Here's the YouTube video that's being forwarded around Pittsburgh. How come every yokel band in Western Pennsylvania plays a bad song at the Steelers' Pep Rally and these talented kids get no love?

Best line? "We're the Ravens Haters. Ring takers..."

Also coming this week end. The Terrible Challenge continues and much more.

So, onto the point of this.. facts. And here we go, stealing from ESPN Classics' Cheap Seats:

Did you know that Ben is the ONLY NFL QB in HISTORY to post a perfect passer rating TWICE in the same season?

Did you know that Ben is 58-22 as a starter, including the post-season?

Somewhere just past the Emerald City is a magical place called Burgher Land. It's a mysterious but wonderful place where the Steelers have a potent offense just waiting to emerge, the Penguins will "get back on track" any day now and, somehow, the damaged ligaments on the inside of Hines Ward's knee will be fine because he "won't miss the Super Bowl".

Thank you, Dr. Ward.

Ward will suit up and he might even be productive. But the idea that he has the ability to tough it out and heal himself in two weeks makes me wary.

But maybe he isn't doing it alone.

He did an interview today on The Drive on ESPN 1250 radio in which he revealed that he purchased a hyperbaric chamber in the offseason, through the advice of his agent, and uses it in his bedroom.

It's becoming more common for athletes to use them, but its just conjures up pictures of Michael Jackson. And that's never a good thing.

For the uninformed (i.e.- me), the chamber is a long wide cylinder used for therapy that pumps in oxygen and the drastic increase of oxygen particle pressure in the body and on the tissue helps heal the body faster. It is often used in attempt to treat people, like miners, who have major injuries.

In case you're as curious as I am, or tweaked your knee in the shower this morning and have some money to blow, they go for about $20K -- and I recommend the Vitaeris 320.

The long and short of it is that Ward -- i.e. Hall of Fame Tight End -- will be a big part of Arians' game plan next Sunday. The Steelers offense will need to produce a few touchdowns and his ability to run, cut, stop and block will be a big part of that.

God speed to the Super Bowl adrenaline and oxygenated tube that will be charging his knee.

I'm out of words. The Pittsburgh Bucs Baseball Club agreed Wednesday to pay Adam LaRoche $7 million dollars in order to avoid arbitration. Wonder how much camo and ammo that'll buy?

Adam LaRoche, you know him. Plays first base for the Pirates, although not usually until after the All-Star break. Adam LaRoche, great white hunter. Can hit a buck from 200 yards, can't hit a curveball from 60 feet six inches.
Perhaps Adam and Opie had a special agreement that Buc season extends to spring training, and any Bucs he shoots (preferably from the pitching staff), he can keep.
What really hurts is that the Yankees agreed to a $5.5 million deal with the departed Xavier Nady. Nady who plays all season, unfortunately is represented by Scott Boras -- agent for Buccos pick Pedro Alvarez. Fat Pedro reported to mini camp this week out of shape.
Looks like alls well in Mayberry...

Hey everyone, I think this is something anyone who can read this and lives in Pittsburgh should do..

Official Steelers' Pep Rally at Heinz Field tomorrow!

(Photo Credit:  NYT/Hancock)

(Photo Credit:  ESPN)

(Photo Credit:  Gene J. Puskar/AP)

So word on the street is Hines Ward will be a-oh-boy to play in the Superbowl. This is from the coach's mouth.. and with the way he talks, I always end up believing everything he says, so I'm sold.

Also, before the WIWUT links, please take a second if you haven't already, to vote in the polls on the left side of the page. I am more interested in your Superbowl viewing habits. I already know three of our readers are actually going to Tampa, they just haven't voted on the site yet.. I for one will be at my local bar.. and by local I mean 32 miles away, Fanattics in Squirrel Hill. And for those who know me, I have quite the surprise that day. You will see and you will LOVE IT.

The PG:  Troy got screwed and couldn't keep the gameball from the AFC Title game..  the Rooney's actually gave it to Obama.

The PG:  Dave Molinari feels my pain in regards to the Pens..

AZ Central:  This is too dumb for words..  click and trust me.

AZ Daily Star:  Meet the man that made Anquan Boldin miss the NFC Title game celebration..

Washington Post:  Michael Wilbon sings the praises of Big Ben..  and guess the f what?  He is so right..  Fantasy Football has ruined people's views on football.  I have a whole column worth of points, but I get so pissed when people trash Ben because he doesn't have sick numbers..  well guess what?  Drew Brees never beat anyone and both Mannings are golfing..

