Time for Steelers to take it away
This isn’t what the NFL had in mind when it decided to send the Steelers and Vikings to London.
The selling points for the game were Ben Roethlisberger and Co. heading across the ocean during a rebound season to face Adrian Peterson and a Minnesota team coming off a playoff appearance.
What the NFL got instead is a pair of 0-3 teams.
To steal some lines from Jim Mora, “Playoffs! Don’t talk about playoffs. You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!”
Mora’s classic line came moments after his Colts lost a game to the San Francisco 49ers in 2001, turning the ball over five times.
The first part of Mora’s now-famous tirade following that loss addresses the five turnovers.
“When you turn the ball over five times. . . . you ain’t going to beat anybody,” he said.
Which brings us to the Steelers.
In three games, Pittsburgh has turned the ball over nine times. The Steelers are the only NFL team that has yet to force a turnover.
That has to change at some point, right?
Enter the Vikings, a team that has 10 turnovers. Sure, the Vikings have forced 10 turnovers, but only the winless Giants (13) have given up the ball more often than Minnesota.
Do you see a trend?
Turnovers equal losses. Lots of turnovers equal lopsided losses.
The Steelers are 1-point favorites to beat the Vikings. It says here that they are due to force at least one turnover. Even in 2011, when they forced only 15 turnovers, they never went more than two games without having at least one takeaway. And they certainly didn’t go four games without one.
The law of averages says the Steelers are due.
Besides, Big Ben has to perform well playing in the shadow of Big Ben, right?
Take Pittsburgh, 24-17
I don’t care what the over/under total is, take the over. And Denver.
Take Denver, 42-27
Seems like the Bears should win this. So why are they underdogs?
Take Chicago, 27-24
Las Vegas is betting against the rookie quarterback. So am I.
Take Baltimore, 23-13
The Browns didn’t get the memo from the front office that they were supposed to tank the season to have a shot at a top QB in the draft. They will get it right this week.
Take Cincinnati, 24-14
Like Steelers-Vikings, a meeting of winless teams.
Take Washington, 27-16
Houston could easily be 0-3 instead of 2-1. Seattle looks like NFL’s best team, but I’ll take a running underdog at home.
Take Houston, 23-21
Miami’s unbeaten streak comes to an end in the Big Easy.
Take New Orleans, 31-24
A 20-point spread wasn’t enough in Seattle for Jacksonville. The 8 1/2 – point spread here isn’t enough, either.
Take Indianapolis, 27-13
These Patriots aren’t good enough to be 4-0. The Falcons are too good to be 1-3.
Take Atlanta, 27-24
The Mike Glennon era starts in Tampa. He gets an injury-ravaged Cardinals team that is signing linebackers off the practice squad to start this game.
The Kansas City defense is for real. That’s bad news for the Giants, who were shut out last week in Carolina.
Take Kansas City, 27-13
A pair of 2-1 teams nobody thought would be 2-1. The Titans are more legit than the Jets.
Take Tennessee, 24-17
The Chargers are allowing a ridiculous 470 yards per game.
Last Week: 6-9 ATS; 7-8 Straight up
Overall: 19-24-2 ATS; 31-15 Straight up
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.