In order to fulfill my duties as a journalist, there are certain clichés about Pittsburgh's game in Arizona that I must include in my article. So, if you wish to avoid any unnecessary nausea, you might want to skip the next paragraph (i.e. go straight to the "unbanal" part of this report).
First off, with Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm roaming the Arizona sideline, I became confused about for whom I was supposed to be rooting (choke). In fact, Arizona should be known as "Pittsburgh West" (gag). Despite this loss, the Steelers will undoubtedly win in Arizona the second time they play there this season...in the super Bowl (ugh).
Actually, that last statement is actually quite fathomable (that Pittsburgh could win the Super Bowl this year). Yet, at the same time, the fact that EVERY team that has played in Arizona this year has alluded to a Super Bowl appearance, makes that statement trite, trivial, and unoriginal. But, I digress...because, the Steelers have a long season ahead of them, before they can even start thinking about Lombardi Trophies.
Speaking of taking it one game at a time, last Sunday, the Steelers lost a very winnable game against the Cardinals. In fact, after the first quarter, it appeared that the Steelers were going to (once again) trounce their opponent. Then, Pittsburgh's offense sputtered (e.g. Willie Parker only rushed for 37 yards). Worse yet, the Steelers let the Cardinals "hang around"...and eventually win the game.
There are many who will point to Arizona's punt return for a touchdown as the reason that the Steelers lost. "If Pittsburgh did not get penalized, they would not have had to re-kick...and Arizona would not have scored on that punt return...and Pittsburgh would have won!!!" Similarly, some might point to the fact that Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions. Still others would point to Troy Polamalu's injury. And, lastly, many would blame Nate Washington for dropping two long passes, as the reason for Pittsburgh's first loss of the season.
In short, there was not just any one thing caused Pittsburgh to lose; the Steelers simply got outplayed.
The punt return for a touchdown was Pittsburgh's fault; they should have had better coverage. If the Steelers were tired (from having to re-kick), then the solution is simple: do not get penalized. When the Steelers forced a fumble and recovered the ball on Arizona's four yard line, Ben returned the favor by throwing an interception. While interceptions are never good, I do not think it was as much a bad throw as it was simply an amazing athletic play by Adrian Wilson. And, Ben's other interception came when he was trying to force something to happen (i.e. desperation, with only thirteen seconds left to play). Troy Polamalu might not have been on the field, but neither was Anquan Boldin. And lastly, while Nate Washington should have caught both of those receptions, they probably would have required circus catches...and Nate Washington is not (yet) Lynn Swann. Simply, for every excuse that Steelers fans want to give, I can point to a Cardinal making a good play. In other words, we should give Arizona a ton of credit for the win.
Likewise, Big Ben should be receiving more credit than he is getting. The irony is that Ben played his best game thus far this season...while losing...and throwing two interceptions. As I mentioned earlier, the interceptions were not the Brett Favre "into triple coverage" type of interceptions; they were the Joe Montana "where did that defensive back come from?" type of interceptions.
Furthermore, how well Ben played is not at all reflected in the box score and/or in his statistics. But, if you analyze the film, one can see why I was so ecstatic that Ben dropped to number eleven in the draft: he is everything I thought he would be. As I have iterated time and time again: Ben may never be a 300 yard passer; he just wins games.
For example, on one play, Ben alluded the pass rush, by throwing aside a 320 pound defensive tackle and running past another...running to one sideline...back to the other sideline...and finding a receiver for a first down.
Ben's elusiveness reminded me of a one-yard run by Walter Payton. While a one-yard run does not sound impressive, when one sees the film of Walter running to one sideline and then back to the other and then back to the middle and finally finding a hole for a one-yard gain, one immediately understands why Walter is in the Hall of Fame.
Again, statistics can be misleading.
In fact, in the box-score, Ben's aforementioned play reads as just a completion for short yardage. Whereas, in reality, if one takes into account the twelve yard loss that Ben would have suffered by being sacked, the play becomes more impressive. More importantly, the effect that that play had on Arizona's defense was monstrous. One could almost hear the Cardinal defenders gasping, 'What do we have to do to stop this guy!?!"
In other words, despite losing the game, it appears that Ben Roethlisberger is moving himself up the ladder towards "elite" status. Thus, with all the tools necessary for a potent passing game, to go along with their already lethal running game, Pittsburgh could very soon put their hat in the ring as one of the best teams in the league. That...and...the Steelers will obviously win in Arizona in February (double-ugh).
