Blog 'n' Gold : live blogging is hard

Steelers-Redskins game thread

Dan Gigler — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:14:00 GMT

Live tonight from The Office ...

PREGAME

As will be brought up probably 439 times tonight, the fate of the free world hangs on this game.
ESPN panel goes a 4-4 split in picking the game; but the SportsNation map goes solid blue (57%) for your Steelers.
A hello to all of our pals watching the game here, in our nation's capital. Take a tour of their place ...
Ridiculous number of Terrible Towels visible behind Mike Tirico's head.
Seth makes a good call that the first "glamour shot" of a famous D.C. landmark tonight will be the Washington Monument. Apparently, Marion Barry's crackpipe and Eliot Spitzer's hotel room not available.
Effective ad there for Guitar Hero ...
Pretty good montage Kornheiser is narrating about the drunken sailor spending Dan Snyder has engaged in over the years to bring in "name" free-agents and coaches. Makes Congress and Wall Street look restrained by comparison.

FIRST QUARTER

Whhaaaaaaa ....
You cannot be serious.
Who does that?
OK ... for reasons that defy any explanation, the Steelers go for an onside kick to open the game. Perhaps Mike Tomlin is too into this political season, and he tried to do something "Mavericky." Well, it worked about as well for him as the last guy who did that. The Skins get the ball giftwrapped past midfield. Nonetheless, the Steelers Defense shows that it is championship caliber, and sends Washington 3 and out. They settled for a field goal.
Steelers take over and as seems to be the case with almost any given posession this season, comedy and tragedy strike -- Big Ben gets a pass batted at scrimmage, ball goes straight up into the air and bounces off of a typically standing-like-a-statue Steelers lineman and into the waiting arms of a Washington defender. Skins get great field position once again, past midfield.
The Steelers defense once again is a wall. 3 and out. Skins settle for another field goal. Steelers are lucky to be down 6-0.
On a 3rd and 6 we'll give you one guess on what happens ... wait for it ... wait for it ... and ... FAIL. Big Ben is sacked for the 14th time this season by an NFC East team. What a shock. Punt. On a good note, Swift Bill Parker had carries of 8 and 4 yards and has a spring in his step.
I vow to never buy a Toyota product simply because that "Saved by Zero" ad campaign is so irritating, it shoudl be used to coerce confessions at Gitmo.
Seth gets it right -- first D.C. glamour shot is the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Steelers fans get their due and propers from Tirico and Kornheiser; Steelers D forces another punt.
Steelers go 3 and out, and get a weak punt out of Mitch Berger who is in some obvious pain. Santonio has dropped two passes thus far. That's a bummer, man. Get some -- ahem, Visine -- buddy and maybe you'll see the ball better.
Another terrific stand by the Steelers D, with Ike Taylor giving Santana Moss no room to breathe. Skins punt.
Big Ben is one for eight thus far after consecutive drops from Spaeth and Nate. Steelers punt after a drive that opened with a promising 11-yard Willie Parker scamper. It seems that Steelers have had success running the ball this season, but are absolutely determined to not commit to the run. END OF QUARTER, Redskins 6 Steelers 0.

SECOND QUARTER

Quarter opens with a hit by the James Gang -- Harrison & Farrior crunch Jason Campbell on a third down and force a punt.
Steelers on third and 2 "execute" some stupid, ugly motion play -- Ben under shotgun, fake end around to Nate; instead a quick hit to Mewelde Moore about 3 yards short of the sticks. Well, no one blocks, no one's fooled, and Moore doesn't make the catch, and if he had, would have been gobbled up by London Fletcher. Remember when the Steelers would run the ball on third and 2? And make it? Me too. That was fun.
The Steelers defense force another 3 and out. As bad as this offense is to watch, that defense is a thing of violent beauty.
Steelers get their biggest gain of the night on ... a penalty. Ben looks for Hines Ward deep on a play action and Hines is able to draw an interference call. Same drive, and Santonio drops a PERFECT pass right in his arms for a would be touchdown. Aloha, Mr. Hand. Hines Ward, however has come to play and converts and catch and run on 3rd and 10. Its the FIRST third down converted in the game, but like the stock market rising, this is a trend that will not stand. Steelers falter on a 3rd and 6 and have to settle for their first points of the game via Jeff Reed. Skins 6 Steelers 3.
Another Redskins posession, another 3 and out.
Steelers are just as hapless, punt for the sixth time tonight. Hines got decked a trying to make a grab on 3rd and 4 and is being looked at on the sidelines.
Redskins punt and ......... Andre Frazier busts through and blocks it! William Gay recovers and the Steelers are in business at the 14 yard line. If you're watching at a bar or have the radio feed up, or can't watch, Ron Jaworski said something about the Steelers needing a big play on special teams and literally as the words were leaving his mouth, Frazier blocks the punt. Creepy!
Steelers take over, and ... Ben is sacked and has NO ONE to blame but himself. He held onto the ball tightly and forever, as if the launch codes were on the laces. 2nd and goal from the 12 ... Fast Bill off Starks for six and ... bit of a ticky tack holding call on Starks ... 2nd and goal from the 22 ... Santonio makes a catch! Alright Alright Alright ... Ben hits Hines with a laser beam on the goal line; a Redskins defender -- we'll check on who -- makes a great effort to keep Ward away from paydirt, while Hines was clawing like an animal to get in ... Ben on a sneak ... TOUCHDOWN STEELERS! 10-6 Pittsburgh leads.

HALFTIME

Mercifully, one of the worst halves of football in the modern history of the game, comes to an end.That abomination is followed by a watershed moment of our democracy: the two presidential candidates interviewed by a cherubic boob who makes up stupid nicknames for people. John Adams turns in his grave.
Not one, but two airings of the Saved By Zero ad. You're dead to me, Toyota. I'd rather watch political attack ad--- uh, maybe not.
Michelle Tafoya says Big Ben is getting X-rays on his hand, Byron Leftwich will start the second half ... a bad game just got worse ...

