PSR Showdown
Will The Steelers Finally Get One For The Thumb?

This Is The Year
By Guy Junker
ESPN Radio

 "One for the Thumb." I've had the t-shirt since I was still wearing a large. Of course, that's how long the Steelers have been looking for that fifth Super Bowl ring. I say, this is the year they get it.

Why is that so difficult to believe? They are talented, very well-coached, have great chemistry, and they've already beaten the top team (other than themselves) in each conference, including the team that has won two of the last three Super Bowls.

Most amazing, they have had enough injuries to fill a hospital ward yet have not only survived, but thrived. They lost their starting two quarterbacks but have been led by a rookie who has played more like a 10-year veteran.

I'm not a big believer in that team of destiny stuff. Normally I think fate happens when hard work and talent mix together. The Steelers have that going for them, but there has been a certain element of magic in the season as well, and a championship team needs that.

Ask the New England Patriots about it. Without the tuck rule controversy in the snow against the Raiders, the Pats first Super Bowl win wouldn't have happened until last year.

In looking at the playoffs, which team can you honestly say is better than the Steelers?

While it is still difficult to believe a rookie quarterback could lead a team to a Super Bowl Championship, Ben Roethlisberger has never really played like a rookie.

While anything can happen in any given game, where a bad call or key injury can end the season, this Steelers' team has shown remarkable resiliencyÉand had a little bit of luck on its side as well. I think of a punt by Chris Gardocki against the Jets. It wasn't that good of a kick but ended up at the Jets' own four yard line. It teetered along the boundary, wobbling like a bunt on the third base line. But instead of slipping out of bounds, it just kept going and going and going along that sideline, refusing to stop. I expect the Steelers to do the same through February.

I have been accused of being pessimistic. I disagree. I prefer the term "paranoid," and it is my paranoia that is screaming the Steelers won't win the Super Bowl.

Part logic, and part karma - something tells me the Steelers must be running out of the cosmic pixie dust that makes things right. From losing the starting quarterback and the all-pro nose tackle, to the breaking down of the "updated" feature running back - every time the Steelers had to go to the well for the next guy, he starts the path to a career year. After so many trips, the well has to dry up at some point. My paranoia tells me so.

Take into account rolling punts, good calls, even better non-calls, and other good fortunes that continue to go the Steelers' way. Richie Anderson stumbling into Cowboy Vinny, Troy Polamalu not getting a flag against the Giants, a cheap roughing the passer call continuing a Steelers' drive the very next series. Don't forget about the Dolphins upsetting the Pats. These things are too good to not have some bad coming due. The Steelers have spent the entire season making chicken salad out of what was predicted to be chicken doody.

All season long the question has been, "how many more injuries can the Steelers have?" For most of the season, the answer has been "one more." As the Steelers face two teams fighting for their postseason lives, the answer is now "NO MORE."

Lose Bettis at this point and what do you have? Besides Big Ben, Bettis is the biggest "upgrade through attrition" of the season. Through 15 games, however, the upgrade concept is depleted - Alonzo Jackson?

The margin of error is too thin in the playoffs to not need some magic (and more healthy starters) to earn a Super Bowl victory. Too much cosmic pixie dust gets used in a magical regular season; there isn't enough left for the playoffs. 

Please understand; my heart doesn't want this. My paranoia says this. I now feel shame.

Guy and Eddy host a talk show on ESPN Radio 1250.