In a nutshell, "Chaos Theory" is the idea that one little event can alter the rest of history from that point on. For the Steelers, those "little events" have been injuries.
The first "little event" was suffered by Clark Haggans. Because James Harrison was starting for Haggans at outside linebacker, Bill Cowher pulled Harrison off the special teams units, specifically the kick-off coverage unit.
Everyone who has watched the Steelers play this season knows that the special teams have been a strength, largely in part to the play of Harrison. But, with Harrison as a starter, the special teams was without its biggest playmaker. Add into the equation the fact that Clint Kriewaldt was also injured, and the results were obvious on the first play of the game: a 91 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Will Ponder.
And, that return was not a fluke. Ponder routinely returned the ball well, which translated into an average starting position for the Giants at their 38-yard line.
You give any team that kind of field position and momentum, and you are asking for trouble. As a result, the Giants offense had a swagger, while the Steelers defense always seemed to be back-pedaling (as opposed to attacking).
Haggans' groin injury removed Harrison from special teams...which allowed huge returns by Ponder...which gave the Giants momentum...which allowed the the Giants to amass 278 yards of offense and score 23 points. While neither the yards nor the points were really that awe inspiring, both are higher than what the Steelers vaunted defense is used to giving up.
"Chaos Theory" does not always lead to bad things; good things can result from "little events". Which brings brings me to Duce Staley's hamstring. Had Duce not gotten injured, Bettis might have ended the season with under 100 yards. Instead, Bettis rushed for 140 yards against the Giants, giving him his 48th 100 yard game with the Steelers, moving him past Franco Harris (47).
Speaking of records, Bettis is a mere three touchdowns away from breaking the Steelers record for touchdowns in a season (15) held by Louis Lipps. Considering that Bettis will probably start the rest of the season, three more touchdowns seems very probable.
Yes, I said that Bettis should start the rest of the season. Time to stand on my soap-box. Even if Staley is healthy, I believe that he should sit, and the same goes for Burress....even at the risk of losing home field advantage. I know that many, and maybe all, Steelers fans will disagree with me, but hear me out for a second. Hamstring injuries require time, and nothing else will help that injury to heal. The sooner a player comes back, the greater the likelihood that a re-injury will occur. Remember Yancey Thigpen back in the mid-90s? He returned too early, got re-injured, and was lost for the season. Can't remember Yancey, well, what about Randy Moss this season?
In order to decrease the risk of re-injury, I would rather take the chance of losing home-field advantage (by not playing Burress and Staley against Baltimore and Buffalo). Simply, I would rather take my chances in New England with Burress and Staley than play in Pittsburgh without them.
