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HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- The Steelers and Ravens gave us exactly what we wanted. Exciting, competitive and just enough snarl to make us all smile and get out of our seats. Seeing these rivals tussle Sunday was like the smell of a fresh-cut grass in the first week of spring. It’s welcomed by everyone — except maybe the NFL league office.
Speaking of the league, aren’t there enough real problems in the world without people having to fine JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner for showing too much leg?
Sock violations? What is this, the Victorian Age?
We should be focused on football. And the Steelers’ 28-24 win Sunday in Baltimore took me back to what “real football” is. It showcased what makes this rivalry great now and for years to come. These two teams are like the good twin versus the mischievous twin and, depending on who you’re rooting for, it can be either.
Now, let’s get on with this week’s observations:
• A hard-fought, come-from-behind road win demonstrates Pittsburgh’s mettle, and it illustrates the Steelers have what it takes to win every week. I’m not saying they're the 1972 Dolphins, but those old heads from South Beach might need to keep that champagne corked for a long time this year. These Steelers (7-0) should keep rolling against this schedule and, if anything, they are positioning themselves to be AFC North champs.
• Mike Tomlin starts each season by telling everyone in the building — players, training-room staff, weight-room attendants, secretaries, the guy delivering the FedEx packages — that winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal. But it starts with dominating the division. The Steelers are 2-0 in the AFC North with two games remaining against the Bengals and the Ravens having to come to Heinz Field on Thanksgiving night. We’re at top of the division by two games and the boys are giving themselves a real shot at getting their hands on that long-awaited seventh “Sticky Lombardi.”
• Building a lead in the division also gives coaches the luxury of resting a few guys who are banged up. Don’t forget, the Steelers were forced to take an early-season bye week because of the COVID-19 outbreak involving the Titans. History shows us the Steelers are capable of capturing the Super Bowl as a lower seed as they did in 2005, but winning the division, getting some home playoff games and hopefully a first-round bye is the preferred route to a championship celebration.
• Beating the Browns as they did wasn’t really all the gratifying to the current team, if you ask me. It was more of a reality check to the Browns, who lost again on Sunday to the Raiders. That 38-7 romp over Cleveland did, however, prove consistency and hard-nosed football will defeat anyone — even if they swing a helmet at your backup quarterback. Yeah, I didn’t forget.
• You think Ben Roethlisberger sits up at night fretting that he’s the only starting quarterback in the AFC North never to win a Heisman Trophy? Some people have actually raised this as a talking point. It reminds me of the response from old hockey goalie Patrick Roy, who once responded to criticism by saying, “I can't really hear what (they) said because I've got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears.” The Heisman-less quarterback is undefeated this season — he’s thrown 15 touchdowns to four interceptions — and already has beaten Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. Of course, the goal is always bigger than making headlines in Pittsburgh.
The win over the Browns put Cleveland on notice. The win over the Ravens put the rest of the league on notice. And yet, the credit given to the current team is always filled with backhanded compliments, never a full stamp of approval. There are certain teams that are more desirable than the Steelers on the national stage, and that’s highly confusing. This is the best team in America, and it’s not close.
• The defense is good enough to line up against anyone. Meanwhile, new-look Ben is playing inside his box and taking everything opposing defenses are giving him. And let’s not forget our offensive line. This restructured group has faced some of the game’s elite pass rushers — Bradley Chubb, J.J. Watt, Yannick Ngakoue, Calais Campbell and Myles Garrett. The blocking and Ben’s quick releases have resulted in just 10 sacks. Let that sink in.
• With every win, the bull's-eye becomes bigger. But guys continue to step up to the challenge. It shows how the Steelers are able to promote from within and develop players better than most teams in the league. Look at Robert Spillane with that big pick-six against Lamar. When the young linebacker came to the sideline, you could tell the love and excitement from his teammates was genuine.
• Sunday’s win allowed Tomlin to became the winningest Black coach in the league, passing his mentor Tony Dungy for the title.
• With all the division and chaos in our country right now, it’s good to have this team providing an escape on weekends. Whether they lose at some point this year, you have to appreciate the show these Steelers are putting on each week.
• The mindset is different, and it’s apparent. No one is putting self in front of the team. In a year when Vance McDonald could be a household name with his natural athletic ability, he’s yet to complain about Eric Ebron being the go-to tight end. That stuff doesn’t go unnoticed in the locker room.
• Fantasy football owners are probably livid with Ben because he’s spreading the ball around to everyone. You simply can’t tell who’s going to be the hot guy from week to week.
There’s always going to be nitpicking, but every game the Steelers find a way to answer the doubters. From the front office adding Avery Williamson, to Ben showing his rebuilt elbow is up to the task, to Tomlin demonstrating his longevity and consistency at an elite level, this organization is doing it right.
I don’t know how the election will turn out but when it comes to the NFL, these Steelers are looking super with nearly half the season’s precincts having already reported.