Send your comments, predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent as well as your postgame critiques from the previous week. Whether your message is a simple, "Go Steelers!" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it.
I hate the Vikings. I always have, I always will. Cris Carter is a crybaby. Randy Moss is a crybaby. Dennis Green is a crybaby. And Daunte Culpepper has a bigger ass than Eric Green. Had the Vikes beaten the Colts in last years' season finale, the Steelers would have made the playoffs. Instead, Dennis Green (a coach who once threatened to sue his own team) started Bubby Brister at QB and Minnesota got destroyed. Kill 'em all.
Viking Facts
Record: 4-6
Defense rated 28th in NFL in yardage, points allowed, and sacks.
Offense is 5th in passing yards and 9th overall, but 28th in both rushing and sacks allowed.
Except for Gary Anderson, of course. And even he deserves no quarter this week.
Offensively, the Steelers will without question dominate a Minnesota defense that is ranked 29th against the rush, 28th in total yardage, 28th in points allowed, and 28th in sacks. Clearly, the game plan for Pittsburgh will be to protect the ball by grinding it out with Bettis, who should have a field day against one of the NFL's worst run-stopping teams. The question is, will the Steelers be able finish drives and put up enough points to win just in case Minnesota's schizoid offense manages to have a good day? My guess is yes, because even though Mularkey hasn't quite put the spector of red zone inefficiency behind him yet, Minnesota has been utterly pathetic on the road, being outscored by a whopping 134-56. I fully expect it to get ugly for the Vikes by halftime.
Not that these guys pose no threat. I may hate Moss, Carter, and Culpepper, but I still respect their big-play potential. Culpepper is very similar in style to Steve McNair, who shredded the Steelers for 334 yards last week without the aid of big-time receivers like Carter and Moss. Ultimately, Pittsburgh's best defense against Culpepper and company may simply be to dominate time of possession and keep the ball out of their hands.
Having said that, I'm not exactly trembling with fear at the prospect of our defense (rated #1 in yardage, points allowed, and sacks) facing these three crybabies from Minnesota. Yes, Carter and Moss are a concern, but it's been shown time and time again... if you frustrate them early, they'll go into pouting mode and become ineffective. Tim Lewis must guard against letting the Vikes get any kind of early momentum in the form of a "gimme" TD bomb like he did last week in Tennessee. Chad Scott has been struggling a bit for the last 3 week or so, so I'd be surprised if Lewis doesn't make sure he has a little extra help this week since the Vikes don't have an Eddie George in their backfield to occupy our safeties. Culpepper is a dangerous runner, though, so it will be interesting to see how Lewis deals with containing him. My guess is a steady dose of Kendrell Bell upside Duante's head should do the trick.
Perhaps most importantly, the Steelers are a team of character, and the Vikings are not. The Vikes have curled up into little helpless balls numerous times this season when faced with early deficits (Tampa Bay up 28-0 at halftime, Philly up 31-3 before halftime, Carolina up 10-0 at halftime, New Orleans up 18-7 early in 3rd). The Steelers, on the other hand, have battled back from a pair of early double-digit deficits in hostile environments (14-3 in Tennessee and 9-0 in Cleveland).
Lastly, just in case all of the above doesn't convince you the Steelers will win, consider this: the Steelers are 19-1 when Sandy has been in attendance, and we're going to the game this weekend. Place your bets, gentlemen.
The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the top). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
Tim you were incorrect when you said the Vikings started Bubby Brister.
Culpepper got hurt in that Colt game and Brister then came in. Also if the
Steelers deserved to go to the Playoffs last year they would have. I guess you
Steeler fans have been out of the LOOP for so long you would even back into the
playoffs with pride.
ps. About the size of Culpepper's Ass;
I see an ad endorsement featuring Dan Marino, Aretha and Daunte in his
future.With the Spinal Tap classic "Big Bottom" as the theme music...Marketing,
what a concept!
Well its almost Sunday and I can't wait to collect my STEELER CASH .... Who said
you can't make money on the dumb ones..Ha!!! once again looking forward to
having "THE COLOR PURPLE" all over my face ...... HERE WE GO STEELERS-HERE WE
GO!!!!!!
Females that are into football are
great,but females that love the Steelers kick ASS!!!GO STEELERS!!MAY THE BUS
LEAVE SOME SKID MARKS ON SOME PURPLE ASPHALT!!!
Everyone knows that the Vikes can't beat them on the ground. I pray Lewis brings
it more and doesn't wait til the fourth.
Their strength is in the blitz. They gave McNair way too much time to throw last
week!
Vikes receivers versus Pitt's secondary is my only concern.
Bettis will break 100+ and "black and blue" these Purple Pansys.
Steelers will(no jinxes) be 9-2!!! and the Bowl buzz is for real!
