shane, we're in complete agreement on Arians inability (or unwillingness) to randomize formations and playcalls. To me the height of his stupidity is going empty backfield on 3rd and short, why would you let the D know that you're going to pass there? The Steelers are one of the worst teams in the league at 2nd or 3rd and short and I think that's part of the reason why. He refuses to balance his ranges.

What do you guys think of Mike Wallace? I thought he looked pretty good, and may be on the fast track to moving past Sweed (who I still think will be good) on the depth chart.

I also think that with the difficulty with the run game, and seeming quality at WR, they should consider going with a spread offense. Something similar to what you saw from the Pats two years ago. (or even last year, I suppose) Line Large Benjamin up in the gun, with Mewelde next to him, and use the short pass as your run plays. You can still run draws and such from the formation. I think this might be a better utilization of the available talent.

Wallace looks like he's gonna be a star in a very short time. He and Sweed are gonna alternate a lot this year. I don't think the Spread will work for us as a full-time offense. The No Huddle works great as a change of pace, but that doesn't mean it will work all the time. I think one of the reasons it works is because Ben calls the plays. Mewelde is clearly our best RB right now tho.

Well, that wasn't very pretty. Probably should have easily won that game, but that's not how the NFL works. Don't want to pile on Reed because he's made some very big kicks, but he's got to make those. Hope that doesn't linger for long.

Defense was ok. They certainly miss Troy. I think they may have to try getting pressure with 4 or 6 guys and dropping more back in coverage. Hopefully he'll be back sooner rather than later. Still work to do in the running game, but there were flashes today. And Wallace HAS to stay inbounds and try to get a first down, doesn't he? I'm sure he'll be coached up on that situation for the future.

Unfortunately I had to watch the game at a bar today as the game wasn't being televised in my area. Alot of people were complaining about the throw on 3rd and 2 with about 3:20 left. I liked the call. They got Holmes singled up on one of Chicago's very average corners (not sure who it was) and he beat him like I am sure he would do 80% of the time. Just wasn't able to pull in a pretty good throw from Ben (the throw could have been thrown a little sooner). Any thoughts on this?

This was just a tough spot playing an 0-1 Bears team at home. I still think the Steelers will be 6-1 going into the BYE as I felt pre-season and no reason to not reamin optimistic of 13-3 or 12-4.

Yeah, Tone needs to catch that ball. He started having trouble when the rain began. Jeff Reed has been $$ for a long time, so he gets a pass. If we were gonna lose I'd rather it be to an NFC team where it doesn't hurt our tiebreakers. Wallace made a rookie mistake going out of bounds and stopping the clock.

QFF

**** the **** off limas sweed

just cost me some money.....**** you steelers

Pretty much dominated the game and lost again.

Two 4th downs conversions and the gimmick fake punt and the Sweed drop. What a parlay of events.

I guess we don't feel as bad as 49er fans though.

I absolutely despised Tomlin's decision to punt on the Chargers 40.

I loved the play design on the 4th-and-inches.

Does anyone else NOT want the Steelers to rush back Troy for next week against the Lions?

Also, thanks to the Steelers for showing me what it feels like to be a Buffalo fan for a little while last night. Now I know, and never want to feel that way again.

I'd rather Troy didn't play this week also. Excited to see Mendy develop and the O-line start to crush in the run game. Here's a theme song for the thread

Also very excited for Mendy to show us what he's got. Being the man and not having to look over your shoulder is probably a very good thing for a young RB - especially one followed by such a hypercritical fanbase. Now if they just give Limas some touches....

I'm not buying into this O-line until they do something against Minny or Baltimore. The ran on SD in the playoffs and that front seven has only gotten worse. That said, Kemo was a monster. I've never seen him finish plays like that so consistently.

I really don't care when Troy comes back. I accept that he cannot play with a 19-game season in mind and I prefer non-concussed Troy come January.

Haha, apparently the curse of the Terrible Towel lives on. Since stomping on the towel after last season's win, the Tennessee Titans haven't won a single game. You'd think that after what happened to the Bengals, folk would be wary, butnaaaah.

Here's an awesome video from the Charger's game where Ben is mic'ed up and you can hear how much of a leader he's become.

Troy isn't gonna play this weekend. Link I think it's a good decision, give him an extra week and avoid the hard Field Turf in Detroit.

Just like to state for the 2+2 record that the roughing penalty that saved the interception was really gay.

I do not like feeling like a Pats fan.

I agree on the penalty. Aaron Smith is out for the year with a torn rotator cuff. Huge loss for our D. Steelers will rotate Kirske, Eason and Hood at that spot.

Skippy cited for public intoxication outside of McFadden's after the game. Kid loves his booze.

Any day Skippy doesn't take another picture of his dick is a good day.

I don't know about you guys, but beating an undefeated Brett Favre felt really ****ing good.

Obviously there was problems on the offensive side of the ball but I give a lot of credit to the MIN d-line for batting away balls. If Mendenhall doesn't fumble the ball at the 5, maybe things look a little different. For the 324th week in a row, Jeff Reed needs to get his **** together too.

Ben ran pretty damn well with none of those batted balls being picked. Consistent pressure up the gut + batted balls = roll out the goddamn QB.

I loved the tripping call. He wasn't the first RB to try and block Harrison by throwing his legs into him. It's a pussy move, it's illegal, and it was a good penalty.

People say "blah blah Brett Favre has seen it all" but he looked a bit rattled by the Chinese fire drill at the LOS.

I was upset when I saw Ron Winter but I calmed down once I realized we were at home. That guy will let the crowds influence him.

Yeah, nice win. Vikes fans are upset about the tripping call, but it was clearly a legwhip which is illegal. We will need the bye to get healthy, Timmons is banged up pretty good and Kirschke as well. Ziggy Hood might get his first start against Denver. We will almost certainly play that game without Ryan Clark, who almost died the last time we played there.

So, did the Vikes 'dominate' the game, as is being asserted in the rankings thread in SE? I wasn't able to see the game, just follow it on my phone. It seemed like both defenses were good for the first half, and the Vikes had only the couple of big drives, and the KO return. What really happened?