Steelers Beat Up Opponents, Rest of NFL Thankful

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/the-week-after-pittsburgh.html

There is a theory among NFL observers that the week-after playing Pittsburgh is a difficult one for teams because the Steelers are so physical that teams get beat up.

The Cowboys certainly got beat up by the Steelers - safety Ken Hamlin (ankle), safety Keith Davis (knee), tight end Jason Witten (ankle), guard Montrae Holland (ankle), linebacker Zach Thomas (cramps), linebacker Bradie James (stinger), nose tackle Jay Ratliff (concussion), cornerback Adam Jones (neck).

So how have teams done the week after playing the Steelers? They're 4-8.

Houston - lost to Tennessee, 31-12 (Texans did not play following week because of hurricane)
Cleveland - lost to Baltimire, 28-10
Philadelphia - lost to Chicago, 24-20
Baltimore - lost to Tennessee, 13-10
Jacksonville - beat Denver, 24-17
Cincinnati - lost to Houston, 35-6
Giants - beat Dallas, 35-14
Washington - lost to Dallas, 14-10 (after a bye)
Indianapolis - beat Houston, 33-27
San Diego - lost to Indianapolis, 23-20
Cincinnati - lost to Baltimore, 34-3
New England - beat Seattle, 24-21

Based on the record of the teams the Steelers have played this year, its over .500, that teams are 4-8 in games after playing the Steelers tells me that the following week's teams should be out shopping for a very nice Xmas present for the black and gold.

Steelers/Bengals Game Dec 2 likely to stay at 8pm

As we begin the second half of the NFL season we approach the flex scheduling that gives NBC the power to screw with fans and move gametimes as they see fit. As of now, the Steelers are scheduled to play one Sunday nighter on Dec 2 vs the Cincy Bungles and according to Pro Football Weekly, it looks like that game will remain at that time. But not because it has the makings for a great game, but because there isn't another attractive game available to move t prime time.

Already gametimes of two Steeler games have been moved, but those were from 1 to 4 and are both on the road.

Other Steeler games that could potentially be moved include:

• Dec 9 at Patriots. Likely will stay at 1 on CBS because the Steelers are on Sunday night the week before, CBS is likely to protect the game and the scheduled game isn't bad (though it got a lot worse Monday Night): Colts / Ravens.
• Dec 16 vs Jacksonville. Will likely stay on CBS because the scheduled NBC game is Redskins / Giants.
• Dec 3o at Baltimore. Only if there are playoff implications on the line will this get moved and even then, it';s likely there are other games that will be more attractive to national audiences who will remember the thrashing from last Monday.