THIRD QUARTER

Steelers open with Leftwich under center and convert a 3rd and 1, which they are the worst team in the league with that down and distance (12.5 %
Big Ben is back on the sideline but with the ballcap on; Heath Miller is on the sideline with a massive wrap on his ankle ...
Leftwich sidesteps a leaping blitz by a Skins linebacker and launches an ICBM to Nate Washington setting up a first down on the Washington 11 yard line.
Leftwich converts a 3rd and 7 via a rifle to Mewelde Moore. Steelers knocking ... Willie Parker -- touchdown! Steelers lead 16-6 after a normally automatic Jeff Reed hooks the PAT try.
Reader mattygabe shares with us his petition to get Kornheiser off the air.
A really dumb political ad. Apparently the ocean is running for president.
The Redskins cannot move the ball against the Steelers. Lamarr Woodley slams Jason Campbell to the turf on a gorgeous, perfectly legal sack, which he'll probably get fined for. Steeler ball.
Steelers lose one on first down to Parker; six on a poorly executed reverse to Nate Washington; and 3 or 4 more on a 3rd and 17 Mewelde Moore draw. Nice work, fellas. Punt.
I'm not the only one that hates that ad.
Redskins actually convert a third down and are on the move in probably their best posession of the game before Jason Campbell, under a heavy rush throws a pass to Portis that's tipped into the hands of a waiting Deshea Townsend, who scoops it in, fumbles it and quickly recovers. Washington challenges that Townsend never had posession. The INT would be Campbell's first of the season ... waiting ... waiting ...
Interception upheld; Pittsburgh takes over. That snaps 379 consecutive attempts by Campbell without a pick, an NFL record.
Santonio catch on a 3rd and long! First down. Holmes has also laid a few nice blocks on a drive that has the Steelers on the move as the third quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Steelers put together a 12-play, 77-yard drive, their best not only of this game, but perhaps the last two. The effort was led by precision passing from Byron Leftwich, actual competance on the offensive line, and shifty running from Melwelde Moore. The key play of the drive was a nifty short pass from Leftwich to Moore that went for about 30 yards. Leftwich, who was 5 of 6 for 72 yards on the drive; hit Santonio Holmes with a dart of a flare pass for the score. Holmes had to get .... really high, heh, heh to clear the pylon for the score. Steelers lead 23-6.
By the way, you folks that aren't in the Pittsburgh market are missing a couple of pure gems of local cable ads, namely the ones for Ace Athletic and Pittsburgh Ink. Opposite ends of the same spectrum, if you will.
On a drive that was kept alive artificially via a really lousy roughing the passer call, the Steelers stop the Redskins on a 4th and goal from the half-yard line. This defense is AWESOME. That pretty much puts it on ice with 7 minutes and change remaining ...
The ESPN crew giving some nice plaudits to Dick LeBeau, whom they note came into the league during the Eisenhower administration, saying that between his playing career and career as an assistant coach, he should be inducted to Canton at least in the contrbutors category. Couldn't agree more.
On the Redskins last stand, Jason Campbell is stalked by Lawrence Timmons like a bunny by a wolf and dropped for a massive loss on 4th and 8. Ballgame.
Tony Kornheiser says that the Steelers are now "back in the conversation" as a Super Bowl contender. Let's not get crazy there, baldy. That defense is as good as any I've ever seen, but the offensive line is like a band of Keystone Cops. In other words, its always a jailbreak up front.
Stop the clock and ... It took until 2:28 remaining in the 4th quarter for Kornheiser to make a Jason Taylor/Dancing with the Stars crack. What restraint.
Two-minute warning.
As duly noted by our commenters, the second airing of the Guitar Hero ad did not go unnoticed; yours truly and the entire sports department were held in rapt attention. All night no one shuts up back here then, for 30 seconds, total mouth agape silence.
Ty Carter grabs a garbage time pick; victory formation; Steelers win. FINAL SCORE PITTSBURGH 23 WASHINGTON 6.

Quick thoughts:

That was as fine a defensive performance by the Steelers as you'll ever see in a professional football game. The Steelers won in spite of their offense and on the sheer will and tenacity of their defense, which was constantly put under a gun of bad field position.
There is no quarterback controversy, so don't even say it. But Leftwich assumes the mantle of Charlie Batch, as best backup in the league.
Ugly, but it counts.
Willie Parker looked decent in his return to action, and Mewelde Moore continues to make his case for best bargain signing ever. More of both of these guys please. The Steelers line can actually run block a bit.
Great showing at FedEx Field by the D.C. Steelers Nation!
More Guitar Hero ads!

OK, Yinz guys ... let'er rip in the comments section -- whaddya think about tonight's game and your 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers?

Steelers-Jags live blog

Dan Gigler — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PREGAME

Comin' atcha live from the Harris Grill in Shadyside for tonight's game. A quick glance at the NFL slate today and it appears we are approaching the end times. To wit:

Tennessee remains undefeated ...
... with Kerry Collins at QB. Egad!
Miami and Atlanta are for real.
Kyle Orton threw for 334 yards in a Bears win.
In the words of Dr. Peter Venkman -- "Dogs and Cats, living together -- mass hysteria!"
Also, the 3 wins by your Steelers don't look so hot -- 2-12 combined record of teams they've beaten -- and the Eagles fall to 2-3.
Quick scan of the crowd reveals an awful lot of Terrible Towels. Looks like JAXBAG is representin' ...
So, when I think of huge men hurtling into each other in ultraviolent car-crash like collisions, with blood and sweat flying, I instantly think of Faith Hill singing a badly co-opted Joan Jett song, don't you? Seriously, that Sunday Night Football pregame video is LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME.

FIRST QUARTER

Melwelde Moore opens up going right for 12 yards, then Ben to Hines for 10 on the second play. The Steelers appear to have already equalled their offensive output from the last 3 weeks.
Stop the clock and ... 13:35 remaining first quarter, Jags register their first sack. John Henderson blows past Chris K. Next play: ...
... pick 6. Rashean Mathis, who is like the Steelers' own personal Abraham Van Helsing, gets a ball thrown DIRECTLY to him, that he returns for a TD. JAGS 7 STEELERS 0.
Some serious extracurriculars going on between Hines and Mathis. ANd to what effect -- Hines draws a personal foul immediately thereafter, and the Steelers are in business.
Ben hits ol' faithful Heath Miller over the middle on 3rd and 7. First and goal Stillers from the 4.
Ben to Heath: Touchdown. STEELERS 7 JAGS 7. Steelers put together a honey of a 7-minute drive, easily their best in 3 weeks. Jax will get their first posession of the night.
Nice kick coverage. If I can give a quick endorsement to the Harris Grill, they have 2 awesome specials during Steelers games: 1. An Imp 'n' Arn (Iron City and shot of Imperial whiskey) for $2.49. Great old school Pittsburgh there. Unfortunately, we're on the clock, so we can't imbibe, but we will stuff our gullets with FREE BACON cooked up during every game. Mmmmm ... baconnnnn ..... This has got to be the best kept secret in Pittsburgh and a stroke of sheer genius. Bacon. I say it again. Bacon. For free.

HERE WE GO BA-CON, HERE WE GO!

Jax goes ahead 14-7 on a Maurice Jones-Drew TD set up by an terrible Ike Taylor penalty on a Garrard deep pass attempt to Cocaine Cowboy Matt Jones that was ovrethrown by about 5 yards. No need to take a penalty there. JAGS 14 STEELERS 7.
Steelers going no huddle ... quarter ends after Ben keeps 'em moving on a few nifty passes to Hines and Nate ...

