Jump to the Flash/Steelers-Vikes
by M. Stewart
Lots of good things at Eastern Flash. Check out the piece on the Garden Club photo contest by Lita Hutchinson. Mike Canaday has a nice piece on the Kam Hayes art reception at KSU@EL’s Mary Patterson Gallery last Thursday. And how about Melody Gustafson’s op-ed piece: Finance committee votes on YOUR future health care.
The weekend’s big game between the Vikings and the Steelers should be a great one. Aside from the fact that I‘m a Steelers fan, Pittsburgh is at home and playing well, so I’m picking them to win.
No question Minnesota is a solid team, and then there’s the whole Brett Favre thing. But Pittsburgh brings the NFL’s second-best passing attack, while Favre and the Vikes are in the middle of the field at 17th. Minnesota has an edge in the running game, but not by much.
Were it not for a game-ending missed field goal, the Vikings would have lost at home on Sunday to the Ravens, so there’s no reason to think the Steelers won’t beat them at Heinz Field. And let’s not get hyperbolic about the Vikings defense. In total yards, Minnesota ranks #18 in the league, which is nothing to brag about. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has the NFL’s #3 defense.
If statistics mean anything after six games, the Steelers post better overall offensive and defensive numbers. That the Vikings come in undefeated is irrelevant. It’s the record at the end of the year that counts.
Lots of good things at Eastern Flash. Check out the piece on the Garden Club photo contest by Lita Hutchinson. Mike Canaday has a nice piece on the Kam Hayes art reception at KSU@EL’s Mary Patterson Gallery last Thursday. And how about Melody Gustafson’s op-ed piece: Finance committee votes on YOUR future health care.
The weekend’s big game between the Vikings and the Steelers should be a great one. Aside from the fact that I‘m a Steelers fan, Pittsburgh is at home and playing well, so I’m picking them to win.No question Minnesota is a solid team, and then there’s the whole Brett Favre thing. But Pittsburgh brings the NFL’s second-best passing attack, while Favre and the Vikes are in the middle of the field at 17th. Minnesota has an edge in the running game, but not by much.
Were it not for a game-ending missed field goal, the Vikings would have lost at home on Sunday to the Ravens, so there’s no reason to think the Steelers won’t beat them at Heinz Field. And let’s not get hyperbolic about the Vikings defense. In total yards, Minnesota ranks #18 in the league, which is nothing to brag about. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has the NFL’s #3 defense.
If statistics mean anything after six games, the Steelers post better overall offensive and defensive numbers. That the Vikings come in undefeated is irrelevant. It’s the record at the end of the year that counts.
posted by M. | 5:06 PM
8 Comments:
How do you folks decide between the Steelers and the Browns? Your previous commentary about football got me to thinking (again) about boundaries, allegiances, and so forth.
I like the sample of Kam Hayes's work you put up. Surely she got those eyes from Matisse? And they do add a lot to the portrait.
I don't know, Matt. Out here in Midwest land, I've had the chance to watch the Vikings play and they are red hot, playing ball now like the Steelers were the last few games last season. Vikings defense is better than the Steelers and Favre plays as if he's on track for destiny. But on that note...go Steelers!
Do keep in mind that the Steelers four wins have come over teams with a combined record of 4-19. While the Vikings are not alot better with six wins over teams with a combined record of 11-23, they have beaten two winning teams in San Francisco (3-2) and Green Bay (3-2) and a .500 team Baltimore 3-3. While the Steelers lost both of there games against teams that current have winning records (Cincinnati and Chicago).
The prediction game is always a crap shoot in the NFL. Still, the Vikings have yet to prove that they are a great team. They can take a big step in that direction by beating Super Bowl champs at Heinz Field on Sunday, but until they do, I don't see how they can have the edge.
Despite the two close losses, the Steelers are a better team than they were last year. Obviously, Sunday's game could go either way depending on any number of factors, but the Steelers will be ready.
Banjo--
Northern Ohio Valley people are Steelers fans, with a few Browns fans mixed in. When you get up away from the river to the north, fan loyalty turns to the Browns.
I can't say I agree with that. Last years team won big games in the final minutes. This years team loses or tries to lose games in the final quarter, at least so far. I think they have a ways to go yet before they match last years club. But then, last years club looked a little shakey early on and got better so who knows.
No way is this year's team better than last --- if for no other reason than last year's schedule, which the NFL and experts agreed was the hardest schedule for any team in the last few decades. This team so far this year hasn't played any teams worth a slice of cat poop. We'll see what the Steelers are made of on Sunday.
Jeff--
This year's offense is twice what it was last year. Yes, the defense slipped up early; even so, if Jeff Reed makes a few clutch kicks, they don't lose the Chicago or Cincinnati games. And don't underestimate the effect of Troy being out. That defense is built around his abilities to plug passing lanes and make tackles. He is a game changing player.
We're only six games in. The Steelers are just now getting it together. At least that's my reading.
And you're right, we'll see what they're made of this weekend, but I think the same is true for the Vikings.
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