One of my favorite victuals is duck a l’Orange. This classically prepared version of one of Donald Duck’s “crew” can be a mouth watering treat if it is prepared correctly. If it is not, it can be a little greasy, and sleazy, just like a few of the calls were during the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday.
Steelers cornerback William Gay who just a few years ago, was the consistent goat of a suspect Pittsburgh secondary, has now shed the sheep’s horns and has donned more “God-like” attire. Gay intercepted his third pass of the season, a “pick six” offered up by Falcons QB Matt Ryan.
The game should not have been that close but the officials made sure of that by assessing a bogus roughing the quarterback penalty on Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds gave the Falcons new life and they used the new opportunity wisely. After the “fantasy” call by the officiating crew, Ryan tossed a 17 yard TD pass to the Falcons wide receiver/special teams ace Devin Hester at the 4:19 mark of the second quarter.
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward s had this to say about the “ghost” roughing the passer penalty called on Worilds. “I’m not going to talk about that call because it was horrendous,”
The Steelers immediately answered that “gift” TD by the Falcons by mounting a twelve play, 80 yard, 3:52 drive with Steelers running back/receiver, Le’Veon Bell scoring on a 1 yd TD run with just :27 left to play in the first half.
“Chef” Ben Roethlisberger carved up the Falcons as if he was trying to feed fifty people with a ten pound bird. When you have all of the weapons that the Steelers offense has, hey why be one dimensional. Instead of the Steelers Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley fretting about opposing defenses, the defensive coordinators of the AFC should be taking acid reflux stomach tablets as well as anti-anxiety meds when faced with the prospect of having to line their defenses up against, the “fabulous five,” Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Marcus Wheaton, Heath Miller.
With the Steelers running game being held in check, the black and gold relied heavily on the arm of Roethlisberger and he delivered. “I’m a guy who never wants to have a losing season,” Roethlisberger said. “Eight gets you a non-losing season. We got nine, and we’re going for 10 now.” Everyone, talking heads and serious NFL analysts’ alike keep asking the same question over and over again. As far as a game by game basis is concerned, which Steelers team will show up?
Weekend notes: Well at least as far as is first NFL start was concerned, Cleveland Browns QB “Johnny “football” Manziel may now be temporarily renamed “Johnny foolsball” because the Cincy Bengals defense made the “marquee” offensive player of the “Brownies” look downright foolish, even mocking his signature finger “money rub.” Manziel could only find Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon 3 times for 48 yards; his passing total for the day against the Bengals was for a measly 80 yards. That my dear friends averages out to 20 yards per quarter. The Browns had better massage the ego of ex-starter Brian Hoyer with the quickness and get him back in there because if they don’t they are liable not to even finish at .500
Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412.583.6741
Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe
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