(Photo Credit:  mlblogs.com)

In these super tight and scary economic times, the Pittsburgh Pirates are standing alone in the "hot stove, spend it all" era MLB is in right now..

(Photo Credit:  Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)

As far as Pitt goes, business as usual. Pitt won 78 - 60.. which verses a top 10 ranked team is very impressive. Blair had his double-double (20 and 12 - also 4 blocks), Young had his normal game (22 points) and Fields chipped in with 15 points. The only negative was Pitt shooting just 52% from the foul line. This has always been an issue with the Panthers, but in order to make it past the Sweet Sixteen, Pitt needs to be in the 70s at least.

After the jump we leap in to what I woke up to.. including, believe it or not, Steeler links.

As I mentioned yesterday, there will be a very obvious Steeler-centric media blitz coming these next 13 days. Can't wait.. on to what I got so far.

The PG:  Eddie B breaks down the art of Ben's scramble.

The PG:  Dr. Heath Miller, MD explains that Heinz Ward will play in the Superbowl.  Good enough for me.

ESPN:  James Walker talks Superbowl..

ESPN:  Willis McGahee is going to live.

Stock Lemon:  A very in depth list of the prop bets for the SuperBowl..  I got fifty on, "What color with the drink be that is poured on the winning coach?"  (Multiple Choice)

ESPN:  Card's other WR, Boldin is all pissed..  you are in the Superbowl for Christ's sake.. shut up.

The Dirty:  This Eagle fan is drunk, handcuffed, and covered in piss..  trust me.

TTB Reader Big Nick sent this along...

What we all saw coming is now a reality.. the 2 week dream of Pitt being the number one team in the country is over.

For now.

The ESPN/USA Today poll has Pitt at 4.. behind UConn, Duke and the new number 1, Wake Forest.

(Photo Credit:  Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)

I am at a loss for words. A loss.. Jim did a HELLAVA job on the live blog yesterday, that I almost feel like most of my opinions are already in his awesome post. I am still buzzing, and still a little drunk (don't worry, today my company gives us the day off).. I mean, the Superbowl.. AGAIN.

AGAIN...!!

You know, when you talk to your fathers, uncles, or any other person from the older generation, they tell stories about the Steelers always being good.. always winning with their D.. always going to the Superbowl. What they had in Jack, Terry and Mel we have in James, Ben and Troy.

And guess what? We will be telling those same stories in 20 years. We have a what I woke up to for the AGES after the jump.

The media BLITZ that is coming these 2 weeks is going to be insane. Insane enough to making me, who is supposed to track this stuff, well, insane.

Onto said blitz, day 1..

NFL:  A complete highlight package of yesterdays EPIC BATTLE.

Pro Football Talk:  People are pissed with the Heinz Field PA system operator..  

The PG:  Ed Bouchette does his thing..  better than anyone on the planet.

The PG:  Gerry Dulac hands out gameballs and the such..

Deadspin:  The Arizona sign Dunn mentioned in his live blog..

ESPN:  Grab a drink and enjoy "Last Call" with booze hound John Clayton

Youtube:  Don't anger Ryan Clark..  ever.

Baltimore Sun:  Whaaa.

Good Afternoon and welcome to Chez Dunn, Live from the living room. I am accompanied today by my 2 1/2 year old daughter, my dog, a lot of raspberry white tea and very little sleep. I will attempt to bring you a running diary that will start at puck drop at mellon arena at 12:30 pm run through the NFC Championship game and hopefully culminate with Coach hoisting the Lamar Hunt Trophy. Strap it in, Strap it on. Here We Go.

12:30 - Oh good, the powder blues. I'll go ahead and call a loss right now...ps, were there any Soundgarden fans that understood the title of the article? I'm so grunge.

12:39 - Syko behind the net no look dish to the slot...MINARD!! 1-0 Penguins. Good start to the day!

12:50 - I return from taking a leak and Matt Cooke is in the net. Good Times.

12;56 - Rangers don't clear, TK48 picks the puck up on the boards skates at Lunqvist. Wicked wrist shot, SCORE!!!!

1:00 - Doc Emerick calls the Penguins "The Steelers" going into a commercial. Even his minds on the AFC championship game.

1:04- After the effort against Anaheim and how they have looked so far today, I'd like Mike Therrien to give the Jim Fassel speech only in Therrienese... "This team going to playoff. Anyone want get in, get in, anyone want get out, get out. This team going to playoff"

1:08 - Miroslav Satan is absolutely horrific.