SECOND QUARTER

Steelers falter on 3rd and 3, sets up Automatic Skippy for a 38-yarder. Good. JAGS 14 STEELERS 10. Also, we're up to round four of free bacon. Which is great for our low-carb diets, but my body is swelling up from a nitrate attack. And cholesterol is grinding. heart. to. a. stop.
Jags get a huge kickoff return on ensuing possession but Steelers tighten up, bringing steady pressure to Garrard and keeping noted Steelers assassin Fred Taylor under wraps. Jags go 3 and out.
Steelers on the move with 10 minutes left in the 2nd. Ben getting adequate protection for a change and Arians calling a nice run/pass mix.
Ben back, sees Nate deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep and TOUCHDOWN! Steelers go ahead 17-14.
Another Jax 3 and out. Troy Polamalu, who is having perhaps his best professional season, was all over the place, blowing up Jones-Drew on one play and breaking up a pass on another. This defensive unit is championship caliber. Steelers get the ball back at midfield with 7 minutes and change remaining.
Al Michaels tells us that the Steelers are outgaining the Jags 236-41 and leading time of possession 16 minutes to six. Yet, its a 3-point game.
Nice 3rd and 6 from Ben to Heath negated by the most obvious holding call I've ever seen on Willie Colon. Ben goes for the home run ball to Nate on 3rd and 16 that misses but ... Jax called for a taunting personal foul. Steelers get a gift first down, but promptly go 3 and out.
Another 3 and out. Aaron Smith and Lamarr Woodley slam it shut on Jones-Drew on a 3rd and 2.
Steelers move it with a nice Gary Russell counter for a first down and delicious Ben to Heath pass for a first down. Steelers on the move at the two-minute warning.
Ben getting his best protection maybe of the season on this drive as he completes another first down to Heath; then Santonio climbs the ladder to pull one down and set up a first and goal from the 4.
Total miscue on 3rd down, Santonio zigs when he should've zagged and the Steelers settle for 3. Again. STEELERS 20 JAGS 14.

HALFTIME

This is shaping up to be one of those typically infuriating Steelers games in which the Steelers are absolutely decimating their opponent -- 300 total yards to 49; 21 first downs to 4; 21 minutes of posession to 9 -- yet, its still a game. By all rights, the Steelers should be about 28-7. That football is a funny game ...
Other than one God awful pass by Ben and another awful penalty by Ike, the Steelers have played their best half of football this season.
I have eaten 16 pieces of (free!) bacon.

Bacon. It's what's for dinner.

THIRD QUARTER

Jax starts off with the ball, moving it nicely before the Steelers D battens down the hatches again. Garrard gets sacked on a 3rd and 20, Jags punt.
Steelers 3 and out.
Jax keeps a drive alive after going for it on 4th and 1. They gamble again on a 4th and 7. Not so much. Steelers take over. Jones-Drew banged up too.
Another 3 and out for the Steelers. Line lets up first sack of this half. Steelers punt. Jax still in this game that frankly, they should be getting blown out.
Bacon count: 21
A fairly boring quarter comes to an end with a bunch of traded punts and sputtered out drives by both teams. Bad things portending for the Steelers though: Jax is on the move at midfield and Marvel Smith was carted off the field.

FOURTH QUARTER

Ryan Clark takes a completely unnecessary cheap shot on Matt Jones, erasing a 2nd and 16 with a first down and you can guess what happens next ... Garrard to Marcedes Lewis, touchdown. Jax inexplicably leads 21-20. This has to give you some serious agita as a Steelers fan.
Trai Essex in for Marvel and is promptly blown past by Byron Spicer for a sack. Steelers again must be living right, get first down on an incomplete 3rd and 7 due to a Jax holding call.
After an incomplete, Moore stuffed, and a Ben getting mugged on a scramble, the Steelers punt down by one with 10:30 left in a supremely aggravating game they should be leading by several touchdowns. Even JOHN MADDEN thinks the Steelers should be blowing them out in this game.
First mention of Leftwich/Garrard during this evening's telecast.
Harrison called for a pretty ticky-tacky roughing the passer call on 3rd down that extends a Jax drive. Lamarr Woodley answers with a sack and some great pressure from Chris Hoke. MJD stopped by Timmons on 2nd down setting up a 3rd and 20. Jax will punt on a 4th and 2, ball goes out of the endzone, Steelers will take over on their 20 with six minutes and change remaining.
After making a clutch grab for a first down on a 3rd and 3, Nate takes a truly stupid taunting penalty. Still first down though.
Melwelde Moore with a huge first down scamper of 20+.
Big Ben pulls a rabbit out of his hat, hitting Hines for 20 yard gain while he was getting absolutely mugged. Wow.
Steelers facing 3rd and 5 in the red zone at the 2-minute warning. Ben hurting. High drama.
Ben to Hines on the fade ... TOUCHDOWN! Awesome pass. Awesome catch. Held up on review. Steelers go for two ...
... and take a delay penalty. And miss on a pass to Big Money Miller. STEELERS 26 JAGS 21. 1:53 remaining, Jax has 2 timeouts.
Nervous moments. Need bacon.
Jax takes over on their 25 with 1:48 left.
First down: Incomplete. Second down: Screen to MJD blown up by Woodley. 3rd down: Incomplete.
4th and 9, 1:15 left. Here's the game ... Cocaine Jones gets the first by half a yard.
47 seconds left, Garrard can find no one and scrambles for a few. Jax burns a TO.
James Harrison mauls Garrard from the blind side, ball loose, Jax barely recovers and burns last timeout.
McFadden breaks up a pass to Cocaine. 4th and 14, 30 seconds left.
Aaron Smith bats down pass on 4th and 14. Ballgame. Cardiac Kids Steelers go to 4-1. Bacon all around!

FINAL SCORE STEELERS 26 JAGS 21.

Random postgame thoughts ...

Its a miracle Ben is still upright. Even though the line was ... how do we put this mildly ... not completely inept tonight, this level of abuse to the franchise cannot continue. And not just for this season. He keeps getting beat up, we're talking about years off of his career. I realize its apples and oranges, but can you imagine the Penguins letting Sid Crosby or Geno Malkin get mugged like this, game in, game out?
My roommate Craig thinks the Steelers should almost exclusivly go to 3-step drops for Ben, on nealry every passing play not only because they are the only things that seem to work and but also prevent him from being assaulted.
Despite the fact the Steelers should have blown out Jax, this was easily their best game of the season. Ben was nothing short of stellar, arguably his best effort in a regular season game in his career. The entire receiving corps stepped it up BIG TIME. Clutch grabs all around -- esp. Heath and Hines -- and Nate has his best professional game. Melwelde Moore was a terrific changeup in relief of Swift Bill Parker and Fumblerooski Mendenhall. And let's not even start with the defense. Sick. Just sick. Through 5 games I cannot remember more consistent and dominate play by a Steelers defense in years. The Steelers could legitimately be 1-4 if not for the play of this defense.
Game ended just in time to catch the extra innings of the BoSox-LAA game. Much appreciated.
Bye week coming up. This rest couldn't come at a better time for the Steelers who are like a MASH unit right now injury wise, and somehow going 3-1 in for consectutive games that were absolute barroom brawls. They get some much needed R&R this week, then the pathetic Bengals before the meat of the sked: Giants, @ Skins, Colts and Bolts.
Its almost amazing to think, but barring a breakdown of epic proportions, the Steelers pretty much have the division sewn up at this point.
They gave us victory bacon here at the Harris Grill. No kidding.
Final bacon count: 29 strips.

Among the many Halloween decorations at the Harris Grill, this "chalk outline" of a pig stands as memorial to the metric tons of bacon consumed on premesis. May said pigs have not died in vain. -- burp! --

So now, friends, we leave it to you ... drop us your thoughts on the game, and everything that the Steelers need to do during the bye-week to shore up their problems. Post your thoughts in the comments section of out blog!

