I’m a far bigger college football fan than a pro football fan… except for my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.
Outside of the past 4 years, while Nebraska has played mostly sissy football, each team is known for tough defense, passionate play, overachieving, and crazy fans.
This Sunday, the Stillers have a chance to knock off the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL… the New England Patriots.
I’ve had my eye on this game for several weeks and so have followed to news related to it more than I usually follow any NFL news and I found this great list of 33 reasons why the Steelers will beat the Patriots.
Some favs:
No. 1: Pittsburgh is a city with its priorities in order. The first thing you see at the airport are two life-sized mannequins: one is of patriot George Washington, clad in red, white and blue and looking like he stepped off the side of New England’s helmet; and the other is Franco Harris making his Immaculate Reception. Franco’s mannequin looks like he could take George.
No. 5: Here’s what I mean: “You take a little bit of football out of them with every hit you make,” says linebacker James Farrior, the heart and soul of Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense. “Especially with wide receivers and quarterbacks, that’s what you have to do: take a little bit of football out of them with each hit.”
No. 12: Fourteen of the Patriots’ starters are players they drafted. They stock their team with cost-effective, young talent through the draft which frees up considerable money to go after the last few pricey ingredients in free agency. They coach up players from the late rounds. They do not overpay for aging players or take an emotional approach to keeping their own veterans. All concepts the Steelers pioneered long before Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli came along.
No. 20: No. 3: The Andy Warhol bridge. Iron City beer. Mister Rogers. And Sidney Crosby.
No. 28: Normally a right tackle, Max Starks is playing great right now at left tackle. On Sunday night he shut down Cincinnati’s best lineman, Justin Smith.
