The Steelers and Bengals both had very interesting finishes to their games last weekend. Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh got completely jobbed by the officials, robbing him of a rightful touchdown for his stats. While the mistake didn't cost Pittsburgh the game (they still won 11-10, the only 11-10 final ever in the NFL), all the talk is that it could have lasting implications since point differential factors into playoff tiebreakers. What I haven't heard anything about is how it might affect Polamalu in his next contract negotiations. These guys are always using every stat they can to bolster their earning potential. How is he going to feel about getting ripped off of a defensive touchdown? Those types of plays are huge and they're what get you the big bucks!
In Cincinnati's case, the finish was even more bizarre. Capitalizing on a horrendous game played by Donovan "I didn't know a game could end in a tie" McNabb, the Bengals managed to have a shot to win in overtime, but the 47 yard field goal with 7 tics left missed. The game ended in that tie and half the Eagles team was left to admitting that they don't know the rules of the game they get paid millions of dollars to play for a living. That's kind of like the SEC (the stock market watchdog one, not the college football conference) saying "we didn't really know how all these derivatives worked, so we decided not to regulate them" only to have it all blow up in their face. Wait ... that happened too? Never mind.
So what do I see happening tomorrow night on short rest? Well, the Steelers, even having not played well still did get their W and they are clearly a better team here. The Bengals got a half W that they didn't deserve. Pittsburgh already beat up on the Bengals in Cincinnati a month ago, so I like the Steelers by 8 at the Ketchup Bottle.
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