1:10 - Whatever was wrong with Sid, I'd like a double order of that. He is on fire, beating guys 1 on 1, seeing the ice well, has a hop in his step.

1:11 - Oh, good! Blair Betts goes low and takes him out at the knees, Sid hobbles off. Fuck my life.

1:14 - Edzo keeps on keeping on by saying the Rangers chances have been "Far and In Between". Solid, solid, solid work by Edzo.

1:15 - End of the first 2-0 Pens.

1:16 - Mike Milbury and Pierre Mcguire will debate fighting's place in the game. Yawn.

1:17 - Wait, I'm drawn in by Milbury telling McGuire he wants to "Pansify" the game. Hard hitting television.

1:18 - Milbury makes a brilliant point saying if Donovan McNabb wouldve done the phone thing on the bench of an opposing team, he wouldn't of left the ice standing up.

1:19 - Remember in high school one of the menu items at lunch was Pizza Burgers? sauce, ground meat, hamburger buns, cheese...yeah, I just finished making them.

1:20 - mmmm...pizza burgers.

1:27 - Doc introduces a new segment called "Name That Squirt" I don't have a joke here.

1:27:35 - Wait, yes I do, what is that? a game porn stars play blindfolded?

1:29 - Second period underway. Satan finds a use for himself by putting his face in front of a swinging stick. Power Play.

1:30 - Sid undresses a Rangers defeceman. Hauled down. PENALTY SHOT!!!

1:31 - Lundqvist shuts the door. I saw that coming.

1:32 - Rangers kill PP.

1:36 - My wife calls from the driveway. Despite the driveway being plowed, she drives into the yard and is stuck. Brilliant. I'll be back after a quick car pushing segment.

1:39 - Back. My daughter has been unleashed. The running diary is being heavily compromised.

1:40 - What a save by Flower!! Taking this game over.

1:41 - Back the other way Geno feeds Sid the puck, Cookie crashes the net, Sid feathers it through, Cookie gets hooked, PP. Cookie is putting on a going to the net clinic right now.

1:43 - Pens are moving and passing really fluently through the neutral zone.

1:44 - Whits splits the D with a pass, right on Syko's tape. Syko in alone...

1:45 - SCOORRRRREEEEEE!!!! 3-0 Pens.

1:48 - Colton Orr wants to go with Godard. No need to give the Rangers any momentum. Godard is a smart fighter.

1:49 - Ranger PP. Felt that coming.

1:50 - Geno blasts Zherdev, Russians HATE each other.

1:56 - Orr taking shots at Sid. He wants to goad Godard into this. Cookie is all over it. Suck it Orr.

2:00 - Geno gets jabbed by Zherdev, Jordan Staal steps in. He's actually taken it to another level since signing his deal, usually works the other way around.

2:02 - Geno and Sid sitting in the box together. There are 128 points in the penalty box right now. Super.

2:03 - Glove save and a beauty by Flower!!

2:05 - Pierre McGuire hating on Zherdev and Geno. Pierre McGuire is a racist. There, I said it.

2:07 - Dunn's most hated Pet Peeves #44 - People who bring Terrible Towels to Penguin Games.

2:09 - Eric Godard is a genius. 2nd is ending, he whacks Scott Gomez. What a chess match between Orr and Godard.

2:10 - The wife is giving me between period chores. I can't wait till she leaves for the game.

2:17 - Shot of 66's Luxury box. He is chatting it up with Paul Stiegerwald. Stieggy is a pimp. Drinking red wine and laughing it up with 66. I want that to be my life.

2:19 - Edzo vehemently defends Mike Therrien. The man who he was fired for. Weird.

2:26 - Flower robs Jordan's uglier, younger brother.

2:30 - up and down action. Love having Whits back QBing that PP.

2:34 - Wicked shot by Minard. Stopped. Love a guy who gets it to the net. Don't have enough of those guys.

2:37 - What's with the Red Bull commercial where the cartoon chick is trying to get some cock from the other cartoon who is complaining about studying while laying in bed? That commercial could be the Yellow Submarine of this generation.

2:40 - Another quick rip by Minard...I'm just saying.

2:42 - McGuire calls Adam Graves a "humanitarian" If by Humanitarian you mean intentionally injuring the biggest star in the game with a criminal slash, then yes, he's a humanitarian.

2:45 - a "Fleury" of shots all turned away by Flower. We are coming dangerously close to the first "Fleury, Fleury" chant in over 2 months.

