HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO! PITTSBURGH’S GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! Whoooooo! Beating the ratbirds just hits different. Yeah, I still think the season is cooked, and yeah, I still want big changes in Pittsburgh. But nothing, nothing, beats ripping the soul out of your rival and maybe torpedoing their season in the process.

You had Poni calling out Lamar for his choking ways all week, and Lamar fired back like this time would be any different. And then Sunday happened. Spoiler: it wasn’t different.

DK Metcalf was finally DKKKKKKK! The man played like someone made him mad on purpose, and God bless whoever did. After 3–4 long weeks of watching George Pickens dominate in Dallas while our WR room stayed quiet, DK showed up and refused to be stopped. And like I said in my last blog, Rodgers finally has his vets. MVS and Adam Thielen didn’t do much on the day. With Thielen having the only grab of the afternoon for 4 yards. Their presence alone freed DK to feast.

Rodgers played his cleanest game of the year. He was ripping throws, controlling the offense, and even hitting a discount double check in his little brother’s house. I’m still laughing.

Being atop the division feels great, but let’s be real. You can’t survive giving up 200+ rushing yards and rushing for under 40. That’s not a recipe. That’s a warning label. If Rodgers keeps punishing defenses deep, things will settle. But come January, you win by running the rock. Missing LT Broderick Jones won’t help, and Darnell “Mount” Washington still has to clear concussion protocol. We need bodies back.

Now we turn the page and welcome the warm-weather Miami Dolphins into a chilly “Three Rivers.” This is shaping up to be a classic Tomlin fistfight. Physical, ugly, and electric. And if I know Coach T, he’ll have the boys ready to swing.

The ratbirds can cry, claw, and complain about the refs all they want, but facts are facts. The 6-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers sit on top of the AFC North until further notice.

— Flip