The Colts look unstopppable. And it wasnt the offense so much. The defense is swarming like Ive never seen before.

Thats funny. The Steelers pounded Cincy....in Cincinnati and theyre gonna do it again this week in Pittsburgh.

Cincy played Indy IN Cincy which makes a big difference. Im not making excuses for Pitt. They were outplayed by a long shot, but Cincy isnt ready for the big time yet.

So Ice, what's a better answer to my question? Why did Cincy carve up the Indy defense while Pitt couldn't much? Can home-field advantage alone explain that huge difference?

Cincys offense is better than Pittsburghs so thats part of it. Pitt played on the road, where Cincy played at home, thats another big part of it. Roethlisberger was a bit rusty.

But the biggest reason that I saw was that Indys defense looked possesssed. They were flying around the field and crushing people just like Pitts defense normally does.

If Indys defense keeps playing like that, they wont be beaten.

Pitt shouldnt have got rid of Plax is all i can say

I think the Steelers still have a chance. They have a home game against Chicago - this game might come down to who has the better defensive performance and FG's. I don't like the over in this one(duh!), and I think Pitt at home has a chance even w/o Big Ben b/c the Bears offense is anemic. Then, they have games at MInn and Cleveland, two teams who I still think the Steelers are better then, and lastly Detroit who specialize in ruining other teams chances at the playoffs(b/c that is all they have going for them at the end of the year). Steelers could go 3-1, even 4-0 and make that 6th spot in the playoffs. Another thing is that althought Jax has an easy schedule, they have an unproven rookie QB which might be their undoing. Also, San Diego and the Chiefs have amazingly tough schedules which might let Pitt sneak in there.

I just wouldn't be so quick to dismiss their chances just yet. Also, I am a Niner fan and having your team close to the playoffs must be nice. I have to try and remember that feeling.

Is Leftwich out then and now Jax has a rookie in there?