I'm going to be traveling early Wednesday, so I don't have the time to write an in-depth (insofar as anything I write for this site has depth) preview in advance of the Thursday game. Hell, I don't even know if I'm going to be able to watch it live.At the risk of invoking fate-tempting overconfidence, it's the fucking Panthers. I know, I know: parity, NFL, any given Thursday night game with horrible announcers, sure. Nevertheless, I can't help but return to that it's the fucking Panthers detail.
Not saying Carolina couldn't find a way to win this one somehow, but in the realm of possibility, it's teetering way off the most remote edge. Granted, the Steelers defense is less dynamic without Polamalu playing, but it's not likely to make a huge difference against the league's worst offense. The Panthers are the only team yet to eclipse 200 points or score fewer than 20 touchdowns on the season. Carolina plays some okay defense, but unless we're talking multiple fluky turnovers for scores and maybe a return touchdown or two, it'll take a herculean effort on their part to have a chance.
Suffice it to say, I'm not much worried about the outcome. I mean, it's one of those games where if the Steelers did lose, you'd just have to shrug and say that your guys just aren't that good. And, hey, Heath Miller will be back, so that's no less excuse. That I don't see happening. Not against a constantly confounded Jimmy Clausen. Not with a Steelers defense likely pissed about getting only one sack Sunday against the Jets. Not with memories of losing to bad teams in critical situations last season keeping them grounded.
0 comments:
Post a Comment