Top 5
1. QB Jason Campbell 29/44 for 391, 3 TDs, 116.3 QBR vs. NE
2. QB Josh McCown 27/36 for 348 yards, 4 TDs, 141.9 QBR vs. DAL
3. RB LeSean McCoy 29 carries for 217 yards, 2 TDs vs. DET
Set franchise record for single-game rushing
4. QB Drew Brees 30/42 for 313 yards, 4 TDs, 124.4 QBR vs. CAR
5. WR Marques Colston 9 receptions for 125 yards, 2 TDs vs. CAR
Worst of the Worst
1. QB E.J. Manuel 18/33 for 184 yards, 4 INTs, 7 sacks, 31.2 QBR vs. TB
2. Lions fumble 7 times, lose 3, allow 28 4th quarter points to lose to Eagles
3. Patriots win after bad pass interference call, onside kick recovery vs. CLE
4. QB Joe Flacco 28/50 for 245 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, 64.2 QBR vs. MIN
5. Redskins destroyed at home 45-10 vs. KC
Steelers Recap
The Steelers had one of the best comeback wins in the history of the franchise…only to have it taken away because Antonio Brown had stepped out of balance short of the endzone. I’m not going to lie, everyone on my dorm floor was screaming their lungs out and running up and down the hall, only to return to our rooms to see the replay. I felt like part of my soul died on that play, it was such a tragedy. That play, to an extent, was a visual representation of the Steelers’ season this year. There have been huge wins against the Ravens and Lions, and then there have been the huge disappointments, against the Raiders and the Vikings, and overall, it feels like we missed our chances by that much. The AFC is weak right now, and the fact that we were even in the conversation for a playoff spot is a testament not to how lucky we are, although some credit could go to that, but to how well our team battled adversity this year. After starting 0-4, plenty of my friends said the Steelers would go 4-12, but I refused to believe it. My Pittsburgh pride stood strong and while not entirely objective, I felt it was unfair to count them out just yet. We went 5-2 afterwards, beating the Ravens and Lions at home, despite disappointing losses to the Raiders and Patriots. This has not been the best season for the Steelers, but I’m proud of them for not giving up when the door of future opportunity was teasing them to do so.
Two tough losses against the Ravens and now the Dolphins has the Steelers on the backs of their heels and three must-win games up ahead. The Bengals in Pittsburgh is possible, but I don’t see it happening. Andy Dalton finally got back on the horse this past week against the Colts after struggling in his past couple games and the Bengals defense is still top-10 if not higher. I’m going to have to pick the Bengals in this one, but you can bet I’ll be rooting for the Burgh all day.
Game of the Week: Ravens @ Lions
The Ravens are fighting for the wild-card spot while the Lions try to hold off the Bears for the NFC North title. The Lions looked terrible in Philly, although I think that is partly because their passing attack was hampered by the Hoth-like weather. The Ravens, however, have no excuse for their pitiful performance against the Vikings, one that required a last second touchdown to win. Flacco has looked terrible this year after signing his lucrative contract. Rice hasn’t been much better, so I’ll take the Lions yet again in my game of the week.
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