THE 50-YARD LINE

     We're shipping up to Boston (or at least to Foxboro)! With Sunday's nail-biting 18-16 win over the Chiefs our Pittsburgh Steelers advance to the AFC Championship game on Sunday to battle the New England Patriots. In following with Coach Tomlin and QB Ben Roethlisberger's edict, I won't give New England any bulletin board fodder by referring to them as the Cheatroits. But before we move on, Mrs. Black-N-Gold brings you The Good, The Bad and The Ugly from Sunday's game.

GOOD

A win is a win, no matter how ugly it is. And a win is a good thing. It was also a good thing for the Steelers that the offensive line led the way again this week because RB Le'Veon Bell had another record-breaking game. LBell broke his own mark set the week before when he rushed for 170 yards on 30 carries. Yes, #26 is on his way to the record books with his performance in his 1st postseason. But he's not alone.....

Game ball goes to K Chris Boswell. The Wizard of Boz put all 18 points no the board on Sunday. The Wizard of Boz did so in route to setting a new league record with 6 field goals. Mrs. Black-N-Gold never likes to see our Steelers settle for 3 but she knows if it comes down to a field goal to win a playoff game, Boz is definitely boss. 

BAD

#7 doesn't seem to be too lucky for the Steelers, these days, especially on the road. Ben continued his unimpressive play away from Heinz Field on Sunday by going 20 for 31 for 224 yards and an interception to go along with a 72.5 QB rating. What is wrong with Ben? He and his receivers look out of sync more often than not. Could it be that they're unable to find a rhythm when the running game takes over? Or is Big Ben shrinking in big moments? Whatever the problem, no doubt Ben needs to find his mojo on the road so the Steelers can continue the Stairway to 7. 

UGLY

Mrs. Black-N-Gold will tell you what is ugly. It seems like every week, the Steelers are dealing with outside obstacles to tackle while preparing for the week ahead. If it's not Terry Bradshaw bad-mouthing Coach T, it's Joey Porter getting into on the South Side. This week's distraction is brought to you by WR Antonio Brown and his inability to keep the inner sanctum of the locker room from the prying eyes of the media and fans, alike. Tony Toetap may not get that some teammates and/or coaches may prefer to keep what goes on in the locker in the locker room. True, some others have lifted the lid off the locker room in the past but doing so may create a rift with those that don't appreciate this practice. In true Steelers fashion, Mrs. Black-N-Gold is certain they team will brush this off as AB being AB and focus on the task at hand. Otherwise, it could get ugly. 

Speaking of "the task at hand", the Steelers head up to Foxboro for a business trip this weekend when they battle Tom Brady and the boys for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It's too late to turn back now. Keep moving forward, onward and upward. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!