2:47 - It's good to see in this age of ultra sensitivity and political correctness, Verizon isn't afraid to perpetuate old school Italian stereotypes. Good Times. That still offends me less than that jerkoff Sprint CEO.

2:49 - 6:00 remaining. Doc mentions "Shutout" To quote Frankie Carbone "Nice game...Nice fucking game."

2:50 - Am i crazy or do Minard, Thomas, Bizz Nasty, Jeffery and the Wilkes Barre guys all seem to play a tighter defensive system than some of the NHL guys?

2:52 - Why does NBC assume everyone cares that much about the Boss at halftime? come on now!!

2:53 - 1 minute remaining in the period, 1 minute...

2:54 - Ballgame!! 2nd SO of the year for Flower. Great effort. Our Pens are currently the 8 seed in the east.

2:55 - Huge ovation at the horn. There's something in the air baby.

2:58 - Flower skates out for his #1 star. He's wearing the Throwback Steeler helmet and waving his Terrible Towel. Goosebumps.

2:59 - Seemless transition to Fox. We're live from Phoenix. Eagles/Cardinals, NFC Championship. My hands are cramping.

3:03 - Joe Buck gets way too amped about the quality of Jordin Sparks National Anthem. I guarantee he won't be that excited for the rest of the afternoon.

3:09 - A combined 109 years since a championship for these 2 teams. That's bleak.

3:10 - In an upset, The Christian Soldier does not mention Jesus Christ in his on field pre game interview.

3:15 - Don't even have time to type the brisk drive that just happened. Fitz, Boldin, Fitz, Fitz, TD. TCS was money on that drive. 7-0 Arizona.

3:21 - McNabb screen to Tom Sellick. He gets Mustached by Adrian Wilson.

3:23 - Cards are over-persuing on Westbrook. Philly may be able to take advantage of that. Wait, Andy Reid is the coach. nix that.

3:25 - Andy Reid's playoff beard is nasty. It makes him look like a hobo. Also hoboesque? His man-boobs.

3:26 - Akers. Good 7-3

3:28 - The wife exits. On her way to Heinz. Thank god.

3:32 - What is the point of commercial/kickoff/commercial? Make the break twice as long.

3:34 - Chris Myers has never ever once told me anything interesting, informative or helpful in any sport he's covered, ever.

3:36 - 3 and out TCS is giving it to his Offensive coordinator on the sidelines. Come on Kurt, WWJD?

3:39 - Funny commercial with LeBron dreaming he joined the Browns. LeBron James would immediately become the best player on the Browns if he joined them.

3:42- Desean Jackson drops a pass. Wide Open. Wow, That's championship type focus right there.

3:46 - INT! Here comes the convoy...a hit...fumble...Eagles recover...wow. Momentum changer???

3:47 - Eagles predictably go deep while playing with house money...in and out of the hands...Lots of action!!

3:51 - End of 1 Cards 7 Philly 3

3:51 - My daughter is hellbent on stopping the diary in its tracks. I may have to go Godard on her.

3:54 - I don't know a single person who has ever watched the show Bones.

3:55 - Defensive stop for the Cards. 47 yd attempt by Akers...Hooked it.

3:59 - RB throws back to TCS, fires it deep Fitz...jumpball...Got it! TD! Larry Fitzgerald does not have an equal in this leauge. What a player!

4:02 - Kevin Curtis catches a 47 yd bomb from McNabb. Is it safe to say that this will be the antithesis of the AFC Championship?

4:02 - shhhhh...my daughter is asleep. Thank Kurt Warner for this development.

4:04 - Philly kicks another FG. 14-6

4:05 - My brother just texted me: "What if Brian St Pierre gets a second Super Bowl ring?" Yikes.

4:08 - TCS trips coming from under center but somehow gets it into Edge's gut. Edge proceeds to pop a 25 yarder. When Jesus loves you, and your soul is pure, magical things can happen.

4:09 - Next play, dump to Arrington, 17 yards to the Philly 30. The Eagles have no answers.

4:10 - 12 yd screen right at the blitz. This is impressive.

4:11 - 1st and goal at the 1. I hate Asante Samuel.

4:12 - Fade to, guess who? Fitz. 3rd of the half. Cards 21 Philly 6. This is the best thing to happen to the university of Pittsburgh all week. (Ohhhh, it burns)

4:18 - Philly gets lucky, Arizona recovers a muff, but it's called out and it's not challengeable. That may of been the ballgame.

