going 8-8 but I'm also not sure if I want to call the season a success. I'm glad they made the playoffs but a first round home exit doesn't feel great. Offensively you have to say it was successful considering the numbers Big Ben, Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon put up. If those three can stay healthy the Steelers offense is going to be very dangerous in the years to come, especially with the improved offensive line and weapons surrounding them. Defensively they were a nightmare for most of the season. I have a feeling Troy Polamalu's days are numbered. He really looked slow last night and all season. Will Allen was a better option. I'm guessing Ike Taylor has played his last game as a Steeler. Who knows if Brett Keisel or James Harrison will come back for another year. They have some young talent but they need to get a lot better if they want to start winning playoff games.
The only positive about losing to the Ravens is that I actually think they have a chance against the Patriots. I have to give Joe Flacco credit, he plays well in the playoffs. I still hate how their offense is somewhat based on Flacco throwing up deep balls hoping for pass interference calls. It's effective but it's annoying. I hate to say it but I'll be rooting for the Ravens next week. Can't have TFB and Bill getting their 4th Super Bowl. I don't want to live in that world... I also don't want to live in a world with FLACCCCCOOOO having two rings though...
Onto the picks. I went 0-2 yesterday, so I need to get today's picks correct.
Colts 31, Bengals 17 --- IND -3 The Bengals have still yet to win a playoff game in my lifetime (I love saying that). Not having A.J. Green today won't help their chances against a Colts team that has already beaten the Bengals 27-0 earlier this season. I feel pretty confident in the Colts pick because they have Andrew Luck at QB instead of Andy Dalton. While the Colts, really don't have all that impressive of a resume, going only 2-4 against teams that made the playoffs, I like their chances at home.
Also if Marvin Lewis loses today does he finally get the boot? He would be 0-6 in the playoffs if the Bungals go down today. I'm on the fence. While I think at 0-6 maybe it's time for somebody else to attempt to get this team over the hump, you have to give Lewis credit for the making the Bengals a competitive team over his 12-year tenure. Only twice has he lost double-digit games in a season compared to the five straight 10-loss seasons before he was hired. If you are the Bengals are you content with making the playoffs most years but not really getting anything done in January or would you like to risk what you've accomplished recently by bringing in a new coach?
Cowboys 28, Lions 17 --- DAL -6.5 The Cowboys are rolling heading into the playoffs, having won their previous four games all by double digits. The Lions are similar to Bengals, having not won a playoff game since 1991. If the Lions are going to win this game their offense to have to score more than 20 points, something they haven't done since December 7th. I normally don't root for the Cowboys but I think this is finally the year I do it. Frankly it's because I really don't want the Seahawks or Packers to get to the Super Bowl. I have a bad feeling that Tony Romo will have a Romo-esque moment at some point this postseason despite his fantastic regular season. I think they get the win today but next week at Lambeau could be tough.
Enjoy the games people.
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