Bengals: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers are a 7 point favorite over the Bengals--too many points, in my opinion. As you probably know, the Bengals defeated Pittsburgh 23-20 in Cincinnati back in week three. It was one of the most frustrating losses by the Steelers in years, as Pitt totally outplayed Cincy, but repeatedly self-destructed when they had chances to put the game away.

Having won five consecutive games since that loss, the Steelers are playing much better football than they did in September. Bengals QB Carson Palmer will also have to contend with former USC roomate Troy Polamalu this time around. And Palmer will be without the services of WR Chris Henry, who is out for the year with a broken arm.

This is a more important game for the Steelers than the Bengals, as a Cincy win would give the Bengals a one-game lead and the tiebreaker advantage over Pittsburgh in the race for the division title. I'm guessing, though, that the Steelers will find a way to win this time around - only a 55 percent chance, however.

'What are the Chances...?' is 6-2 in 2009 and 45-15 all-time.

Mean Joe Greene to receive Clio for 1979 Coca-Cola ad, reunite with Tommy Okon

Prior to the Bengals-Steelers game at Heinz Field this Sunday, Hall of Fame defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene will be on hand to accept his Clio award (thirty years after the fact!) for his work in the legendary 1979 Coca-Cola ad that featured nine-year-old boy Tommy Okon offering Greene his Coke, and Mean Joe tossing his white Steelers jersey to Okon as a gesture of thanks. Apparently, Greene never actually received the hardware for his Clio (an award for creative excellence in advertising), and Coke is using the 30th anniversary of the spot to take the opportunity to present it to him. Okon will also be on hand at the ceremony, reuniting with Mean Joe for the first time in years.

Following is the video for the original ad, which was reprised by Coke Zero in January of this year in a similar spot with current Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

Broncos: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers are three-point favorites over the Broncos in tonight’s game, something of a surprise when one considers that Denver has only one loss thus far this season, and possesses a significant home field advantage. Making matters worse, Pittsburgh will be missing several key starters on defense — including safety Ryan Clark, who is expected to be deactivated, as the last time Clark played in Denver he suffered life-threatening complications when his sickle-cell condition was aggravated by the high altitude.

Nevertheless, the Steelers seem to match up favorably with the Broncos on both sides of the ball. Broncos QB Kyle Orton doesn’t possess a style that typically gives Pittsburgh’s D fits. And Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers have the potential to exploit Denver’s pass defense, provided Big Ben gets reasonably good protection from his O-Line. That’s why the key matchup in the game figures to be Steelers LT Max Starks against Broncos LB Elvis Dumervil, who has already recorded 10 sacks this season.

While the Steelers haven’t won a regular season game in Denver since 1990, I’m guessing this is the year Pittsburgh breaks that streak. I’m giving the Steelers a 55 percent chance of coming out of Denver with a win.

What are the Chances…? is 5-2 thus far in 2009 and 44-15 all-time.

Vikings: What are the Chances…?

The Steelers are currently a five point favorite over the undefeated Vikings. That’s too much. If I were a betting man, I’d bet the Vikings. Don’t get me wrong. The Steelers have a good chance of winning — in fact I’m picking them to win (55 percent chance) — but even if Pittsburgh comes away with a victory, it will likely be by a narrow margin.

What gives me pause is the fact that the Steelers have been unable to put together a complete game thus far in 2009. And it’s going to take a 60-minute effort to defeat a team as good as Minnesota.

The key matchup in the game figures to be Steelers left tackle Max Starks versus Vikings DE Jared Allen.

“What are the Chances...?” is 4-2 in 2009 and 43-15 all-time.

Browns: What are the Chances...?

Last I checked the Steelers were a 14 point favorite over the Browns, which sounds about right, except if trends continue Pittsburgh will lose focus in the fourth quarter and fail to cover. I give the Steelers an 85 percent chance of winning this game - which I am in Pittsburgh to attend, I'm happy to say. The Steelers should be able to run the ball on Cleveland, and it's hard to see the Browns' offense thriving (regardless of who plays QB) against Pittsburgh's D.

"What are the Chances...?" is 3-2 in 2009 and 42-15 all-time.

Steelers fans losing to Lions fans in Chunky Soup contest

Attention Steelers fans. As of this moment, we’re being outvoted by Detroit Lions fans in this week’s Click for Cans matchup by a count of 9,655 – 8,733. That means our undefeated 4-0 record in the contest is in serious jeopardy. Jump in and vote for the Steelers to help ensure a fourth quarter comeback.

Lions: What are the Chances…?

The chances figure to be pretty good that the Steelers will defeat the Detroit Lions, even without the services of starting RB Willie Parker and starting safety Troy Polamalu. Last I checked, the Steelers were 10.5 point favorites, which sounds about right.

No doubt the Steelers will feel right at home in Detroit, as Ford Field was the site of the one of the team’s recent Super Bowl victories, and plenty of Steelers fans will no doubt be in attendance. So let’s assign the Steelers an 85 percent chance of winning.

What are the Chances…? is just 2-2 thus far in 2009, but 41-15 all-time.

Chargers: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers have betrayed me two weeks in a row. But I'm going to pick them to win for a third consecutive week, hoping the third time is the charm. Still, I don't see the Steelers as a 6.5 point favorite, as the oddmakers do. More than likely, it will be a close game, if the Steelers pull it out at all. I'll assign the Steelers a 60 percent chance of winning this near must-win home game.

"What are the Chances...." is 1-2 thus far in 2009, and 40-15 all-time.