Here we are, last week of regular season play.  Back in August when I went to Steelers training camp, I certainly did not think the Steelers would be fighting for their playoff lives – but here we are.  Still, if the football Gods deliver and the Steelers make the playoffs, I predict this is where the real hell will be unleashed.  Looking back at the season, out of the 7 losses, only two were by more than 3 points and none were more than a single TD.  This means that the games were close and quite frankly, many of them were lost in the second half breakdown.  Knowing the Steelers the way I do, I would venture to say that wouldn’t happen in a playoff scenario.  Think 2005 improbably Super Bowl win from a Wildcard slot – all road games and still did what had to be done.  Remember the BOOM! Yeah, we need to see some BOOM!

But first, the Steelers need to win against the beat up Dolphins.  Ricky Williams might play, but he’s got a bad shoulder and he was taken out of the game last week.  Williams is a big threat, he’s had more than 1000 rushing yards this season and has 11 TDs. However, the Phins O-line is also beat up.  Even if Williams does play, he will need a little help with blocking and creating a gap – and the line just might not be able to hold off the Steelers defense.  That said, the biggest challenge the Phins need to think about is the Harrison-Woodley smack down duo.  Both have more than 10 sacks on the season and they will be aiming their sights at Chad Henne.  The Phins focus more on the running game and rush for approximately 142 yards per game compared to the Steelers 106 yards.  The Steelers secondary might actually be able to handle covering the Phins WRs Devon Bess and Greg Camarillo have combined less yards than Santonio.  Still, this team can’t be taken for granted.  They are unpredictable in how they are going to play, so the Steelers need to come out focused and ready to do the job.

Besides, I can’t even begin to tell you the expletives that will roll from my tongue if the Steelers lose AND the football God’s deliver by making sure those teams who need to lose do lose.  I would be beyond pissed and will hang up my terrible towel until August.  In fact, you will probably hear me screaming “Let’s go Pens” and ignoring football. Yes, I did say that.  (How much I really mean it is another question altogether)

So, what do the Steelers need to do to win this game.  First, the defense is going to have to be tight on the Phins running game.  Prior to last weeks win against the Ravens, the Steelers had not allowed a 100 yard rusher in more than 30 games.  Second, the secondary needs to make sure that there aren’t options over the middle and close off the receivers.  Troy practiced this week, but I hope he doesn’t play.  I think the Steelers can beat Miami without him this week and he’s of more value healthy and ready for IF/When the Steelers make a run in the playoffs. 

Secondly, the offense is going to have to make sure there are points on the board in every opportunity.  Red zone conversions – let’s get them.  Move the chains.  That’s the bottom line.  Involve receivers, run the ball and make some plays to Heath.  Do what we need to do. There are so many times when I think the play calling is suspect – let’s mix it up and make sure we aren’t predictable AND that when we’re 4th and goal there is a TD vs settling for a FG.  Points are points, but clearly, we’ve lost by a FG in 5 of 7 games.  A TD would make those a check in the W column vs. a check in the L column.  And we’ve met our quota of Ls, that’s for sure. 

Ben needs to revisit the pass game from Green Bay and Rashard’s running game from Denver.  I want to see good, smart football tomorrow.  Especially because it might very well be the last game of the 2009 season I get to cheer for my team.  Not to mention that my girl Shawneen is going to her very first Steelers football game this weekend in Miami - and for that reason alone, the team should get a win. 

(For @Inkognegro) Here we go Steelers, Here we go!!

Let’s get it this time….and run the tables if luck is on your side.

*raises glass* And Happy New Year, Steeler Nation – let’s hope 2010 brings a much better football season.

PS – how many of you remember the last time the Steelers played the Dolphins? It was 2007’s Mud Bowl at Heinz Field and was won in the last 20 seconds by a Jeff Reed field goal 3-0 Steelers.  Probably one of the most boring and most disgusting (muddy, sloppy) games I have ever witnessed.

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