Sometimes you need to win without you’re A game. The Steelers proved that in Cincinnati, where they came from behind to beat the hated Bengals. Face it, the Steelers stunk it up in the first half. They let Cincy score the first four times the Bengals had the ball. They self destructed with some really bad penalties, one which cost them a touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown. Plus, their special teams were suspect. It should have cost the Steelers a much needed win, but it didn’t. It’s a great win for the Black and Gold, even if the performance was anything but great.
• Kudos to the Steelers’ defense. They couldn’t stop the Bengals in the first half at all, yet rebounded to shut out Cincy in the second half. They finally got pressure on Andy Dalton, and most importantly created a turnover when they needed it. It was a really good turnaround for this young defense, just when they needed it most.
• Cincinnati proved again why they are the Bungals. They had more penalty yardage in the second half than offensive yardage. And in one stretch, Cincinnati committed penalties on four straight plays. Talk about an undisciplined team. I was shocked that Marvin Lewis kept his job after last year’s playoff meltdown to Pittsburgh. If Mike Brown keeps him around after this season it will be even more puzzling.
• How good has Chris Boswell been as a Steeler? On a day when the Steelers couldn’t score an offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter, Boswell came up big with six clutch field goals. He deserves a game ball, for sure.
• All the Steelers want for Christmas is a win over the Ravens at Heinz Field. It’s another must win for the Steelers who already lost to Baltimore earlier this season. Steelers’ fans, myself included, had no desire spending Christmas at a football game and either unloaded their tickets or are trying to get rid of the tickets. Now, it’s a mini playoff game. I wouldn’t pick against the red hot Steelers. The division is there for the taking. It’s time they show up with their A game. I expect them to do just that.
• I hope fans turn out Monday night to watch IUP battle Fairmont State. Joe Lombardi will find out how good his team is when it faces one of the top teams in the nation. We’ve gotten spoiled around here with all the success that IUP basketball has had. A win by the Crimson Hawks in the KCAC would do wonders for this team heading into the Christmas break.
• The Pens have gone from a team that scored goals in bunches to one that can’t find the net. They’ve lost two in a row, but did manage to get at least one point in their losses to LA and Toronto. It’s hard to figure, but that’s hockey. Sidney Crosby can’t light it up every night. The Pens have played a lot of games, and it’s beginning to show. They will certainly welcome their weeklong break when the new year begins.
• Don’t be surprised if the Pens drop a few more games before the end of the year. They are gassed, what with the NHL’s condensed schedule. Furthermore, they’ve lost top defensemen Kris Letang and Trevor Daley. You don’t just throw in the young guys and hope to replace those two great players.
• 2016 has not been kind to Marc Andre Fleury. The Flower is now a backup on the defending Stanley Cup champions. He also avoided a potentially serious injury when he was cut in the throat by a skate in Toronto over the weekend. Fleury can’t get a break these days. It’s obvious he is not happy, and who can blame him. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he ends up being traded by the Pens before the year is out, even though Jim Rutherford has said he won’t trade his veteran net minder.
• RIP Craig Sager. I had a few encounters with the legendary broadcaster back in the 1980s, long before he became a star. Sager was nice to everyone and always had a smile on his face. I went out for a run one night in Birmingham while covering the SEC football media days, only to see Sager about to do the same. We ran together that night, and also the next few nights. Sager was great at what he did, and great with everyone. He will be missed.
