2007 NFL Pick-em: Week 13

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Kyle379

Pittsburgh lost games by 7 to Arizona(late return), 3 to Denver(last second field goal) and 3 to the Jets(overtime) I would think they made those interesting games. . .

So essentially the Steelers went down with a whimper in those games as each of your opponents embarrassed you late. Pittsburgh didn't make them interesting - their OPPONENTS did.

And even though they weren't losses, I'd add the 3-0 embarrassment that was the Miami game and the "please beat us cincy, we want you to win this, really" game from last night as examples of sloppy, uninspired, winning by the skin of your teeth gameplay. ZZZZZZZ.

Browns on the other hand, despite the mistakes they've made (mainly Anderson's fault in 3 of the losses - dude needs to stop the Jekyll and Hyde routine) have lost to Arizona on a last second TD throw to Winslow negated by the refs (he WAS pushed out and would have landed straight down in bounds had he not been contacted), drove for a last second game winning field goal they MADE and then lost due to the Shanahan timeout tomfoolery Oakland used against them, and made a thrilling last second push down the field against the Steelers (including an absolutely stupid decision on the Stealers' part to kick to Cribbs) only to have a long field goal just miss. That, and unlike most teams in the league except for Indy and Philly, they managed to give the Pats some heart palpitations and aggravate their fans during that game.

The Stealers are winning very ugly despite their mistakes. The Browns are losing "well" despite their mistakes (mostly attributed to a single player they have someone waiting in the wings to replace), if there is such a concept. The difference? A measly 2 wins. Considering the teams' recent histories and reputations, I like the way the Brownies have played, even in most defeats. I also like the way the Browns' defense has been improving in recent weeks, even with the mounting injuries on the D-line and secondary. And I'm ECSTATIC with their absolutely AWESOME offensive line play. So yeah, I'll take it. But if Anderson keeps up his good cop/bad cop routine, I'd like to see Brady Quinn before the year is out.

So yes, Browns fans have many great reasons to be happy and encouraged despite their losses. Steelers fans should be concerned and aggravated at their team's play despite their winning.

We'll see what happens when Pittsburgh plays New England next week. They match up like Philly did against them, so they'll have a chance to make it interesting. But if they turn the ball over and let New England's D turn Roethlisberger into a pinata as Pittsburgh's offensive line is wont to do, it'll be a long day.