Battle of Pennsylvania ...

Dan Gigler — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:39:00 GMT

... Didn't we just do this?

PREGAME

Does it seem almost unbelievable that its already been four years since the Steelers routed the Birds at Heinz Field in what was only Big Ben's sixth start?
So how much do you hate yourself for leaving Ronnie Brown on your fantasy bench ...
Bengals heading to OT with the Jints ...
Who do you root for in the Cleveland/Baltimore game? Baltimore, because if the Browns lose, they're done for as well? Or Cleveland because rooting for the Ravens in any circumstance is completely unacceptable? Or neither?
In the immortal words of Jeffrey Lebowski, "I hate the ... Eagles, man!"

Of course, the Dude was referring to Don Henley, et al., but why pick nits?

FIRST QUARTER

The Eagles open up with a smooth drive on which Donovan McNabb goes 5 for 5 and Philadelphia is poised to score -- McNabb completes his sixth pass to Tony Hunt who is positively annihilated by a pack of Steelers led by Orpheus Roye. Hunt coughs up the ball, the play is originally ruled that Hunt is down, but Tomlin challenges the play and the Steelers get the ball.
Steelers take over and start their drive passing to Heath Miller -- tight end passes! sign of the apocalypse! -- and continue moving via a few nifty passes to Santonio and Hines, and an Eagles sack that was negated by an offsides penalty. Willie Parker makes the 1000th carry of his career, but loses a yard, Not much room for the running game thus far, but that's OK -- Ben hits Nate Washington (his first catch of the season?) on 2nd and 11 for a first down. Steelers in the red zone.
Steelers falter on 3rd and 4. Jeff Reed nails a 37-yarder. Steelers lead 3-0.
In other news: Thanks for stopping by Cincinnati. See you in 2009. Giants win in OT, and Marvin Lewis prepares his resume.
Forgot to mention we are at the venerable Mario's South Side Saloon. Great place but they have the AC jacked so high you could hang meat in here.
The guy to my left notes that Andy Reid is approaching Ralph Friedgen levels of obesity. Not a good thing.
Big roar from the Steelers faithful when the Browns scored in their game against Baltimore. Guess I got an answer to my pregame question. Bigger roar when Travis Kirschke and Lamarr Woodley drop McNabb for a sack to end the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

First play of the quarter, and Westbrook limps off the field. Stay tuned ...
Eagles piecing together a nice drive, but Westbrook being taken to the lockerroom.
Flare pass from McNabb to Correll Buckhalter, who makes a terrific individual effort, literally hurdling Ike Taylor at the goalline. Touchdown Eagles. Eagles 7 Steelers 3.
McNabb is a perfect 13 for 13 so far in the game. We imagine Jim Nantz is already composing some awful prose about it.
The Steelers really need to put together a time-consuming drive right now, as their defense has been on the field for pretty much the whole game.
Mercifully, CBS is having technical problems and for a whole two minutes, we didn't have to hear Phil Simms voice. Do you believe in miracles?? YES!!
Steelers get their dive extended via a gift of a penalty on a third and 4.
More lousy protection for Big Ben. The gentleman to my left lets a blue streak go after Ben is sacked and fumbles on a third and three. Philly ball. In the plus column I am eating some ridiculously good pierogies right now. So I have that going for me. Which is nice.
McNabb is absolutely picking apart the Steelers right now, mostly on short sideline routes, but the Steelers D bends but doesn't break. Larry Foote gets to him on 2nd and short which sets up a third and 8. McNabb throws low into good coverage by Troy. Eagles settle for three. Eagles 10 Steelers 3.

Inside of MARIO'S:

The Eagles defense is blitzing the lights out of the Steelers O-line. Big Ben just got sacked twice in a row, but the Eagles defender uses Ben's facemask to bring him down. Steelers get a gift, drive stays alive. We can only hope Ben stays alive too, given the awful protection he's had so far.
Two-minute warning.
Big Ben goes for a home run ball to Nate Washington (???) in double coverage and Asante Samuel comes down with it. A really questionable call at this point, especially since the Steelers have all of their timeouts.
Ensuing possession, Lawrence Timmons brings a savage edge rush into McNabb's grill. Donovan hurriedly puts up a dying duck that's easily picked by Bryant McFadden. Steelers get a huge break with 1:37 and all their timeouts left. Ball on the Eagles 45.
After a quick hitter to Hines and a nifty inside handoff to Melwlde Moore for a first down, Ben is thrown to the turf for what has to be 79th time today. 2nd and 17.
Third and 11 and the Steelers line must be conspiring to get Big Ben killed. Not a sack, but might as well be. Maxim Reed to try a 53-yarder.
WOW. Just ... WOW. Skippy NAILS a 53-yarder, which has to be his career high. I should note that we are blogging from the home of the Jeff Reed show, so that must be some good mojo there. Eagles 10, Steelers 6.

HALFTIME

The Good: Uh ... nothing. Seriously. Oh wait. Those pierogies we mentioned. That and Jeff Reed's massive quads.

The Bad: The Steelers gameplanning thus far, on both sides of the ball. Its only a 10-6 game at this point, and they've already forsaken the run (17 yards rushing) as if they were down by three touchdowns, which frankly they should be. McNabb is shredding the Steelers D on mostly underneath routes, and without Westbrook. Were it not for a few breaks and turnovers, your black & gold could be down something like 24-3.

The Ugly: The offensive line. They truly are offensive. Ben has been sacked six times and knocked down eight more. There was a question as to whether or not Kendall Simmons would play, as his wife is about to give birth to the couple's third child any moment now. Perhaps a better question is if in fact the entire line has actually been replaced by their respective wives or newborns, so badly has their pass protection been thus far.

THIRD QUARTER

Steelers get the ball to start and do so with Willie Parker off the left side for four. Run the dang ball!
Hines incomplete. Two consecutive offsides -- TWO! (Kendall & Kemo) -- and its 3rd & 16. Incomplete. Punt. Way to start it up, boys.
Major plot twist here: McNabb is out. Kevin Kolb is in (?) -- if the Steelers can't come back and win with no McNabb and no Westbrook, they don't deserve to be on the field.
Quick unrelated editorial: this smoking ban thing in bars is great. It doesn't stink in here, which is so nice.
Holy Moses! What a pick by Troy on a deflected pass. He is a madman. Philly is challenging and they will not win this. The guys next to me do shots in honor of Troy.
Two carries to Parker for no gain. On 3rd and 10 Ben technically doesn't get sacked for a change, but gets dropped scrambling for a yard gain after his pass protection again folds like AIG.
McNabb back in with Philly on the move. The Steelers D is wilting, and its hard to blame them at this point, as they've been on the field nearly the entire game.
Spoke too soon. The D continues to persevere, forcing a Philly punt. Steelers have to make something from this posession and the line needs to MAN UP and give Ben some time to work. They're throwing him to the wolves out there.
Lo and behold, Ben actually gets some time and completes a 15 yarder to HEEEEEEEEEEATH Miller. Two runs to Willie for nothing. Third and six and the line takes their coffee break. Ben abused as he scrambles for two yards. Punt.
Gratuitous camera shot of the Eagles cheerleaders. Nice.
Steelers D refuses to quit, forces a 3 and out after a great effort by Woodley to sack McNabb. Philly punts, Steelers get the ball at midfield. The fact that they are still in this game is a near miracle.
The Steelers convert a third down via a completion to Hines. Two FWP carries for 3 yards and the Steelers face a huge 3rd and 7 as the third quarter expires.

