THE 50-YARD LINE

     We have a winner! Our Pittsburgh Steelers came back on the road yesterday to sock it to Cincy and bounce the Bungles 24-20. It wasn't pretty but a win is in win especially during December, when every win is one to remember. Mrs. Black-N-Gold looks back with The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.


GOOD

In Mrs. Black-N-Gold's eyes, there are 3 players that had pivotal roles in this win. LB Ryan Shazier recorded the Steelers only sack of the day in the 3rd quarter to force Cincy to punt for the 1st time in the game. The sack was good for a 10 yard loss on the play. Shazier finished with 5 tackles, 3 solo, 2 for loss, a pass defensed and 2 QB hits along with that sack. If #50 can stay healthy, he will be the next in a long line of great Steelers linebackers. Speaking of "great Steelers linebackers" give a game ball to LB Lawrence Timmons. LT had a crucial interception late in the 3rd quarter that helped turned the tied in the Steelers direction. On top of that, he had 8 tackles, 5 solo, a pass defensed and a QB hit. LT doesn't get enough credit for being the great Steelers linebacker that he is, year in and year out. 

But you can't talk about this win without giving a game ball to K Chris Boswell. For most of the game, the Wizard of Boz was the Steelers only offensive weapon. Kicking 6 field goals, to tie a team record will do that for you. This record included 3 field goals from 49 yards out. No doubt about it, Boz is boss. 

BAD

Early on, the Steelers almost played themselves right out of this game. Penalties and ineffectiveness will do that to you. 7 penalties for 104 yards is not the way to play a football game. And what happened to G David DeCastro? He went from a future Hall of Famer to having a constant case of the sticky fingers with all his hold penalties. He's been flagged more times this season than probably all of his career. But seriously folks, Mrs. Black-N-Gold has preached all season about the evil of penalties. Just say no to flags!

UGLY

While we're on the subject of penalties, thank goodness the Steelers cleaned it up in the 2nd half because that's when Cincy fell apart. Thanks to 4 consecutive Cincy infractions, the Steelers were finally able to find the end zone in the 4th quarter that put them up to stay. This doesn't count the myriad penalties that the refs didn't call on Cincy. And how about all the cheap shots the Bungles where dishing out? Mrs. Black-N-Gold doesn't want to sound like a mindless yinzer but the refs did seem a little blind to Cincy's dirty play for most of the game. Mrs Black-N-Gold hates to rag on local guy Marvin Lewis but his refusal to keep his players under control is another example of why Cincy is and always will be the loser-Bungles. Vontaze Burfict and Pacman Jones should not only be out of the NFL, they should be in jail. Jagoffs!

The Steelers continue to be top dog in the AFC North with a 9-5 mark. The Baltimorons beat the Iggles yesterday, so they're still in 2nd at 8-6. The Bungles bungled their way right out of any playoff possibilities thanks to their 5-8-1 record. And the Clowns continue their winless ways at 0-14. 

Next week, you'd better watch out. You'd better not cry. You'd better not pout. I'm telling you why The Baltimorons are coming to town for a 4:25pm kickoff. This one should be season's beatings, for sure. So make your list and check it twice. Mrs. Black-N-Gold knows if yinz have been a jagoff n'at. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!

In LB