4:20 - The Arizona crowd is impressive. Loud sons a bitches.

4:22 - McNabb throws out of bounds from the pocket and argues about it for the second straight week. Does he seriously not know any of the rules of this game? Punt.

4:24 - Not only is BMW asking us to buy a $30,000 car, but they want us to fill it with diesel fuel which is more expensive than regualr fuel? Sure, I'll get right on that.

4:25 - The Christian Soldier is rocking a 158.3 passer rating right now.

4:28 - I sincerely hope everyone in Philadelphia is utterly miserable right now. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

4:31 - I've texted Turrible at least 3 times. No answer. He is in a zone right now.

4:34 - Note to Philly, stop blitzing, they have it completely and thoroughly figured out.

4:36 - Pass to Fitz, He gets out of bounds, clock stopped. Wow, looks like the Eagles prepared for Fitz just like Carolina did.

4:37- Trent Cole, sacks TCS. He gets up and dances. Really? 21-6? Really?

4:39 - Great adjustment by TCS. Screen to Boldin. FG Attempt upcoming.

4:41 - Rackers kick is up...and...24-6.

4:43 - Here's a good Neil Rackers story. Turrible and I have a very long and one sided history of playing Madden together. In short he owns me. So in an attempt to even the field one summer night in 1999, He picks the lowly Cincinnati Bengals and I go with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Midway through the 1st quarter, he yanks Akili Smith or Gus Frerote or whoever and inserts Neil Rackers at QB. I don't think I need to tell you, he won the game. The scars of that game still ive with me today.

4:46 - Halftime Arizona 24 Philadelphia 6

4:47 - Kurt Menafee says Fitz has "Great Body Presence" That's hot.

4:49 - Kurt Menafee is officially horny. He throws out the phrase "Ball's out" without hesitation.

4:52 - Collective Soul for halftime entertainment? Welcome to 1996. We missed you.

4:55 - Dunn's most hated pet peeves #19 - When sideline reporters quote coversations with coaches or players and use the players first name as well as their own. Here's an example: I said "Ken" do you realize you are one half away from the super bowl? and he looked at me and says "Pam" We have to just keep playing our game. I call shenanigans on this phenomenon, Wiz never called her "Pam" Just give us the facts Oliver.

4:57 As Borat would say "Joe Klecko is NOT agile"

4:59 - Blitz. Hit. Fumble. Arizona ball. Adrian Wilson is good.

5:01 - 5...5 dollar...5 dollar footlong.

5:06 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie. Too long of a name. Too long to say, too long to type. From this spot on, I will refer to him as Bill Cromartie.

5:09 - You know things aren't going well when Tom Sellick is leading your team in receptions.

5:10 - Another sack around left end. Who does Tra Thomas think he is? Willie Colon?

5:13 - TD Philly!! Tom Sellick has not been this unstoppable since his 2 season run as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends. 24-13

5:17 - Akers puts a bullet in the back of momentums head. Kickoff out of bounds.

5:21 - Troy Aikman says "By scoring a TD, the Eagles are forcing Arizona to keep playing" Hasn't that been the problem?

5:22 - A hurry on TCS by Trent Cole. Celebration. Some guys just don't get it.

5:25 - Sack, 2 hurries 3 and out. good hold in a good spot for the Eagles.

5:25 - David Akers is lucky, momentum survived the gunshot. Philly ball. It's a game.

5:27 - Applebee's wants to know how I like my steak. Not from Applebee's that's how. Thanks for checking.

5:29 - Running Diary Fun Fact: Terry Bradshaw has a brother named Gary Bradshaw. Awesome.

5:34 - Daughter's up. It was good while it lasted.

5:35 - TD Philly! Tom Sellick owns the Cardinals. We are headed for a 3 men and a baby kind of territory. 24-19.

5:36 - David Akers shoots momentum in the spine, causing complete paralysis. Missed XP. Wow. Also, vintage Andy Reid not going for 2 cutting it to 3. Cards 24 Philly 19

5:38 - My daughter walks by in her Polamalu jersey. I just realized we are less than an hour from the Main Event.

5:42 - Cards getting conservative. You can tell Wiz studied under the chin.

5:45 - Another AZ punt. It's getting quiet in the desert.

5:46 - Bomb to Desean Jackson...juggled...TD! Eagles lead!! Desean Jackson proceeds to do the Dirty Bird in the end zone. Take that Dan Reeves! Desean Jackson is not very smart.

