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Leave YOUR Writing on the Wall! Send your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent as well as your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game. Whether your message is a simple "Go Steelers" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it below.
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From Webster's Dictionary
Pigeon \'pij-en\
1. A bird with a stoudt body and smooth plummage.
2. an easy mark : DUPE.
3. A person who actually believes the Ravens will beat the Steelers.
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NOT Two Peas in a Pod
Teams' similarities end with record
Article by McMillen & Wife
Yeah, the Ravens and Steelers are both 3-3. And yeah, both teams have won 3 of their last 4 games. But while the Ravens are as pleased as punch to be at .500, the Steelers are still disgusted with their record and have a chip on their shoulder the size of Brian Billick's ego. The keys to victory are obvious and attainable, and the pitfalls are avoidable.
Watch out for the OTHER Lewis.
Anyone who says that Ray Lewis is the cog that keeps the Ravens going is right. But whether Ray is in there or not, it's the OTHER Lewis, Jamal, whom the Steelers will really need to keep their eye on this week. Lewis is clearly back to form after his knee injury last year.
As I mentioned, the Cinderella Ratbirds have won 3 of their last 4. During that stretch, Lewis has been outstanding, averaging 115 yards rushing per game and snagging 17 catches. Undeniably, QB Chris Redman's success has EVERYTHING to do with Lewis' resurgence (although TE Todd Heaps has been pretty darn good, too). Redman -- who has tossed 7 TDs and only 3 INTs on the year in spite of having thrown only 3 passes in his career prior to this season -- is certainly nothing to write home about. But when you've got a RB playing as well as Lewis is right now combined with a defense that forcing turnovers at a feverish pitch, you're gonna win some ball games.
What's the perfect compliment to any Terrible Towel?
McMillen and Wife's very own handmade
Steel City Soap!
(pictured above)
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Turnovers (or lack thereof) are the key.
As axiomatic as it may seem, it's even more true this week than usual: the outcome of this game will ultimately hinge on turnovers. If the Steelers protect the ball (and I believe we will), Baltimore is going to have a VERY difficult time staying with us for 60 minutes. Tommy Maddox has one helluva hot hand right now, and aside from one freakish quarter against Denver, the Ravens offense hasn't shown that they can score. What points they have managed have more often than not been the direct result of turnovers deep in enemy territory. And in spite of the hype, folks, Baltimore's defense is giving up a LOT of ground to opposing offenses, particularly through the air. A clean game could spell an easy Steeler victory, because these guys don't have anywhere near the firepower we do.
Don't give up any cheap scores.
Colts TE Marcus Pollard ripped us for an easy 41-yard TD pass Monday night. I don't know if you could see it on TV, but there wasn't a Steeler within shouting distance of the guy as he blew unmolested down the middle of the field. I really like how Farrior is playing overall, but he's the one who blew the coverage. He'll need to have his act together for Ravens TE Todd Heap this week. Heap isn't putting up huge numbers, but he's been Baltimore's most productive pass-catcher this season and has made some really sweet grabs, 4 of them TDs. If the Steelers are gonna play 2-deep, Farrior better friggin' stay with his man!
Food for thought that may make some of you cringe.
If I were Bill Cowher, I might have a two or three special plays designed for Kordell at QB up my sleeve this week. Stewart has KILLED the Ravens in the past, particularly with his legs. He rushed for a total of 116 yards against them last year. Randle El took a couple of direct snaps against the Colts on Monday night. Why not Stew this week? Just a thought...
My biggest concern?
Kris Brown. Yeah, I know he kicks for the Texans now, but I can't help but remember the 5 FG attempts he missed last year, costing us the first meeting with the Ravens in Pittsburgh. It is little consolation that cross-eyed Kris seems like Jan Stenerud compared to friggin' Todd Peterson right now (for those of you in the "born after 1980" crowd, Stenerud is the only placekicker in the Hall of Fame). Don't screw it up, Peterson!
The bottom line: Can you taste sole possession of first place? I can. Even without Bettis and Hartings, the Steelers are a FAR better team than the Ravens. We simply need to go out there, play our game for 60 minutes, and come home with a victory.
Tims's Prediction: Steelers 23, Ravens 10
Sandy's Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 7
See 'yins after the game, bruthas & sistas!
Tim McMillen
Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
Mac & Wife is Hosted and Sponsored by Pittsburgh's Finest!
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Fan Smak & Analysis
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The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the BOTTOM). 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!
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Author: Your name here!
Comment: Coming soon!
Leave YOUR Writing on the Wall! Send your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game as well as your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent. Whether your message is a simple "Go Steelers" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it here.
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Author: Your name here!
Comment: Coming soon!
Send us your comments!
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