Steel City Jim

As you know, the Steelers had their bye on Sunday. Interestingly, Mike Tomlin gave his players the entire week off. This created some speculation pro and con in these parts. Some felt that they should have been practicing at least a little. But some say that as the bye week came almost in the middle of the season, giving them some time to themselves was a great idea. We'll see what happens the rest of the season.

I was interested in some games that were played Sunday, mainly for what effect they may have on the Steelers for the rest of 2009. The crucial game was the Ravens-Broncos. The Steelers play the Broncos next Monday night in Denver, and they have two games against the Ravens (Nov. 29 and Dec. 27).

I think that the tone of the Ravens-Broncos game was set on the very first play from scrimmage. The Broncos had taken the kickoff and on the first play Orton faded to pass. But off the left side of the Ravens' line, Jarret Johnson blitzed and buried Orton before he quite knew what time it was. Johnson came in untouched. The Broncos were not prepared for the type of physical play of the Ravens, and while they tried valiantly, the Ravens took it to them on the ground and in the air.

As the Steelers play a similar style of physical football as the Ravens, Orton and company will be well advised to go to school on the Ravens game in their preparation for the Steelers. What is of great concern to Steelers fans is that the game will be played in Denver in that thin air. That will be advantageous to the Broncos. The Steelers will just have to prepare for it.

I was also interested in the Giants-Eagles game. I think the results show that the Eagles are for real, particularly when McNabb is on, and that the Giants aren't quite there right now.

The other game that was of note was the return of Favre to Lambeau Field and his ability to bounce back and defeat his old team in their backyard. Favre and Peterson are a lethal combination. If Favre can remain healthy, the Vikings will be a force down the stretch and into the playoffs.

It looks like the Jets have settled in as a better than average but not a championship caliber team. Miami undressed them Sunday. Wasn't that Ginn a find for Miami?

Congrats to the Rams for ending a long losing streak.

-- In Sunday night's World Series game, the $200 million prevailed over the $113 million. I thought the game was pretty much over when the $200 million took a two-run lead in the top of the first. I didn't think Blanton would do much. But he settled down and the $113 million came from behind to tie the game going into the ninth.

It was past my bedtime at this point and since I really don't have a dog in this race, I went to sleep. But $13 million's at-bat with two outs, and his eventual single, and then his steal of second and third when the $113 million were shifted for $20.6 million, was brilliant. Of course, $33 million's double for the $200 million was crucial and ultimately was the game winner. If you are a $200 million fan, it was a magnificent win. If you are a $113 million fan, it was pure torture. I know the feeling on both ends.