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Destinies Collide - Steelers will overcome

January 25, 2002 by Steel Tank

The Pittsburgh Steelers have run the Ravens out the playoffs and exiled them into football oblivion there by making them somewhat of an anomaly

2002 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Behold, the Patriots storm into town Sunday high off of an improbable overtime victory against the Oakland Raiders. Certainly, the Patriots seem like a team of destiny with the Lords of Football gallantly riding at their side throwing down the gauntlet to all in their wake. This sort of charm and undeniable fortune scares many and prompts spontaneous prayer among the masses.

Woe, are not the Steelers the Goliaths that have been mortally wounded twice and nearly a third time at home in AFC championship games over the last eight years? Fear of another loss plagues the hearts all that gather to watch the Men of Steel in battle. While a deep breath may be in order, looking at the Patriots and Steelers for who they are is the best remedy for such folly.

The truth is, the two best teams in the AFC played last weekend in Pittsburgh with the Steelers once again crushing the Ravens with relative ease. Yet, if New England and Baltimore were playing this weekend - the Ravens would be favored.

The Patriots, Oakland, the Jets and Dolphins are all at about the same in their ability to play football. Indeed, the three-headed beast from the AFC-East has had a seemingly great year by making the playoffs in unison. However, some would say, only the Patriots were able to give the Rams a good game midway through the year and surged to the AFC East title.

Unfortunately, all of their victories down the stretch came against teams headed in the wrong direction all ready. Indeed, even the Ram game came at a time when the Rams were having problems holding onto the football - Warner committed 4 turnovers himself that afternoon.

This would seem like destiny - could it ever fail? Alas, the Pendulum must swing back in time.

Well, other teams of "Destiny" like the Bears this year have lost - they simply lost to a well-balanced football team in the Philly Eagles. The Bears were perhaps more charmed than the Patriots, yet their dreams came to a swift and unceremonious end.

The Steelers, after making the Immaculate Reception, lost to Miami in the AFC title game the very next week. How could they lose after such a miraculous play that still echoes on the wind-swept dust of fabled Three Rivers Stadium?

It's because success comes with preparation, intelligence, determination, grit and skill. All of these traits are possessed in abundance by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Indeed, the only things controlling the fate of the game on Sunday are the players, coaches and in part the ravenous Steeler fans filling the confines of Heinz field.

Clearly, the Steelers are at a great advantage.

The Steelers realize this and also realize that they can lose to a tough nosed Patriot team that also has such skill. The Steelers are better, but they need to stay focused and be vigilant in their desire to win. If they do this, they will be the destined team - not the Patriots.

Of course, in order to do this, the Steelers must allow themselves to be great. Cowher must realize when he is up by two touchdowns early in the third quarter that he is in a position to win. Bill tends to think that the only time a position to win is at hand is when the fourth quarter has begun. This is not so - an opportunity to win can come at anytime during the game and it should be seized with vicious fervor.

The Steelers need to take full advantage of their dominance every step of the way and put the Patriots out of their collective misery early. The last thing the Steelers need to see on Sunday is Drew Bledsoe coming into the game only down two TDs and making a miraculous comeback. In fact, this is the only scenario that a Patriot victory would be possible - Brady is vastly over-rated and will be harassed all day.

No more fabled comebacks should be permitted or it might just seem like the Steelers are a team fated never to achieve greatness under Cowher. If the Steelers can breach the mountainous obstacle put before them, then they will at last put some nagging demons to rest. This is Cowher's chance - his destiny is at hand and it is his for the taking.

Will he summon the courage to seize his destiny and that, which is rightfully his, or will history remind football scholars of a different fate?

That question will be answered Sunday.

Steelers 31-17.

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