Steelers Overreaction Too Soon and Week 11 Picks

Local sports talk and talk radio in Pittsburgh this week was dominated with overreaction to the Steelers loss last Sunday night to the Patriots. Grant it, the loss was not pretty. New England dominated the game on both sides of the ball for pretty much the entire game. But let’s be realistic here, in the last two Steelers’ losses they were up against world class QBs in Drew Brees and Tom Brady who were both fresh off one of their worst individual performances in years. It was no surprise to see both come out and play the way they did against the Steelers. Players of that caliber simply do not have two games in a row below par.

The Steelers are still 6-3 and in great position both IN the AFC North race and in the Conference. Sure the loss puts a big importance on today’s game with the Raiders, but if someone would have told you before the season that the Steelers would be sitting 6-3 and tied with the Ravens for the division lead heading into Week 11, I’m guessing most fans would have been ecstatic. I spent part of this week in Chicago on business and the Bears fans could not be more pleased with a 7-3 record. A Steelers win today would push Pittsburgh to 7-3 and Steelers fans should be just as happy. Expectations are certainly higher in the Steel City, and after last year’s midseason collapse I understand the worry, but the Steelers are in great position right now to make their push towards the playoffs. I joked with a buddy that it was the Steelers intention to refocus the team and squash the panic talk by turning attention to Jeff Reed and his dismissal. The Steelers have some worries, like the lack of pass rush against the Patriots and the injuries on the offensive line, but a win today and the Steelers are right where they want to be.

On to the Week 11 picks. Last week I cashed in at 8-6, a rare above .500 week for me over the last month or so. Let’s see if I can carry over some momentum…

(Home Team in Caps)

PITTSBURGH (-7) over Oakland
MINNESOTA (+3) over Green Bay
Washington (+7) over TENNESSEE
JACKSONVILLE (-1.5) over Cleveland
Baltimore (-10) over CAROLINA
DALLAS (-6.5) over Detroit
Houston (+7) over NEW YORK JETS
Arizona (+8) over KANSAS CITY
CINCINNATI (-5.5) over Buffalo
Seattle (+12) over NEW ORLEANS
Atlanta (-3) over SAINT LOUIS
Tampa Bay (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO
Indianapolis (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over New York Giants
SAN DIEGO (-10) over Denver
Chicago (+1) over MIAMI (Thursday night)
(This Week: 1-0; Last Week: 8-6; Overall: 63-75-6)