The Steelers are going to be extremely tough to beat in their own stadium in January.  The key to the Steelers is obviously an outrageously talented defense that defends well both against the run and the pass.  How good are they?  They didn't allow a single 100 yard rusher nor a three hundred yard passing game against them all year.  They allowed only 223 points over the entire season, just under 14 points per game; when they played the Chargers this season the Bolts could muster only ten points.  The Steeler offense is average; but coupled with the shutdown defense that is more than enough to notch a lot of wins.

Even with that stainless steel defense; the Steelers did lose four games over the course of the year.  Philadelphia beat them early in the year 15-6.  Philadelphia put monstrous pressure on Roethlisberger with 9 sacks and forcing three turnovers.  The defensive scheme of the Eagles badly confused the Steeler offense who were not able to run or throw.  The Eagle offense didn't achieve much, but didn't have to.

The second loss of the season was against the NY Giants.  In this game the Giants knocked on the door repeatedly, but settled for four field goals.  Roethlisburger was sacked five times and threw four interceptions.  The Steelers were playing without a number of key players on defense and finally tired in the fourth quarter surrendering a touchdown through the air to pick up the victory 21-14.  

Indianapolis was also able to beat Pittsburgh at home.  It was a tough fight that again keyed off of Roethlisberger mistakes, he ended up throwing three interceptions and getting sacked twice.  Manning was able to capitalize with one lucky deflected pass going long, but was able to pass for two other touchdowns, one late in the half, the other at the end of the fourth quarter.  Indianapolis was particularly effective against Pittsburgh's running attack allowing just over two yards per carry.

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Vincent Jackson was arrested for driving under the influence by the California Highway Patrol on Teusday night shortly after 2 AM.  The exact blood/alcohol content was not released.  He was driving along highway 52 near the 805 freeway.  He was released by 6:00 AM.  Jackson was having the best season of his career with over 1,000 yards; his season statistics are below:

The arrest is troubling not only for itself; but also because it his second arrest for this offense.  He was reportedly driving on probation for a prior offense.  It seems a pretty clear indication of some kind of drinking problem. 

Most recently Jackson had no catches.  It is unlikely related to anything but the Colts secondary that was very careful to always have tight coverage on the dangerous receiver.  It brings up a number of questions for Chargers management; it is impossible that the case will be resolved prior to this weekend's game.  As difficult as the timing is, the Chargers should suspend him; if this is his second go around he clearly hasn't learned anything; there need to be consequences.

HT: Dex.

Richard just ran off with the Carnac predicting the exact score for the first time in the storied history of Bolts from the Blue.  It is fitting that with the Saturday game he wears the mantle of the Carnac for an extra day.  Go forth with great pride in your singular achievement.

The Leaf was particularly egregious this week; King Richard predicting the 33-17 blowout for the Colts.  Not since Louis the XVI lost France (not to mention his head) has a king blundered so badly.

Damn; teams have suddenly remembered Rivera.  I hope he sticks as DC.  More on him here.

Bennett will see more action in Pittsburgh, that was a nice move by AJ.  The whole pancake caper is a little bizarre though.

Roethlisberger is ready to go after his concussion.  I wonder if they are going too soon on him; that killed Humphries career.

Michael Silver eats a little crow after calling the Chargers frauds.

LT looked done to me; they are saying maybe he can play a little Sunday.

Baltimore looked for real against the Dolphins; I think they can take the Titans.

The annual Dungy watch has begun.

The Pats franchise Cassel; Brady is having more trouble with the surgery than expected. 

I like the Eagles over the Giants this weekend; I'm not sure why.

I have trouble seeing the Cardinals getting past the Panthers.

With Gates and LT injured you had to wonder how the Chargers would do against a Colts squad riding a nine game winning streak.  The Chargers have been in win or go home mode for five weeks now and managed to do just enough to win at home.

Mike Scifres via the Union Tribune (it's hard to find a good picture of him)

Quarterback - B
This is a tough grade, Rivers threw the pick and had another dropped on a deep throw.  He only gained just over 200 yards through the air; but almost as important is the number of throws he didn't make.  When he didn't see a play he would throw the ball away; and despite being sacked four times he avoided the strip sack.  And let us not forget his fabulous lumber to get close to the first down where he went in head first and then brought the QB sneak for a crucial first down.  Rivers did enough for the win. 

Offensive Line - B
There were some nice holes created by the line coupled which led to 167 yards on the ground.  The line didn't do as well protecting Rivers, not only giving up four sacks but also allowing a lot of pressure and forced roll outs.  Considering the skill of Mathis and Freeney, it wasn't a bad effort and the run blocking was the best of the season.

Wide Receivers - C-
Almost a non-factor in this game.  Give credit to a great game by the Indianapolis secondary that kept Vincent Jackson to no catches.  Chambers caught for about 50 yards and Naanee chipped in about 15; but the wide receivers were scarcely an issue in this game.  

Tight Ends - A
You expect your stars to come through in the big games and Antonio Gates did exactly that.  You want your tight end to take those middle routes against a Tampa two and that is exactly what Gates did.  An exceptional performance with the high ankle sprain.

Running Backs - A
Wow, LT gives a great start before going down with the nagging groin injury.  Sproles gets 23 carries and 105 yards on the ground plus 45 through the air.  Michael Bennett chipped in with 24 yards; but lets not forget perhaps the best performance.  In the replays of all three touchdown runs Hester could be found making a block that would key the big play; I have spent some time this season wondering if we had overpaid for Hester but he has really come into his own these last few games.

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This game was a classic; an epic of the first water.  The easy thing to say is that the Chargers have the Colts number; but that clearly isn't true.  Every game against the Colts comes down to the final play and today it was the Chargers who had the ball last.  In an ironic twist this game really revolved around two terrific defenses and special teams instead of the quarterbacks with all the gaudy awards and statistics.  Philip Rivers would end up with a passer rating of 60 with one interception and four sacks and a scant 190 yards.  Peyton Manning would get three hundred yards and a TD; but that is deceptive as 72 yards and the TD came on one quick snap and complete breakdown by Antonion Cromartie in coverage for the Chargers.

                           Antonio Gates had eight catches for 87 yards

The game started well for the Chargers with Ladainion Tomlinson scampering around the outside edge for thirteen easy yards.  It was clear that he was running injured however as he couldn't seem to make a cut.  That was followed by a two yard run, a six yard pass to Gates who had the high ankle sprain, but then Mathis came up big for the Colts with a sack of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and the Chargers were forced to put the ball.  Scifres pinned the Colts back in their ten yard line; it was the first of many dazzling punts by Scifres.  Manning came out looking sharp, aided in part by a thirty yard pass interference call against Quentin Jammer.  The Chargers defense began the game shifting formations like wildfire until there were ten seconds left on the clock.  It did seem to baffle Manning just a bit and the Colts would end up punting from the Chargers 42; but in the battle of the punters Hunter Smith would prove to be much less effective.  He hit the touchback, netting only 22 yards.

The next drive Manning would come out looking every inch the MVP as he drove 81 yards for the TD making frequent use of Anthony Gonzalez.  If the first drive the Chargers defense had him off strive; he recovered quickly.  The Chargers next possession gained only 20 yards before ending in a punt against the stout aerial defense of the Colts.  But again Scifres would boom a punt that would pin Indianapolis back at their three yard line.  The Chargers defense only allowed the Colts five yards.  Rivers would get the ball at the Colt 44 after another punt by H. Smith.  Rivers made short work of the short field with a big pass to tight end Antonio Gates; and LT bolted in from the three yard line sprung by the first of many great blocks by Jacob Hester working as fullback.

LT goes in for the score

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