4th Down and 10 Facts: Pittsburgh/Browns Post game

I�d rather save my energies and talk about the wild card weekend but I�ll throw a few facts about the annihilation of the Browns this past Sunday.

You know its funny�I really thought the Browns were better than 7-9. Strong defense, adequate wide-outs, young talented QB, smart coach. Well, maybe it was the 15+ players on the IR that did them in�I don�t know. Well, they proved me wrong and that makes me happy. Onto the facts�

Fact 1#: The Defense seemed nervous at the beginning: Cleveland moved efficiently over the first quarter of play and I think it was partially due to the fact that the defense seemed a little tentative due to last week. As the game wore on, the defense really tightened up with more pressure on the Couch. Kudos to Aaron Smith and Kendrell Bell for great pressure all game.

Fact #2: Don�t worry about Kordell: Both INT�s weren�t his fault. The first was due to a piss-poor catching technique by Plaxico Burress and the other was a great defensive play at the line to tip the ball. He scampered and ran and improvised (the pass to Ward from his own 2 yard line was amazing).

Fact #3: The Running was efficient: Pure domination by the Steelers offensive line and running backs. Until Fu went out he was 17 carries for 98 yds. Great stats, but even better was the fact that R. J. Bowers, the 4th string RB (friggin� 4th!), came in and ran over a meager, demoralized, beaten Browns defense.

Fact #4: Sacks! Sacks! And more Sacks!: I tell you what, it was about time that the sacks started coming again. Bell�s sacks were things of beauty. I really think the Steelers are continuing to keep many of the more exotic blitz packages in the bag until the playoffs start. But Bell seemed to be on another planet with this game. Kendrell found holes, busted through �em and pounded Couch twice. Aaron Smith applied constant pressure and continued to prove why he is the best DE since Ray Seals and in my opinion, better. He made Roger Chanoine wish he were back at Temple�wait, he went to Temple? How�s he in the NFL then?

Fact #5: The Browns need lots of Offensive help: On the offensive side of the ball, this team is basically two players: Tim Couch and Kevin Johnson. For the Browns (who have come a long way) to contend next year in the AFC North division, they must add more weapons to the offense. Johnson is turning into a strong #1 wide out in the Troy Brown-type of way. But with no running game, Tim Couch is left to pass to Dennis Northcutt (?) and Jujuan Dawson (?). Not exactly movers or shakers. And to think, Butch Davis tried to trade Kevin Johnson during preseason.

Fact #6: To quote Warren G. Harding, "Normalcy": Didn�t it seem like this game was just another day at the office? After 13 wins, I guess you get used to it, but it seemed like the Steelers went about to just take of business and get home to their wives.

Fact #7: We need the Bus back: I know I said not to worry about Kordell, but you can�t help wonder that Kordell wishes Bettis were back to take the pressure off of him. Teams just aren�t afraid of the offense when Bettis and Zereorue for that matter are out. Kordell needs Bettis back for him to be truly effective.

Fact #8: The Rams are clearly the best team: Repeat from last week. Is it any doubt that the Rams will be in Super Bowl? Well there is always a chance that the Rams could lose, but I just don�t see it happening.

Fact #9: Everything will be all right: Another repeat. Look, Pittsburgh will do what got them here. Don�t worry about that. Pittsburgh is still the favorite in all aspects to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. The Divisional game will tell us many things about the Steelers chances of reaching the Super Bowl. So that means that I definitely think Pittsburgh will win its first game? See the next fact�

Fact #10: We will definitely have an AFC Championship at Heinz Field: After that all bets are off, especially with the Patsy�s rolling in here. I feel like a Pittsburgh-Patriots Championship and it will feel much like Pittsburgh-Indy of �95

Later this week I�ll have my Wild-Card report and picks. I�ll throw in the MPO count for Week 17. These reports should be pretty in depth so enjoy!

Happy New Year!