FOURTH QUARTER

Willie Colon gets blown by like a turnstile on the Philly El, Ben is sacked for the seventh time today. Steelers out of field goal range. Punt. The citizenry here at Mario's is getting more than a little annoyed. The line should be embarrassed.
Silver lining: The Steelers are losing and still making the playoffs today. The Bengals already lost and the Browns are en route to the 0-3 club, losing 28-10 to Baltimore, who the Steelers face next Monday.
For as bad as the offense has been, the Steelers defense has been resolute, despite not getting a break at all. They force a 3 and out and an Eagles punt. Steeler ball.
Incomplete, 4 yards to Ward and the Steelers face 3rd and 6 for about the 17th time today, and we give you one guess as to what happens ... Steelers punt.
Once again, the Steelers defense proves it is a proud unit, forcing yet another Eagles punt. This comes after Woodley staples McNabb to the turf just after he lets go of an errant 3rd and 7 pass attempt. The Defense hasn't quit today, the offense hasn't quit either -- you have to at least try first to do that.
The Steelers have to go 94 yards to score. Try not to laugh.
So fitting. The Steelers once again refuse to block for Big Ben, he's flagged for grounding as he gets crushed in the end zone. By rule, that's a safety for the Eagles. The call is really questionable, it probably should've been an incomplete pass but does it really matter? Really? The Steelers frankly deserve this for how poorly they've played on offense. Eagles 12, Steelers 6.
The Steelers kickoff to the Eagles and again force them to punt. Its inconceivable to think that for as poorly as the Steelers have played, they need only score a touchdown to win. Of course to do that, they'll have to go 97 yards. Not bloody likely.
Third and 15, the Eagles pass rush continues to come like waves of soldiers landing on Omaha Beach. Ben is sacked for the 8th time and stripped of the football, Eagles recover. Game over. The effort by the Steelers offense is nothing short of a DISGRACE.
More good news, Ben is headed to the locker room. They should've put him in witness protection starting in about the second quarter.
David Akers chip shot. Eagles 15, Steelers 6.
Looks like they are working on Ben's throwing hand.
Steelers moving the ball with Byron Leftwich in, but the line proves they are equally opportunity stinkers, letting Leftwich get buried on a third and one. The Steelers inexplicably go for it on 4th down, rather than going for 3 and then trying an onside kick. That fails. Game over.

FINAL SCORE EAGLES 15 STEELERS 6.

Postgame commentary coming as soon as we get back to The Office. In the mean time, please leave us your comments on the game ...

POSTGAME

Ugh ... where to begin ... that wasn't the worst Steelers game I can think of in recent memory -- the road loss to the Raiders in 2006 and the home loss to the Ravens that same year come immediately to mind -- but it sure wasn't anything good for a team with playoff aspirations.

That was as putrid a performance by an offensive line as you could ever hope to see. They were equally incompetent in both the running (33 yards) and passing (nine sacks) games, and it wasn't any one guy that can be singled out either. All five of them absolutely stunk on ice. What's amazing is this is the same line that easily handled two allegedly superior (on paper anyway) defenses and pass rushes in Houston and Cleveland. I mean for Cripes sakes, this wasn't the '86 Bears the Steelers were playing here.

And, while Philadelphia's pass coverage was excellent, it wasn't like Ben was getting taken down by coverage sacks -- he had no time whatsoever, and could not even remotely step up in the pocket -- there was no pocket! Its as if the Eagles had just invented the blitz this week for this game and it was a concept that the Steelers had never seen before. Larry Zeirlein should be sweating. If he gets canned, we have just the guy to whip the line into shape:

Steelers lineman will earn Schrute Bucks for good play.

Game balls:

1.The Steelers defense. All 11 of 'em. They absolutely played their hearts out and kept the Steelers in a game they had absolutely no business being in, and limited a dynamic Philadelphia offense to just one touchdown. You can't ask for much more. They played well in all areas -- D-line, linebackers, secondary -- with Lamarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu in particular had monster games.

2. Big Ben. Seriously, if for no other reason than he kept his composure and professionalism rather than blowing a gasket and chewing out his lineman in full view of the TV cameras on the sidelines or clubbing their kneecaps with a tire iron in the huddle.

3. The timekeeper. For turning the clock to all zeroes when this abysmal showing was finally over.

Final thoughts: The good news is that this was just one game, and we're pretty confident that Coach Tomlin will get mideval on some guys in practice this week. At least they know where there problems lie. Better to air the dirty laundry in week three than say, week 13.

On a positive note, the defense has continued it's near flawless play this season, and that's how you win championships. So that's good. When the schedule came out and you saw the Steelers playing at Cleveland and at Philly in subsequent weeks, you had to figure a split was an acceptable and realistic scenario.

And that's what we have. The Steelers are sitting at 2-1 with Baltimore -- the only other team with a pulse in the division (though not for much longer, methinks) -- coming to town on Monday night. We think the Steelers might take out some frustrations on their favorite whipping boys ... just like last year:

Steelers-Panthers live blog

Dan Gigler — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:09:00 GMT

PREGAME

It ends tonight. Thank merciful God, it ends tonight. We speak not of political conventions -- there will still be another of those next week (and nothing screams excitement like Republicans in Minnesota!) -- but rather the Steelers preseason, the most boring one ... maybe ever ... ends tonight and we can get on with the real games, but we are determined to man our station and blog this game. Can we do it? YES WE CAN!

But why? Why should we even care? Here's why, the most heated position battle still at stake: Mitch Berger vs. Paul Ernster for starting punter ... ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ... even their names are boring! Other than that we can come up with three other important reasons to watch:

1. Willie Reid vs. Dallas Baker for the 5th WR spot

2. One more chance to boo Ricardo Colclough and curse him for that dropped punt 2 seasons ago (he's on Carolina's roster)

3. Make sure no one gets hurt. And I mean NO ONE. No less than FIVE starters on BNG's Fantasy Team could play tonight (that being Big Ben, Santonio, Maxim Reed, Hands Mendenhall, and the Panthers DeAngelo Williams) and any injuries will be devastating to the fightin' Chigurh Friend-O's, who plan to use this personnel to go through the Stu Scott's Eyelid Fantasy League this season like this man with a cattle gun:

Care to toss a coin?

