Football Parity Gods Got Our Number

Well, this year is turning out to be pretty interesting. They really seemed poised to me to make a strong run for a title repeat. The defense is pretty much intact and the offense is only missing Bettis. The return game did miss Randel El over the first 3 weeks, but hopefully Willie Reid will put an end to that. Ben knocked a lot of rust off this week, so hopefully he's back on track. The scheduling Gods are just as much to blame as anyone as we've faced some pretty good teams so far without getting the benefit of a cupcake game. However, there is no excuse for losing to someone starting their 5th game at QB in my opinion. The fact that LeBeau couldn't get more pressure on Rivers is either bad game planning or superb pickups by their blitz blocking schemes. I'm not sure which it was at this point. I know Willie Parker will be seeing Jamal Williams in his sleep for a few nights. This game was different than the Bengals game but in some aspects it was the same. It was another game that we seemed to have in hand, and then it just got away. The coverage Townsend supplied on the TD was perfect. It was just a perfect pass from Rivers. My thoughts here are scattered because I'm trying to remember everything that caught my attention - but I wasn't happy with a few things. The trick play early in the game on the punt was atrocious. In a game that you know is going to be a defensive struggle, I don't know how you pass up the opportunity to pin them deep in their own territory. Not only that - the play looked idiotic and sandlot - not like most of their trick plays. On the flea-flicker, I can't believe Ben chose to let that one fly. Holmes was obviously covered, double covered in fact. His only other option there was to throw it too far so if Holmes didn't outrun them while the ball was in the air - it would fall incomplete. Davenport seemed to have some early success but was then yanked after one failed run. The pass rush got to Rivers when they called it early. When it stopped getting to him (or stopped being called) he carved them up which is why they lost this game. We have some real talent in our defensive backfield and to get torched by Eric Parker and whoever the heck the other clown is IS HORRIBLE! I saw Troy overrun several pursuits. Who knows what else I can't remember, I'm just a tad disgusted. I guess the football gods have said - "well, you had your fun last year...now it's someone else's turn." Yeah, you can stomp your feet and complain loudly and not be happy at all that they're 1-3, but just think how many teams have never sniffed a Super Bowl win or even appeared in one and it kind of puts it all in perspective for me. I got to enjoy a Super Bowl win and one the greatest runs through the playoffs off all-time. I don't need to be greedy......but geez, if they're going to miss the playoffs, it would be nice to miss at 10-6 instead of 6-10. Seems like the only shot we have now depends on us sweeping the Ravens and beating the Bengals in Cincinnati. There is little room for error and 3 more losses will eliminate us. Basically we have to finish 10-2 which isn't unheard of, but putting two 5-1 streaks together seems like a longshot right now. I wish since Ben had such a bad offseason and the appendectomy that he could have got his feet wet against the Titans, the Browns or the Niners. That's why repeating is so hard. If Cowher is considering retirement, it will be much easier to do with half the city calling for his job anyway. It could also embolden him to stay. Stay Tuned.