It was a sad moment: while watching the Steelers regular season finale, it dawned on me that it was Jerome Bettis' last home game. As a fan, all I wanted to see was Bettis crossing the end-zone one final time...which he did...three times over.
In fact, Bettis had a stellar day. At one point, Jerome's statistics were: five rushes for eight yards and three touchdowns...which, if one used some sort of running-back rating (similar to the quarterback rating), Bettis would have had a perfect score. Of course, Bettis added a few more yards to his total...but, to me, just being able to applaud a Bettis touchdown was all that I wanted. And, again, I got my wish three times over.
Fast-forwarding to Bettis' final game...in his home town...of Detroit, I hope he has similar results: three touchdowns. I can not think of a better way for Jerome to end his career, than for him to be awarded a Super Bowl MVP.
But, before Detroit, the Steelers must to travel to Cincinnati.
A few weeks ago, I stated that the Bengals were better than the Steelers. The tables had been "turned" (so to speak): the Bengals were peaking, while the Steelers were in a funk. That said, a few more weeks have passed...and the tables have once again been restored to their upright position: the Steelers have once again regained the proverbial crown as the best team in the AFC North. In fact, the Steelers are the hottest team in the NFL right now: they are on a roll, similar to the run that they went on last season when they beat New England and Philadelphia in back-to-back weeks. Meanwhile, the Bengals are slumping.
And, do not give me that gibberish about the Bengals resting their players for the final two weeks. Last year, the Steelers played their back-ups in the final game of the season against a good Buffalo team...a Buffalo team that ranked first in defense...a Buffalo team that needed to win the game to make the play-offs. And, the Steelers still managed to win that game. In other words, winning is a mind-set. While winning is a part of the fabric of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to learn what it takes to win consistently...especially in the play-offs.
Do not get me wrong: the Bengals are talented...very talented. But, Cincinnati does not understand how to translate that talent into wins.
Speaking of losing the final game of the regular season, the Patriots could have gained the third seed, but instead, they decided to settle for the fourth seed. It makes one wonder, whether the Bengals and Patriots were intentionally trying to lose their final game. A Patriots loss would have assured the Bengals of the third seed (and a Bengals loss with a Patriots win would have made New England the third seed). Both teams had something for which to play...yet, both teams rested their starters. It might just be the "Homer" in me, but I honestly believe that both the Patriots and Bengals lost on purpose (in an attempt to play the Jaguars, instead of having to play the Steelers). Or, New England and Cincinnati simply wanted to "rest their players" (wink-wink, nudge-nudge).
Regardless, the play-offs are upon us...and, again, the Steelers are the hottest team in the league. And, for those who keep pointing out that no sixth seed has ever reached the AFC Championship game (let alone the Super Bowl), I refer you to the following quote from Han Solo: "Never tell me the odds."
Speaking of odds, the Steelers (a sixth seed) are about as likely to win a championship as a 270 pound running back has of playing in the NFL...for twelve seasons...while amassing enough yardage to become the fifth leading rusher of all time. In other words, bring on the Bengals. Bring on the Colts. Bring on whomever. The Steelers are ready.
