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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 18, 2001
After the Steelers beat back the Ravens on Sunday, you have to wonder one thing. Will Pittsburgh lose another game? At least, in the regular season?
Not only have the Steelers wrapped up the AFC Central crown, they are in prime position to win out and finish 14-2, which would assure them of homefield advantage through the playoffs.
The Steelers, who've won six straight, have the Lions, Bengals and Browns remaining. They are a combined 11-28.
Homefield would be huge for the Steelers. They've lost once at home this season, and that was to the Ravens, who clearly aren't playing on the same level as the Steelers now.
Coach Bill Cowher, however, is trying to keep his team focused, telling it in the locker room after Sunday's game that it hadn't accomplished anything yet.
"I just know that we're one step closer," Cowher said when asked about his team being in the driver's seat.
As if the Steelers need more good news, injured Jerome Bettis, who has missed two games, is expected to return Sunday.
MAYBE THEY'LL GET A GOOD ONE FOR CHRISTMAS: After watching Jon Kitna throw three interceptions, do you get the feeling the Bengals' first offseason move should be to get rid of all three of their quarterbacks and start over?
Thought so.
DID YOU KNOW?: After beating the Bills in overtime, the Patriots have been taken to overtime in four of their past five games against the Bills.
HIT OF THE DAY: It has to go to Bills cornerback Nate Clements for his hit on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The hit knocked Brady's helmet 7 yards behind him.
ONLY THE NFC EAST IS SOFTER: Is the AFC East weak or what? Miami, New England and New York did little Sunday to suggest otherwise.
The Dolphins were smoked by the 49ers 21-0, the Patriots needed a controversial replay to beat the awful Bills and the Jets had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the lowly Bengals.
Looking at the remaining schedule, the Pats are probably the best bet to win the division. Whether they should be considered true champions is debatable.
STAT OF THE WEEK: Of Bears quarterback Jim Miller's 10 touchdown passes, half have come against the Bucs.
CAUGHT ON TAPE: You didn't have to hear what Dick Vermeil shouted after a holding penalty negated the Chiefs' first winning field goal in overtime, forcing another attempt, which Todd Peterson missed. Anyone who could halfway read lips could decipher those curse words.
Vermeil may be a big softy, but apparently not when his team makes boneheaded mistakes in overtime.
A BAD DAY ALL AROUND: As for the controversial Browns-Jaguars game, which seemed more idiotic to you: Fans throwing beer bottles at the refs; or Browns officials excusing the fans' actions? It seems neither showed much common sense.
As for the controversial call, remember: The officials got the play right, which is the express purpose of instant replay. Isn't that what should matter most?
SPEAKING OF INSTANT REPLAY: The Bills, who had an instant replay call go against them, might have missed an opportunity on another that might have changed the outcome.
In the fourth quarter, receiver Peerless Price had a touchdown catch ruled incomplete, but replays showed it should have been a touchdown. The Bills, though, didn't challenge the call, so the ruling stood.
ANOTHER PRICELESS RANDY MOMENT: Randy Moss continues to invite trouble. This time he took himself out against the Lions on the Vikings' final offensive play, a third-and-10 situation. Even the Lions frowned upon it, saying anyone who gets paid an $18-million signing bonus should be on the field for every play possible.
"I was surprised," receiver/returner Desmond Howard said. "Even if it's one play, that guy got $18-million."
SHARPE TONGUE: Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe had this to say about the Ravens' trash talk leading up to their home loss to the Steelers.
"We did a lot of talking and we didn't back it up," he said, his mouth full of crow.
As for Sharpe ripping inconsistent Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress before the game by calling him Plexi-glas, Burress said: "They know my name now."
-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.