5:47 - Eagles go for 2. No good. Philly 25 Cards 24

5:52 - 4th and inches. Big moment. Run off tackle for Hightower, 1st down!! Great lead block by Tackleberry. (this is the only blog in the country with Police Academy references, I promise)

5:54 - Fitz to the 23. Unstoppable.

5:55 - Wow, Boldin giving it to the Offensive Coordinator too What's going on with that?

5:57 - Best sign of the weekend from a Cards fan "We are who we thought we were" Genius.

6:00 - Screen to Hightower, follows blocks...TD!! A classic drive at a gigantic spot. Amazing.

6:02 - 2 point conversion...Good! Cards 32 Philly 25

6:07 - Screen to Westbrook, into Cards territory! What a game.

6:10 - My daughter just said "Daddy, my favite color is purple" That can't be a good sign.

6:12 -2:00 warning 4th and 10. Convert this or...The Arizona Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl

6:13 - Contact, no flag, incomplete! Bedlam in the desert!!! Andy Reid is shaving on the sidelines.

6:15 - Desean Jackson can't believe his team just lost to the Falcons.

6:17 - Breaking News. David Akers Preliminary Hearing for the shooting death of momentum is set for Friday January 23rd.

6:20 - Bill Bidwell is rocking an official Nation Of Islam Bow Tie!

6:22 - It's over! Wiz gets the Gatorde!

6:24 - I'm a big fan of Adrian Wilson. He's in tears talking to Pam Oliver. "Pam, I just can't put into words how this feels Pam"

6:28 - Terry, Larry and Gary Bradshaw to present the Cardinals with the hardware. I'm switching to CBS. It's go time.

6:31 - full fledged butterflies.

6:32 - I'm with Sonny, enough with the country music.

6:36 - Nantz! Simms! Mediocrity will hold sway!

6:39 - I've been repeating something Dame wrote in his preview to myself all week. "Greatness is often built upon a foundation of previous failures" It's been very calming taking that line of thinking. Thanks D.

6:41 - Antsy, Oh god, so antsy. Less promos, more football please?

6:42 - Here is a list of things I would rather do than watch the Ravens celebrate on our field:

1. take a bath with Turrible
2. wear a Flyers sweater
3. listen to Nickelback.

6:44 - We're underway!!

6:47 - Strong start for Willie Colon. False Start.

6:49 - Looks like pass protection is solid early on. Incomplete.

6:51 - Hines Ward, Great RAC! 45 yds! Wooooo!!

6:53 - Memo to the Steelers Offense, Haloti Ngata is allowed to punch you in the face. Just a reminder.

6:54 - Skippy on to try a 3 ball...Splits em. 3-0.

6:56 - Nantz, clearly on his game calls someone "Hines Reed"

6:57 - Just received a cryptic text from the wife. "Remind me to tell you about the hot dog" I'm speechless.

6:58 - Defense! Defense!

6:59 - No call as James Harrison is raped in an alley behind Joe Flacco. Blatant hold missed already.

7:00 - 3 and out! Good Times!

7:06 - Steeler punt 3 and out.

7:08 - Woodley hits Flacco...Deshea with a pick!!! Steeler Football!!!!1st and 10!

7:09 - Ben hits Parker in stride...on the shoulder pad. How can he not catch tht football?

7:11 - 3rd and long...Complete to Hines Reed! 1st down!!

7:12 - TV Timeout. Urination is imminent.

7:14 - Trying to talk my daughter into eating stew is like trying to talk Andy Reid into having a salad.

7:16 - Hines is hurt. Not good times.

7:16 - Great throw by Ben, caught by Holmes at the 1...

7:17 - Coach and Jim Harbaugh's brother both wanna challenge. Weird.

7:18 - So a catch, 2 steps and the ball breaking the plain is an incompletion? Really?

7:19 - Smart throw away by Ben.

7:21 - Skippy. 42 yards. Penis Cleavage. 6-0

7:26 - Harrison and the Diesel pressure Flacco, throw away. 3rd and 6.

7:27 - 4th down. Gay Bar on the coverage.

7:29 - Ben looks like he might be Good Ben today. Hits Miller up to the 30, changes field position.

7:30- Willie Parker fumbles. Forced by Ray-Ray. Worst big game RB in the leauge.

7:35 - Good news. Leftwich is warming up. This is just fucking great.

7:36 - 3rd and 1...Stopped!! What a defense!!