FIRST QUARTER

OK, sorry to have left you. My computer went all PC Load Letter on me and I had to -- BORROW ONE -- from one of the kind patrons down here at Excuses on the South Side. The good news is, that you havent missed much. Here's a low down:

Willie Parker had a really nice run off of right tackle. This just in: he's still fast
Justin Hartwig showed he earned the starting center spot by promptly sending a shotgun snap over Ben's head.
Bryant McFadden had a pick, making his case to push Deshea for playing time.
Carey Davis bulled his way for a touchdown.
Maxim Reed hits two FG's, one particularly long.
Mendenhall puts the ball on the ground -- somebody on Carolina gets $500!
Sweed makes a sweet grab in the endzone, but neglects to remember he's no longer in Austin and doesn't keep 2 feet in.
Edmund Nelson makes frequent use of the Tomlin-ism "gap integrity" during the play-by-play.

Still getting caught up ... bear with us ...

TWO MINUTE WARNING

So frazzled, I forgot the score 13-3 Steelers ...

OK, so as mentioned we're at Excuses on the South Side a place known for great wings and great live music. If you're not familiar with the place, here's 2 big reasons why you should get to know it:

1. They have a leg lamp in the window like in "A Christmas Story"

"It's a major award!"

2. It is the home base of the Ike Taylor fan club:

Ike's pal Alisa.

Its a cool story -- a gang from Excuses used to go to the NFL Draft every year in New York, and they met Ike there on the day he was drafted and decided to form an old style "Lambert's Lunatics" fan club for him. By pure happenstance, Ike took up residence at the new condos at South Side Works almost across the street from the bar. He is a regular -- they keep San Pelligrino water in stock for him because he doesn't drink -- and they've gotten to know his family who stop by when they are in town. There are pictures on the bar wall of Alisa and the other regulars with The Bus, Mike Tomlin, Mike Logan, and of course, Ike, who have all been by the bar.

Other things we forgot as we struggle to get our bearings ... Dallas Baker had a nice catch, and Willie Reid a decent return. Tough pickins for that 5th WR spot. Limas Sweed had a shot at a gorgeous grab but dropped it. Its 13-6 at the half, and we promise to give you a better effort for the second half, provided our computer doesn't die again ...

By the way, we owe our life to the guy below, Rob Schultz, who lent us his computer after ours died ...

Rob. He rules.

SECOND HALF

Special teams scrapper Arnold Harrison is hurt on the kickoff. No details.
Jerome Bettis is spotted by KDKA's camera on the sideline.
By the way, we're skipping our timeline updates because of the computer problems earlier.
Hands Mendenhall is 17 for 73 yards midway through the third quarter and slashing his way through Carolina's D on this drive.
On 3rd and 14 Limas misses a grab in traffic he probably should've had. Bring on Maxim. It's good -- Steelers 16, Carolina 6.

FOURTH QUARTER

1. We've seen precious little to like in this preseason from the area that is of utmost concern -- the line. Something has to come together here, and offensive lines are groups that are largely dependent on a rhythm. In defense of the starting five, they've seen little game action together, so maybe this will work itself out. Will they miss Faneca? Obviously, but keep in mind Alan's play had declined the past two years. Last night on ESPN2 they were showing the Jets 2007 yearbook and they had a piece about the re-vamped line with two great clips of Faneca pancaking guys. Only problem, one was from Super Bowl XL, the other from a 2003(!) game against the Ravens when Tommy Maddox was the starter. They then showed highlights of the Jets beating the Steelers 19-16 in OT and at least 3 times you'd see Ben getting sacked with Faneca running behind his man, who had clearly beaten him.

2. Rashard Mendenhall has shown some flashes of great potential, followed by flashes of becoming the next Tim Worley. Hold your breath when he gets the ball when the games start counting, for reasons both good and bad.

3. Lamarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons could become the most explosive young linebacker combo in the league. Stay tuned.

4. Jeff Reed is your preseason MVP.

5. When he was in and when he got time, Big Ben threw lasers to Santonio and Hines Ward. The passing game could be deadly. IF Ben gets time. IF.

6. Troy Polamalu where are youuuuuu?

7. Ernster ... Berger. Who cares. Neither of them is Robo-punter and the Steelers may yet pick up someone who gets cut by another team.

8. Keyaron Fox has been a nice surprise, and could be the kind of special teams maniac that becomes a starter in the league some day. See: Harrison, James; Roye, Orpheus.

9. Have we seen the last of Charlie Batch in a Steelers uni?

10. Preseason games are painful to watch at times.

OK, that's a starting point for now. We'll open up the postgame thread shortly. Again a huge thanks to the kind folks at Excuses (their grilled wings are really good) and Rob Schultz for letting us use his computer. FINAL: STEELERS 19 CAROLINA 16.

Steelers-Vikings game thread

Dan Gigler — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:41:00 GMT

PREGAME

Welcome folks! Coming at you this evening from the al fresco environs of the Double Wide Grill on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, making attempt no. 2 to live blog tonight's proceedings. Here's where we are:

Have seen a number of Terrible Towels here already, which got me thinking -- do you go Towel in preseason? Given that the game doesn't count, does this exhaust the Towel's supply of mojo for the season? Or is it a something of a protective force to keep starters free from injury, which will be of utmost importance tonight as Gene Collier notes. Still though, as preseason games go, number 3 is usually the one most worth watching because its the one where the starters will log the most action, so you'll get your best look at the Hartwig-Mahan battle, for instance.

Anyway, kickoff is on the way ...

FIRST QUARTER

Decent return by Mendenhall to start the game.

14:55 -- Game number 2 that the Steelers open throwing to the tight end. The apocolypse is upon us.

14:15 -- Parker for nothing. The right side is typically porous.

13:30 -- No time for Ben. Simmons get embarrassed. Punt. Nice kick and coverage.

13:12 -- My friend Craig shoots beer threw his nose laughing when he sees that Gus Ferrotte is starting for the Vikes.

13:03 -- Aaron Smith tears through the line for a sack and flexes his bicepts - not sure if it was the injured one or not but good to see him back.

12:30 -- Purple Jesus and consensus number one fantasy pick the world over Adrian Peterson is stuffed.

11:34 -- The Vikings vaunted o-line trying to set a record for false starts.

11:00 -- Peterson again snuffed out by Ryan Clark on a screen.

10:30 -- Hold your breat. Santonio on punt return. And a lackluster one at that. Putting him there NOT WORTH THE RISK!

Nice outfit:

9:49 -- A nice freelance by Ben and FWP, but again the line play is not looking good.

8:30 -- They are riding Parker this series, but not really to great effect.

7:45 -- Ben to Hines, Short. No huddle. Ben sneaks. Stuffed. Measurement confirms. You need one dang yard and you have HOW MANY running backs??

6:35 -- The Steelers D is handling Peterson, speaking to the one-dimensionality of the Vikes. This will not bode well for Minnesota over the course of the season, regardless of how well their line plays.

Nick points out that Gus Frerotte is older than Mike Tomlin.

6:00 -- Direct snap to FWP with Big Ben in motion. The play goes for nothing, but we kinda like the thinking here. Even money says they do this during the season except with Dennis Dixon.

3:40 -- Another lackluster possession. The nice thing about the Double Wide is that if this game lapses into total boredom oblivion, we can play Baggo, or maybe live blog other people playing Baggo out on the patio.

