I actually like the state of Pennsylvania. I have spent a lot of time there, and I cherish a thousand fond memories of the place. So I’m not sure why it is that I bear such malice toward their two football teams. But I do.
The Steelers are, at any point in time, one of my two least favorite teams in the league. The other least favorite is a kind of variable -- that may change from one season to another. It has been the Vikings, the Patriots, the Broncos, and others. But the Steelers are always there. Consequently, I couldn’t have been more delighted by Super Bowl XLV: to see the team I love most beat the team I hate most?! Great stuff!
And while I feel no great affection for the Baltimore Ravens, I was similarly delighted to see them beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh this past Sunday evening. What a game! There was so much talk about the proud and angry Steelers getting their pound of flesh after their Week One humiliation at the hands of the Ravens. And in the wake of beating the Patriots, the Steelers were being heralded as the best team in the AFC. But, no. The Ravens went into Pittsburgh, endured the slugfest, and came back at the end to break those Steel hearts. Beautiful.
And then, on Monday Night Football, the other Pennsylvania team got it handed to them at home, too. My disdain for the Eagles is not remotely as strong or as constant as for the Steelers, but 4th-and-26 will always stick in my craw. Plus, I’ve never been a Michael Vick fan, and I’ve been repelled by all the “dream team” hype of the 2011 season. When they took the field against the Bears, therefore, I actually found myself cheering for Chicago! It was not a calculation on my part -- a “what’s best for the Packers?” thought process. It was just visceral. I wanted to see the Eagles lose.
It, too, was a great prime time game. I was impressed by how the Bears handled the Eagles’ many weapons, as well as the hostile environment.
So now the “dream team” is 3 games out of first in their own division. And at 3-5, it’s hard to do the math and figure how they could squeak their way into the playoffs. But, they’ll beat the Cardinals this coming Sunday, and the Eagle-lovers and Vick-hypers will no doubt begin to draw the line that leads from 4-and-5 to February.
Elsewhere, I am also relishing this week all the post-mortem conversations about the New England Patriots. The first time they’ve lost at home in several seasons. The third consecutive game that they have failed to exceed 20 points. Their second consecutive loss. And a bitter reminder of their perfect season gone awry against those same New York Giants three-and-a-half years earlier.
Miami got off the proverbial schneid this week, while the Colts continue to redefine the schneid.
And, back in the NFC, the Eagles are no longer the flavor-of-the-day; now it’s the 49ers and the Giants. Who, serendipitously, play one another this coming Sunday afternoon in San Francisco. Outstanding!
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1 comment:
I had the same moment with the Bears/Eagles game. I actually had to consult the standings to figure out the proper rooting etiquette. I guess I have been sleeping on the standings considering the relative irrelevance it serves when the Packers are undefeated.
The most interesting thing about the standings though was not the NFC, but the AFC. I had no idea the Bengals were currently the top seed. As I looked over the other teams, I realized I have no idea who is actually a legit team this year other than the Packers. The lack of consistency seems higher this season and I'm not sure if it is lock-out related or just a symptom of great parity. Most likely, it might just show how rare it is to have a truly talented QB. What other profession is there only 10 or fewer people in the world who can consistently perform?
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