7:37 - going for it on 4th and 1...Polamalu launches over center...wraps up Flacco...Is he short?

7:38 - SHORT!!! STEELER BALL!!!

7:39 - Ben is back in the game. Whew.

7:41 - Maybe I'm missing something. When you get old, do you have sex by sitting in a seperate bathtub from your partner, possibly while looking at beautiful scenery?

7:43 - Ben, in trouble, escapes, chucks it down field, Holmes breaks off the route...got it!!! Reverses field, he's gonna score...TD!!!!! What an improv!!! XP Attempt...Penis Cleavage. 13-0.

7:47 - The Ravens gain their first 1st down with 11:30 left in the 2nd.

7:49 - 22 yd gain for Ray Rice.

7:51 - 3rd and 10. Big Snack just dropped into coverage.

7:57 - Sack!!! Aaron Smith!!

7:58 - Punt.

8:03 - 3rd down conversion to Washington. We have been $ on 3rd down.

8:07 - Hines will not return. ugh.

8:08 - No call on hands to the face, but a retaliation call on Afa Kemoeatu. Bad penatly all the way around.

8:10 - Of course Jim Leohnard returns a punt to the 17. of course he does. Moral victory. Mitch Berger stuck him.

8:12 - AWFUL interference call in the end zone. 1st and goal at the 1.

8:14 - McGahee TD. Bullshit. 13-7

8:16 - Do we need to see Ray Lewis' reaction to the TD?

8:19 - 6 yard grab. Limus Sweed is on the score sheet.

8:22 - Bog Down. Punt.

8:24 - Simms keeps insisting the Ravens have the game right where they want it. Down 6 only 2 first downs barely ant TOP. Yeah, right where they want it.

8:25 - Incomplete pass 4th down. It's all part of the plan, right Phil?

8:27 - Holmes 30 yd punt return. Somebody has come of age this postseason eh?

8:28 - Beautiful, arching, perfect spiral hits Limus Sweed in stride 6 steps behind coverage and he just flat out drops it. Cut him now. Like, make him return his jersey and playbook right now. Don't wait.

8:30 - Ben missed leading Holmes for a TD by about 10 inches.

8:30 - a possible makeup call. Horrid roughing the kicker call on Baltimore.

8:32 - Complete to Miller and BOOM! Who was that blur that just beheaded Khori Ivy? Limus mutha fuckin' Sweed! Way to make it up Sweed.

8:35 - Ben mangles clock management. Leaving points on the board in a game like this is baaaaaaaad news.

8:43 - Not Katie Couric, anyone but her.

8:53 - Not much happening on opening drive...until now. Fuck Derrick Mason. 1st down Ravens.

8:55 - Flacco inexplicably rolls out away from blocking and Troy lights him up. Loss of 8.

8:57 - Troy again, tipped ball. 4th and 11. Punt.

9:01 - Ben sacked. Punt.

9:03 - Flacco badly overthrows a triple covered receiver. They have us right where they want us.

9:04 - Heap sighting. Drop. What happened to that dude?

9:07 - I quote that guy who sings the Steeler Polka. "Can you believe we're having no running game?"

9:10 - Carey Davis, 1st down!! Ben is killing them out of the pocket.

9:11 - Suggs sacks Ben. Stapleton sucks out loud.

9:12 - Miller for 30 yards!! Ed Reed whiffs on a tackle.

9:14 - Parker a rushing first down! Holy Hell!

9:17 - Sweed breaks up pick in end zone. FG Att coming up.

9:18 - Skippy drills a 46 yarder. He has ice in his Penis Cleavage.

9:22 - Woodley, Sack!! 3rd and 14!

9:23 - Punt

9:24 - Steve Tasker reports Ravens Defense came off of the field quiet. It takes a lot to shut those mfers up. Sweet!!

9:27 - Sweed makes catch to pick up 1st down deep in own territory. Big catch.

9:29 - Just change field position.

9:31 - Berger barely gets his foot on the ball. like a 6 yard punt. What a joke.

9:34 - Double reverse. 1st down. damnit.

9:36 - Second interference call to set them up at the 1. Gotta be kidding.

9:37 - TD Mcgahee Steelers 16 Ravens 14.

9:40 - Suggs sack. 3 rushers on 6 blockers. How do you give up a sack?

9:42 - The defense is going to have to win this game. As usual.

9:46 - Personal foul on Ravens. Late hit out of bounds. Takes teh field position from the 40 to the 14. Season killer maybe??

9:47 - Styx is playing.