2:00 -- Three & out by the Vikes, and a fantastic defenseive stand by the Steelers. Casey Hampton absolutely blows up the first down run, Peterson gets stuffed again and Timmons bears down on Frerotte on 3rd down. You could hear the fear in the old man. Please note that this particular blogger did not like that pick and that this particular blogger retracts said statement.

1:01 -- Steelers take over and Mendenhall is tracked down and stripped by Pat Williams in a great individual play. Welcome to the league, kiddo.

0:21 -- Foote is down, Timmons get burned in middle coverage.

END OF QUARTER

14:50 -- Ty Carter is playing his mind out right now, stuffing Peterson and making a play at the goal line.

14:12 -- Peterson over the top for six, but there's a flag ... against Ike Taylor.

Nick notes that Dan Dierdorf is in the top 3 of people you don't want to see in HD. The other 2 - Bill Parcells and Tony Kornheiser.

13:20 -- After a decent first down run by FWP, Big Ben audibles, gets protection and throws ro Heath Miller who makes a gutsy catch in the middle. Big Ben is promptly sacked on the next play because this line has yet to show an ability to string together two successive good plays.

12:10 -- Big Ben sacked again. Steelers go to the always reliable "draw to the third RB on 3rd & 20" play that nets 3 yards. Punt.

10:46 -- Just after they flash Frerotte's 6 for 8 game line, he throws a bad pick to Ike Taylor, who, repeat after me: HOLDS. ON. TO. THE. BALL.

10:40 -- FWP bounces like a pinball for nine on first down, a penalty negates his nice push up the middle for a first down. Steelers looking at third and change now.

9:21 -- Ben gets protection and hits Melwelde Moore who makes a nice move for a first. Methinks Mewelde will prove to be a great pickup as the season progresses.

7:39 -- Big Ben way off on a slant to Santonio.

7:36 -- Santonio absolutely buried on a WR screen in which Sean Mahan clearly decided not to participate. Nick suggests that next time they just throw SH a barrell of concrete, as he'll get just as crushed. Big Ben misses on 3rd & 14. Jeff Reed -- Maxim's kicker of the year -- hits a layup. Vikes 7, Steelers 3.

5:52 -- Nick notes -- and we can't agree more -- it clearly looks like the Steelers worked on tackling drills this week. The Vikes are getting no YAC, and the tackling is much cleaner.

5:10 -- Frerotte evades Timmons by a gnat's eyelash and completes a pass for a first, then is snuffed out by Brett Keisel. James Harrison is tried for attempted murder after trying to kill Frerotte on the next play. Vikes punt.

1:58 -- Steelers forced to punt after another lackluster posession. Right now the offense looks putrid, there is really no other way to put it.

HALFTIME

OK ... quick summation -- defense fantastic, offense crap. The Steelers are positively OWNING Purple Jesus. Lamarr Woodley and Timmons are BEASTS. This could be Lambert/Ham for the new generation. The interior D-Line is really solid, the tackling much better. This is the Steelers defense you know and love. Hungry and mean. Offense, not so much. Big Ben looks OK, same with FWP. The line is a disgrace at this point, and its no one guy. Its like on any given play, 4 out of 5 lineman are completely blowing their assignments.

SECOND HALF

15:00 Nice kick coverage to start the second half.

13:50 -- Adrian Peterson is mortal.

12:45 -- Peterson stuffed again but the Vikes are moving on the arm prowess of -- don't laugh -- Gus Frerotte.

10:51 -- Peterson smashed by Primanti's spokesman Casey Hampton. The run D is really solid tonight.

10:10 -- Minnesota FG. Vikes 10, Steelers 3.

10:06 -- Byron Leftwich in. The line cares not to protect him either.

9:31 -- Mendenhall with a great carry after getting contact at the line.

8:21 -- Mendenhall two carries for 3 yards after that.

7:40 -- Leftwich to Limas Sweed in triple coverage incomplete but the drive is extended by a penalty.

Err ... wrong Swedes ...

4:50 -- Steelers going for it on 4 & 2 ... timeout. Nice little out to Willie Reid -- first down!

4:31 -- Gary Russell in the house. But he's stuffed. Perhaps more importantly, Nick notices that Mike Tomlin starting to grow a gut, much to the dismay of every Pittsburgh woman who loves the guy -- and we mean you PittGirl!.

3:09 -- Maxim poster boy Jeff Reed good for 3. Vikes 10, Steelers 6.

1:03 -- Vikes with a 3 and out. Anthony Madison continues to make a case for a roster spot with a nice third down tackle, and decent return by Mewelde Moore.

0:50 -- Mendenhall with a bus-esque run up the middle. Granted its against backups, but you like to see that. Again they flash the graphic about the Steelers having the hardest schedule, but with the parity reign in the NFL, we'll see how that actually pans out. BNG is already on record as saying that the Giants will be 6-10. And what the heck, we'll say that the Colts will be bad just to tick off our pal and PG layout man extraordinarre Ben Howard.

FOURTH QUARTER

14:17 -- Steelers get a break on a roughing call against Minny. Drive alive, first down.

14:10 -- We aren't gonna lie, this game is borderline excrutiating to watch and we may start to blog the baggo action outside.

13:33 -- Mendenhall continues to get the carries, to little effect.

12:16 -- Billy Latsko, who we think should be running a roofing buisness in McKeesport with a last name like that -- hauls in a nice short pass and gets a first down on second effort.

11:47 -- Scratch that earlier remark -- Mendenhall off the left side for a first down.

10:06 -- Maxim good for 3. Vikings 10 - Steelers 9.

9:32 -- John David Booty is your Minnesota quarterback. Minnesota may have the worst QB trio in the history of football. Wait -- who backed up Mark Malone? Bubby, then who? That's a bad trio right there.

8:38 -- Arnold Harrison with a terrific speed rush and sack. Vikes punt.

8:20 -- A Dan Deirdorff retrospective on the screen. Where are the barf bags? Nothing like a self-aggranddizing broadcaster getting to watch himself. Meanwhile Mendanhall does some nice things. Willie Reid makes a nice catch and a case for the roster. Megan notes, "Limas Sweed is tall." Good work.

4:28 -- Dallas Baker -- BNG's personal fave -- makes a nice catch in traffic, and again ups his stock. And ... Rashard Mendenhall FUMBLES AGAIN.

2:25 -- We're approaching the two-minute warning here and thank the almighty. Someone wearing No. 18 (Harry Newsome?) returns a punt. Megan and Nick both note that Byron Leftwich apparently has been on the diet that Casey Hampton should have been on.

Two-minute warning: We've put Megan and her excellent musical tastes on the case of the jukebox here which for the last half hour has been dominated by someone with a penchant for horrible metal. Also, the Hoegarrden girls are giving out free beer, much to the delight of Ben, Craig, Megan Molly. OK, back to the game ...

1:13 -- Leftwich to Limas Sweed on a 4th and 4. First down!

Err ... Wrong Swede.

1:13 -- Play is under review but he got it. Craig notes that Brad Childress looks like a jerk of a high school chemistry teacher.

0:37 -- Busted play of a sneak as the play clock runs out.

0:31 -- Dallas Baker with a great catch in coverage. Maxim lines up to win it ...

