The Steelers have lost four games in a row. That’s bad enough, but how they lost it against the Cowboys is even tougher to take. A great comeback engineered by Ben Roethlisberger will now be a footnote in the record books. All the Steelers had to do was hold the Cowboys when it counted and they failed. The Cowboys’ 75 yard drive with under a minute to play may end up being one of their most important ever. It’s a huge win for Dallas, and a crushing blow for the Steelers. Heck of a game, and a most disappointing loss for the Black and Gold.
* Big Ben was awful against Baltimore and terrific against Dallas. He said he would lead the way this past week and he did. It was vintage Big Ben, including a late drive that looked like it would send the Heinz Field crowd home with a victory for the ages. If Roethlisberger plays like this down the stretch the Steelers can still make the playoffs. It’s a shame his great performance was wasted because his defense couldn’t do their part when it really counted.
* Mike Tomlin likes to go for two points, and when they work he looks great. But when they don’t it leaves him open to second guessing. The Steelers didn’t convert after their first score and ended up chasing the points the whole game, going 0 for 4 on the day. That cannot be overlooked in this big game.
* As much as I hate to say it, Dallas, winners of eight straight is for real and is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Dak Prescott could very well be the first rookie to take a team to the big game. He looks like a seasoned veteran. Running Back Ezekiel Elliott is a stud, plain and simple. Add to that the powerful offensive line, which may be the best in the NFL, and the Cowboys could be super again.
* IUP steamrolled Bloomsburg to end the regular season 9-1. It was another great regular season for Curt Cignetti and his crew. IUP now heads to the national playoffs where the Hawks will face Fairmont State. I have no idea how far IUP can advance in the postseason minus star quarterback Lenny Williams. It could be a one and done for IUP without their dynamic playmaker. I hope that’s not the case. With Williams IUP could have gone a long way in the playoffs. Without him? This is another reminder that sports isn’t always fair. Cignetti will have his team prepared, that’s for sure. And hopefully IUP can make a nice run.
* Penn State had every reason to lose at Indiana. The Nittany Lions did not play well. And when they lost two more starting offensive linemen things looked pretty bleak. Yet they put together another strong second half and found a way to win. What does it say when star running back Saquon Barkley is held to just 58 yards on 33 carries and Penn State still wins? Barkley had no place to run all day, yet willed his team to the win with two touchdown runs. Penn State is now 8-2, which none of us saw when the season began.
They will be favored against Rutgers and Michigan as they end their regular season. The big question entering those games is how will Penn State put together an offensive line with so many injuries? If the Lions can run the table it is a real tribute to these kids and their coaching staff.
* Pitt gave Pat Narduzzi his first big signature win with their thrilling last second victory at number two Clemson. Wow, what a game! Despite giving up nearly 600 yards through the air, the Panthers made a defensive stop for the ages late, and then drove for the game winning field goal. This was one of the best and most exciting games I’ve seen in a long time. And it will do wonders for the Pitt program. Well done, Panthers.
* November is when the NCAA playoff picture comes into focus. And it was shattered on upset Saturday. Number two Clemson gets knocked off by Pitt, which was a major surprise. Iowa, who was blown out by Penn State a week ago, managed to beat number three Michigan on a last second field goal. And number four Washington was upset by USC. Games like these are why I like college football over the NFL. You can’t beat the excitement and pageantry of college football. It’s a free for all now for the four playoff spots. And there’s still plenty of college football to be played before the pairings are set.
* Don’t look now, but the Pens are 4-0 with Matt Murray in goal. He’s only allowed five goals in that time. Does this mean he will be the Pens’ number one goaltender going forward? And does this mean that Marc Andre Fleury will either be traded this season or will be gone after the season? Who knows? What I do know is that you can’t argue with the results. Murray is playing well and so are the Pens.
* And if you haven’t noticed, Sidney Crosby is back with a vengeance. Crosby has ten goals in just nine games, and is once again showing the hockey world why he is the best player in the game. Connor McDavid, whom the Pens faced this past week, may very well be “The Next One”. Sidney Crosby is still “The One” these days. Amazing.
