6-5

Pretty sure moral victories aren't factored into the the wild card race.

Also: oddly, I'm okay with Hines calling out Big Ben on national television. I don't even think his comments were about the concussion, just Ben's drama queen history.

Next post: 2010 draft talk!

Game Thread, Week 12: Baltimore Ravens

Sit back, relax, and behold the magic that is Bruce Arians' offensive genius.

DENNIS DIXON, EVERYBODY!

Okay, it's Dennis Dixon time. Probably should have accepted that after Ben wobbily (yep, made it up) made his way off the field last Sunday and before Chaz took his first snap. It seemed clear that Ben had a concussion and it's only a matter of time (in this case, four snaps) until Batch is injured.

So here we are, season on the line, and the Steelers will trot out the 185-pound, second-year third-stringer to face the Ravens. Not the 2008 Ravens, but still not a team you want facing your backup to the backup in an important game.

But you know what? Touchdown Tommy started in Baltimore in 2005. The results were predictably awful, but here's the silver lining: pretty sure it won't be that bad tomorrow night. (Feel better? No? Moving on...) I went searching for some Dennis Dixon college footage and after watching the YouTubes above here's what came to me: Vince Young.

Don't laugh. I know VY has been a punchline for a year and a half, but he's dangerous when given a short script and managed properly. The Ravens' defense is banged up (they have no cornerbacks, Ray-Ray and Ed Reed are both questionable, Suggs is doubtful), and I wouldn't mind seeing some variation of the VY-CJ option with DD and Mendenhall. The problem, of course, is that if Dixon gets hurt the Steelers are in deeper shit than they already find themselves. Wex writes that Mewelde has been taking backup snaps which renders Mike Wallace useless, I think. (Then again, MeMo has a TD pass on a Byron Leftwich fastball to the back of the end zone, so maybe he can throw the deep ball, too.)

So while this game could decide Pittsburgh's playoff fate, in a sense, the pressure's off. Ben's out, Dixon's in, and the expectations have been lowered. Now it'll be up to Dennis' athleticism and Arians' coaching ability.

See, nothing to worry about.

Happy Turkey Day, Peeps

Because there's only so much Jeff Garcia you should be exposed to. Also, consider this your Thanksgiving Day thread if you're so inclined.

Who Ya Got?!

Commence with the speculation. I'm going with Jeff Garcia. Or Jeff George.

Oh, and here's a little something I put together for FanHouse. (I can't stress "little" enough.)

Really?

Hey, another game I can immediately delete from the DVR. Jesus H. What an abomination on just about every level.

Game Thread, Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs

Neither Larry Johnson nor Troy Polamalu will be playing in this game today. I also can't believe it's already Week 11.

Bruce Arians Fired!

That was solely for DJ's benefit. I can't muster the weekly BA outrage. In other news, it looks like Troy is out for 2-3 weeks.

Not Sure How That Coulda Been Worse

Ben and the o-line looked like it was 2006. I immediately deleted the game from the DVR after it was over. No way in hell I'll rewatch this. You couldn't even pay me to do it.

Game Thread, Week 10: Cincinnati Bengals

I'd like to think the Steelers will roll -- they dominated in Week 3 without Polamalu (... and lost) -- but the Bengals usually show up to play at Heinz Field. That said, I'll conservatively predict Pittsburgh to win by five touchdowns.

Please Don't Doubt Tyrone Carter

Another thread.

Game Thread, Week 9: Denver Broncos

It seems like the Steelers haven't played in years.

Greetings

Hola, peeps. Sorry for disappearing -- had a family emergency and had to head to North Carolina on short notice last Sunday. I'm still in NC and probably won't be home for a few more days. Anyway, here's a new thread.

Hopefully, your irregular HSS programming should be back on schedule soon.