9:48 - Turrible checks in. Heap grabs a 1st down catch, we hang up immediately. It never fails.

9:50 - Woodley!! Sack!! (seems i've written that a lot today)

9:54 - Harrison hit on Flacco... INT Polamalu!!! Weaving, bobbing, TOUCHDOWN!!! Eat it Baltimore!! 23-14!!!

9:55 - WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

9:57 - WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

9:59 - Ryan Clark just destroyed McGahee. Wow, that rivaled the Welker hit. Wait, it's ruled a fumble!! Pittsburgh ball!!! Super Bowl!!!!!!!

10:07 - Ugly scene. Pray for Willis. I think I saw him move. This sucks.

10:09 - Some good news on McGahee, whew....

10:12 - Berger uncorks a medicore punt. The D will close it out!

10:16 - Tip...Carter INT!!! It's over!! Steelers/Cards/Super Bowl 43!!!! Yes!!

10:17 - Nananananananana Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye!!!!!

10:19 - Gatorade bath for coach!!

10:37 - Dan Rooney almost drops the Lamar Hunt Trophy. Let's get out of this while we're still on top.

10:40 - There it is, a 10 hour running diary, The Steelers are in the Super Bowl and I'm going to crash. What a day!!!!!!!


ps- MMBUDL will be back tomorrow morning!

I was pumped yesterday when I hit the random shuffle on the iPod and heard this song while I was working out and they had Steelers defensive highlights on ESPN to go along with the soundtrack. It was a sweet little combo that made me wish I had more weights to put on the dumbbells.

...Success is my only m*therf@cking option, failure's not....

Here's the thing: I'm not one to make predictions or talk trash. I'm a pessimist who knows that this Steelers team has faults. They have an average offensive line at best. Talented, but unbelievably inconsistent wide receivers. A special teams unit that has a knack for wiping away all the field position gained by the defense. And they have a coach, who while he has been very good, is only coaching his third playoff game and failed one out of his first two tests.

...You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo...

But here's the rub: every team has faults. And up to this point, those faults have been fatal for 28 of them. Today, two more will find their Achilles' heel. The offensive line played as a solid unit last week. The wide receivers were consistent. The special teams was a plus, not a minus. And Coach Mike was on his game.

Anyone who asked me my opinion last week got the same answer and it hasn't changed: The Steelers have grown into a good enough team that if they lose, it's their fault. They have a championship defense and an offense with the talent and weapons to beat anyone. If they aren't playing two Sundays from now, it will be because they allowed it happen -- because, in the end, they are too good to be beaten by anyone other than themselves.

After the jump, five thoughts on the game...



5. Each week so far, I've called out a different offensive player or group during The Tailgate. This time, I switch it up and think defensive. The defensive line has been amazing, but I think they can be game-changers in this one. The Ravens WON'T give up on the running game as long as they are cracking 2 or 3 yard runs. However, if the defensive front can be dominant enough to force 2nd and 10s or 3rd and 8 or more, they can put the game on Flacco's shoulders and have a real chance at forcing the issue.

4. When the hell did Pittsburgh slip below the Mason-Dixon line? Martina McBride will sing the national anthem and Hank Williams Junior will perform at the game tomorrow. Can anyone tell me when this happened? The saddest part of any game, for me, is watching drunk A-holes in Bettis jerseys slap their knees gleefully when The Povertyneck Hillbillies perform. When I was at my first playoff game, that guy who sang the polka stood on the dugout and sang "Defense, defense...make them scramble. Intercept that ball!" That gave me goosebumps. Country music makes me lose my football adrenaline wood -- so to speak.

3. Okay, I can't help myself. With Sumari Rolle out, the match ups are just too tantalizing. You beat the Ravens with the long ball and, Mr. Washington, if their eyes are on Santonio and Hines, its your turn to shine.

2. Beating a team three times in the same year isn't any tougher than beating a team once. The team that wins the first two has won the third something like 65% of the time. I don't know how these cliches end up happening.

1. The most disappointing thing about last year's playoff was Tomlin's conservative play calling that, in my opinion, lost them the game against Jacksonville. (Three inept run plays when they needed a first down to lock down the game and were passing all over the Jags) I think he realized it and is overcompensating this year by being overaggressive. That defense doesn't need fake punts and fourth and one, go for it, type plays to win games. What Tomlin and Arians need to do is accept that a punt can be a good result of a drive, but that they need to take good, aggressive offensive shots in the natural flow of the game.