Week 17 or Ben's Swan Song at Heinz Field

I want to start this post by saying that even as a Steelers fan, Steelers Twitter may be one of the worst places on the internet. I saw a Steelers fan the other day spell Heinz Field like Hines. Anyway...The Steelers kept their meager playoff chances alive this week by beating the Cleveland Browns 26-14 on Monday night thanks in no small part to Najee Harris. Harris ran for 188 yards, one touchdown and one epic stiff arm.

I think our playoff chances went from 2% to 4% after this win, so let's not hold our breath.

Quick congratulations are in order for Coach Mike Tomlin, who became the first head coach to not have a single losing season in his first fifteen years in the league with this week's win.

This week was full of varying emotions for me. Everyone going off about how amazing Ben is online and on sports shows annoyed me because it seems like everyone has just forgotten about the sexual assault accusations (just kidding this guy def hasn't). Maybe I'm the only person in Pittsburgh who that really stuck with, but I can't forget it. Believe me, I wanted to be right there with everyone else in Heinz field crying and holding up thank you Ben signs, but it was hard for me.

I shouldn't be surprised, sports (particularly football) have always involved hero worshipping pretty average and sometimes not great people. (For examples, see Ray Rice, Antonio Brown [more on him later], Aaron Hernandez and my personal least favorite, Michael Vick). But it's hard to swallow when it's your own team and city worshipping a questionable dumbass.

All that being said, I did cry last night while Ben walked around the stadium, high fiving as many fans as he could whilst visibly holding back tears. In my defense, I've always been a sympathetic crier, and I've watched this guy once a week since I was fourteen.

I can still vividly remember his first game. This is mainly because my entire extended family was together because of a death but still. I shudder to think of the years of mediocre quarterbacks we are in for.

Two scenarios would make me very angry for next year: we start Mason Rudolph (ugh) or we spend a ton of money on another about to retire quarterback (like anti-vax Aaron Rodgers). I would be very unhappy with both of those choices.

Speaking of choices, the other big news this week was Antonio Brown ripping off his jersey and pads halfway through the Buccaneers game and leaving the field. This story is never-ending. Today, AB posted texts between himself and Tom Brady's bff and trainer Alex Guerrero and Buccaneer's coach, Bruce Arians. AB is claiming that he was hurt and couldn't play on his ankle and that Arians refused to accept that, saying if he didn't play he would be cut from the team. I honestly don't have the energy to decide who I believe in this scenario. Can I pick no one? I say fire AB and Bruce Arians (just for fun) and then throw in Brady and just scrap the entire Buccaneer's team.

I just want to say if deciding to go on Dancing with the Stars is the least controversial thing you've ever done, you have probably made some mistakes in your life.

To sum up the entire outrageous calamity for those who don't want to waste an entire week reading about it: AB quit, got fired, or he got fired and then quit.

In another sports episode of things I don't really care about but everyone is talking about this week: Novak Djokovic had his visa to Australia rescinded when it became evident that he didn't really fit the medical exception for getting vaccinated. Djokovic was supposed to defend his Australian Open title. The Open starts Monday, January 17th. Still no word if Djokovic will appeal the decision.

What to watch tonight: Don't miss the Battle of PA at 7 pm. The Penguins are on a hot streak (9 games in a row baby!) and the Philthadelphia Flyers are actually not doing horrible. Should be a good game.