NFL:

Pitt travels to STL on Thursday :

Clearly the Steelers are in a tough spot. There slide in my opinion started in the MNF game vs Balt cause it was such a brutal , hard hitting game. The following week they had an improved Browns team looking for some payback for the opener. Pitt on short rest didnt play that well on defense on teh opening drive but corrected themselves as teh game progressed. There flaw was on special teams allowing 2 huge plays which basically led to 14 points and a turnover deep in there territory. Then they traveled to NY who they probably took to lightily but also were exhausted after two tough games. They lose in OT and further show they can be had on the road.Then a MNF game in disgusting weather and field conditions versus the worst team in the NFL , Miami. They kick a late FG and win 3-0. Next up a SNF game in rain vs Cincy where they started slow and adjusted to shutdown Cincy. Now in this period the defense played real well except for a few situations. Then they face NE which may have been there Super Bowl but did so w/o Polamalu. The had theer chances but couldnt make the big play and NE did twice vs the secondary. Then they had to battle Jax in brutal weather and again another rough , hard hitting game.

Now they have a short week after a brutal game. The 2nd H was probably the worst ball STL has played with Bulger and Jackson available. A close game at half was turned into a blowout thanks to sloppy play. The past 2 weeks should leave concern for Pitts defense. There offense is playing fairly well but the OL has struggled to protect Big Ben. Hagans and Kirschke could miss this game. Marvell Smith is OUT. Kirschke is already placing Aaron Smith.

With an ailing defense I would expect a close game. Which leads me to STL 1st H (again) and the Over .

Saturday...Dallas travels to Carolina.

Don't look now but Carolina has won 2 straight at home. They caught Seattle in a terrible spot flying cross country after clinching the division. The Panthers defense is solid but has been sabotaged by its awful offense, Matt Moore was able to move the ball some and the defense had a shutout for 3 quarters.

Again though Dallas is coming off a BATTLE with Philadelphia. They lost Roy Williams to suspension for the horse collar , Romo has some issues with his thumb on his throwing hand , Chris Canty left to injury , as did Gurode at Center and Special teamer Pat Watkins.

Since the GB game the Boys have looked terrible barely beating DET and now losing to Philly who really didnt do much that day. They did pressure Romo and he couldnt do anything besides hit Jason Witten.

While CAR looks real attractive my concern is Dallas jumping out to an early lead leaving CAR unable to recover. However we know DALLAS typically starts slow. The injury report is key here. You have to watch Thomas Davis and Julius Peppers for Car.

One would expect a low scoring game seeing how well Dallas defense played last week factored with Car needing a low scoring affair to compete. The Canty / Willaims issues make it less attractive though. Dallas has not performed well laying double digits especially in both road games @ Buffalo and @ Det.