Steelers take care of business vs. STL, still much to be decided in 2011

Charlie Batch shook off the rust and dust to beat the St. Louis Sheep

The Steelers did their part today, systematically taking apart the St. Louis Rams at Heinz Field, behind the efforts of QB Charlie Batch and RB Rashard Mendenhall.  Final score 27-0 in favor of the good guys.  The Sheep had nothing to give this week after nearly upsetting the Bengals last weekend, and even with RB Steven Jackson eclipsing 100+ yards on the day (and in turn clinching his 7th straight 1,000 yard rushing season), the Steelers were simply too much for the Rams to handle.

Despite only playing sparingly since preseason, Batch looked spry for his 37-year old self.  He made several plays with his mobility, starting with finding Mendenhall on a screen pass early in the 1st Quarter that set the tone for the rest of the game.  The Rams fought hard to keep the score close at half, 13-0.  From then on, it was all Steelers. 

The Steelers went into this game knowing full well that after the egg they laid in San Francisco last Monday, they needed some improbable help today in the form of wins by Cleveland and Miami.  Cleveland fought back against the Ravens, but lost 20-14.  Joshua Cribbs returned another punt for a TD (84 yards in the 3rd Quarter) to get the Browns back in the game, followed by a Seneca Wallace to Evan Moore TD with 8:22 left in the 4th Quarter to pull within one score..  The Ravens defense did what they have done at home all season and put the clamps on the comeback.

In Foxboro, the Patriots got into a hole early as the Dolphins took a 17-0 lead into halftime.  After that, Brady took over.  The Pats marched down the field on the first possession of the 2nd half to make it 17-3, the morbid New England defense kept the Dolphins from doing any more damage which gave the Pats time to rebound and take a 27-17 lead with 2:56 left in the game.  Miami scored a TD (Moore to Bess, 15 yards) with 1:48 but elected to kickoff instead of trying an on-side kick.  The Patriots ran out the clock and the dream was over for the Miami Dolphins.

The dreams of the Pittsburgh Steelers now come down to Week 17 and an all-out prayer.  The Cincinnati Bengals are one win away from a playoff berth, win and they are in.  The Bengals will host THE RAVENS next week, so for the Steelers to win the AFC North they need the Bengals to play balls out and beat the Ravens. 

The Patriots have locked up either the #1 or #2 seed.  New England will meet resurgent Buffalo next week.  If the Patriots win, they are the #1 seed,  If they manage to lose, it opens the door for either the Steelers to be the #1 seed.

Of course, none of this matters if the Steelers do not beat the Browns in Cleveland.

Basically, it works out like this: 

Steelers win + Ravens loss + Patriots loss = Steelers #1 Seed
Steelers win + Ravens win = Steelers #5 Wild Card seed
Steelers win + Ravens loss + Patriots win = Steelers #2 seed

That's it, the only scenarios that matter for Steelers fans.  Any hope of Heinz Field seeing another football game this season hinges on those pesky Bengals and their opie QB. 

The week will determine the injury situations, and the NFL schedule committee did no favors for Pittsburgh by moving both the Steelers-Browns and Bengals-Ravens games to the 4:15 start time.  The Patriots play at 1:00, so if they lose, you can imagine Ben Roethlisberger perhaps playing in this game.  We will keep Steel World Order updated with all pertinent Steelers injury news all week, so manke sure you stop by daily to get the scoop.  We have contacts inside the Steelers organization and local media, and will be breaking news as we get it.

To all of our readers, please have a happy and SAFE Christmas, and enjoy time with your loved ones.  Forget about football for a day and concentrate on the important things in life.  Maybe even watch some NBA basketball if you get really drunk...errr...bored.

Happy Holidays!

The sWo - 4 LIFE