Steelers MMQB: NFL Week 9 Wrap Up
By Kim Myers
Nov 3, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
What We Learned in Week 9 in the NFL:
- Dolphins in trouble with bullying
- Nick Foles tosses 7 TD’s against Raiders
- Flacco loses to the Browns for the first time
- Steelers crap the bed in New England
Watching the Steelers this season is almost like being in an abusive relationship. We get hit over and over and over again only to get a glimmer of hope that it’s going to change. We believe this time it might be different, this time they can actually do it. Then we get punched in the face again. With that being said, let’s see what else is going on around the league.
The Dolphins managed to curb their four-game losing streak Thursday night with an overtime win over Cincinnati but they’re having a rough week nonetheless. Thursday it was reported that OT Jonathan Martin left the team to seek treatment for emotional issues and immediately stories of bullying from the team started to pour out. Martin, through a representative, notified the team and the NFL that there have been some player misconduct and an official investigation has begun. Before that point, the majority of the media outlets were reporting that the veteran guard Richie Incognito was the ring-leader of the Dolphin bullies. Incognito has vehemently denied that and there have been no actual reports from Martin that point to Incognito. But, by Sunday night, Incognito was suspended by the Dolphins for conduct detrimental to the team.
Want to hear something funny? Remember that Oakland Raiders defense that did not allow the Steelers to score a touchdown in the first 50 minutes of the game? They gave up seven touchdowns to the Nick Foles-led Philadelphia Eagles offense. An offense that hadn’t scored a touchdown in their previous two games. Hilarious.
Nothing quite says “Super Bowl Hangover” quite like losing to the Browns. The Ravens are learning that lesson the painful way after their 24-18 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. Jason Campbell started at quarterback for the Browns and went 23 for 35 for 262 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Cleveland defense held RB Ray Rice to 17 yards on 11 carries. Joe Flacco rushed for 25 yards. That’s quite a hangover.
Speaking of hangovers, if you participated in Dom’s drinking game yesterday during the Steelers blowout loss to New England, you’ve got quite the hangover this morning. The Steelers crapped the bed big time against the Patriots, giving up the most points in franchise history. Although Ben was able to shake off some early mistakes to score touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Tom Brady and the Patriots offense, who was making it look slightly more than easy against the Steelers defense. Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and four touchdowns. Going into this game it was said that the Patriots had lost a step, they weren’t the team they used to be, and Brady was on pace to have his lowest touchdown total of his career. Only takes one game against the Steelers to turn that all around. Brady threw for 252 in the first half alone and then after the Steelers had fought back to tie it up 24-24, it started raining Patriots touchdowns like a friggin monsoon. The Patriots scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone.
This one is going to suck for a long time. Not only did the team sink lower to 2-6, but they did it in epic fashion. The defense was ridiculously outplayed. They looked as if they didn’t even belong on the field with Brady and his offense. You can get angry with the penalties, Ben’s turnovers, or whatever else you want. Take your friggin pick. I’m picking the defense. Mostly because not only did they blow it in big spots during the game when it was kind of close, they looked almost as if they gave up at the end. Completely unacceptable.
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