0:09 -- It's good! Crowd goes wild ...

STEELERS WIN 12-10

POSTGAME: Major progress forward on defense. The D-line was terrific, Casey Hampton is already in old form as is Aaron Smith. Run defense was solid and as noted before, Timmons and Woodley were beasts, as was James Harrison. They clearly heeded his call this week, and that's a good thing, and frankly the type of leadership that's been missing on the defense since 2005. Offense: bad. That line is a wreck. There is absolutely nothing good to take away from the offensive performance.

Enjoy the weekend ...

Steelers-Bills live game blog

Dan Gigler — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:20:00 GMT

PREGAME

So, we're trying something new here, based on the inspriration of this great American. We're "live" as it were at Smokin' Joe's on the South Side, watching the game, and hoping to give running commentary on it. Bear with us, as we try and navigate this. Oh, and since the Steelers are in Canada, if anything happens injury-wise to any Steelers starters tonight, blame these two:

FIRST QUARTER

Tight End! Tight End! The Steelers open the game throwing to the tight end! A 6-yard completion to Matt Spaeth no less! What's next? In the word's of Dr. Peter Venkman -- "Dogs and Cats, living together! Mass hysteria!"
Steelers are putting together a nice opening drive. Ben is sharp but already getting too much pressure, nonetheless, a couple of sweet passes to Santonio and Hines. The boy looks good.
Holding on the new center Hartwig. My friend Nick makes the trenchant observation that if you're gonna hold someone, it should go for more than 3 yards.
Colon holds, Ben under pressure ... and PICK. Ugly.
Bills possession opens up - Trent Edwards, who has a name like a soap opera doctor completes two in a row, under absolutely no rush from the Steelers front line
Marshawn Lynch -- a hot pick for you fantasy drafters -- runs straight over Ryan Clark.
Steelers middle getting shredded. Lynch rolls again.
Bill Toland notes that James Harrison has shiny muscles.
Touchdown Buffalo. 7-0 Bills.
SPAETH!
Steelers punt - Paul Ernster lets fly a beaut but Nate Washington blows the coverage.
Best jersey of the night:

END OF QUARTER:

BILLS 7 STEELERS 0

Ike Taylor gets burned. Double Down Trent Edwards looks like Fran Tarkenton right now.

The secondary is getting absolutely destoyed. Bills 14-0. But someone played Ring of Fire on the jukebox so hey, its all good.

Nice socks:

Big Ben to Hines like a laser.
This should have been noted a while ago, but Rashard Mendenall is wearing the number of such Steeler luminaries as Walter Abercrombie and LeRoy Thompson. Bad mojo, mo fraire.
Mewelde Moore with a nice catch out of the backfield. Exactly what they got him for.
SANTONIO!!! WHAT a nice throw and catch. Touchdown Steelers, eh?? The first team O redeems itself, and we expect to see the Steelers debut of Byron Leftwich on the next possession. Bills 14, Steelers 7.
Steelers D forces a dominant three and out, but its hard to glean anything from that as it was against J.P. Losman. Might as well have been against Sammy Baugh. And by that we mean present day Sammy Baugh (He's 94).
WE ARE MARSHALL! Byron Leftwich opens his Steelers career with a completion and Matthew McConaghey runs out and pats him on the back.
Two straight completions to Nate Washington. This Marhsall-Tiffin connection is lethal.
Third and 2 and ... incomplete. Isn't this why the Steelers are carrying a metric ton of Running Backs on the roster? To get TWO YARDS???
Shank. Bills take over.
Nice batted down pass by Nick Eason, but it's against Losman, so it doesn't actually count.
Nick questions whether the Steelers are bothering to run actual tackling drills in Latrobe.
And now we see why Jacksonville released Leftwich ...

HALFTIME -- BILLS 14, STEELERS 7

Note to self: Next time you live blog from a remote location, pick a spot that pipes in the game audio feed. Nothing wrong with the Stones on the juke, but missing Edmund Nelson's generally insightful commentary.

THIRD QUARTER

Timmons gets mauled.
Again with the no tackling thing. Last I checked its an important tenet of the game.
Bills FG. 17-7.
Smokin' Joe's wings -- it's what's for dinner.

Willie Reid with a nice return. Again, hard to take anything from that given that all the scrubinskis are starting to enter the game.
Breen's awesome vintage shirt. She paid 95 cents for it at the Red, White & Blue thrift store.

Ummm - sign the Bills punter. That thing must've gone 75-yards in the air.
Limas Sweed finally get the ball tossed his way ... incomplete.

Err ... wrong Swede.

Mendenhall gets two the hard way. First & goal Steelers.
Touchdown Mendenhall! Max Starks with a sweet block on the play. Bills 24 Steelers 14.
Bob Ligashesky is sweating a little right now. Bills go end-to-end on the kickoff return, setting off a firestorm of profanity from the guy at the end of the bar.
Leftwich to Bill Latsko on the Steelers subsequent possession. Latsko sounds like he should be running a refrigeration company or something. Like Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration.

FOURTH QUARTER

Dennis Dixon at quarterback. He promptly demonstrates his ability to heave the ball 65-yards. Would be nice if it was to an open receiver. The man has the ugliest throwing motion I've ever seen.
Mitch Berger crushes a punt, exactly when he didn't need to. Out of the end zone, no chance for the coverage team to get at it.
Multiple close-ups of Anthony Smith. Can't be good what they're saying, BUT I CAN'T HEAR IT, so instead we'll let Bill Toland fill in the commentary: "Anthony Smith: Jerk Store."
I'm informed by a member of our party that her cousin is dating the ref. Seriously. This is the same member of the party who ordered a Framboise, which is OK for pre-season, but way too frou-frou for the regular season. Get a man beer, for cripes sake.
More Toland insight: "Dennis Dixon: He's fast." That was a gorgeous scramble, and Mike Tomlin should find a way to work him into the lineup. Seriously, you're gonna give this guy the clip board when he could be the ultimate changeup? Dream up some set with Hines under center and Dixon split wide. At bare minimum it will force a timeout from the opposition. Good gamesmanship. Bills 24 Steelers 21.
Toland: "Why is Jeff Verszyla wearing a sweater in the middle of August?" And an argyle one, no less.
Two-minute warning. Thank you dear lord, we'll be delivered from this sloppy mess of a football game soon.
Dixon to Dallas Baker touchdown maker with 10 seconds left ... hail mary and ... no ...

FINAL SCORE BUFFALO BILLS 24 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 21

POSTGAME

First of all, thanks for sticking with us ... we'd like to do this throughout the season but tonight was a dry run, just to get the feel of it. Jerry Micco will be doing it from home games, and I'll give it my best for the away frays. Also, a quick thank you to the friends who were nice enough to hang with me whilst I toiled. You can see them here. You can imagine this was a hard sell: "Hey guys -- wanna go to Smokin' Joe's and watch me work and type while you get to gorge wings, drink beer and watch the Steelers? You do? Wow, thanks for being such troopers." Although Bill Toland said it was practically the same as watching Picasso work a canvas. Then he bust out laughing.

And now, we open it up to you -- leave us comments on how we did, and what can be better.