No season of football ends painlessly, unless there is confetti, a trophy and a parade. This season is no different, and the fact that the Steelers engineered a remarkable comeback before losing made the loss to the Jaguars even more difficult to take.

The Ugly

Ben's Three First-Half Interceptions

Ben Roethlisberger was clearly pressing without a running game. He was likely told all week that the game was on him (rightfully so) and he did his best in the 1st half to make things happen. Unfortunately, he mostly made things happen for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville stuck elite corner Rashean Mathis on Santonio Holmes and dared the Steelers' other receivers to try to get deep. It wasn't happening, and Ben unwisely forced the ball to Holmes despite the fact that Mathis was shadowing him step for step all over the field. The interception intended for Najeh Davenport was simply a terrible decision on the move. The last interception to Derek Landri was a poor throw that was made worse by the fact that Roethlisberger likely didn't see Landri at all.

Ben is not a game manager, he's the exact opposite. He's prone to forcing the issue when it's just not there, because he wants to score a touchdown every single drive even when he's getting no protection and has no running game. I understand the mentality (playoff game, injuries at key positions that rendered the offense one-dimensional), but there are worse things in the NFL than punting (well, maybe not for the Steelers). One of two things will happen - either Ben will adapt his game to the quality of the personnel around him, or Kevin Colbert will provide him with the tools he needs to actually make scoring on every drive a reasonable goal.

2 Point Conversion From the 12

Mike Tomlin followed his chart, which is what a first year coach should be expected to do. The "chart" however, is only valid under the assumption that there won't be multiple scores after the conversion attempt. Hindsight is 20/20, but the chances of converting a 2 pointer are about 51% without being pushed back because of a penalty. From the 12, the chances of succeeding have to be incredibly slim. Tomlin should have taken the point and let the chips fall.

96 Yard Kickoff Return

Shades of 2001. You just can't give up long yardage on returns in a playoff game and expect to win. The situation is further compounded by the fact that you're left to squib-kick for the remainder of the game, gifting field position when it's a prized commodity. Having designated special teamers is great. Having slow, unathletic special teamers is a recipe for failure. Guys like Andre Frazier, Marquis Cooper and Anthony Madison are a dime a dozen. It's time to build true depth with players with the necessary measurables who can contribute on special teams until they're ready to help out in other areas. The Steelers went from a perfect start to hints of another debacle because of one kickoff return.

 

The Bad

QB Sweep

When a play works, it's genius. When a play fails, it's stupid. The quarterback sweep on 3rd and 6 during the second to last offensive drive was the same play the Steelers used on 3rd and 4 to seal the win against the Broncos in the 2005 AFC Championship game.

Najeh Davenport

He ran extremely tentatively and was ineffective, though the offensive line didn't help him much. To watch that game was to realize what an incredibly valuable player Willie Parker has become.

More Sacks

Six different Jaguars registered sacks. The blame could be spread to every member of the Steelers' offensive line except (shockingly) Trai Essex. Ben gets a nice portion of the blame as well. Forget winning the Super Bowl next season, the goal should be to allow 25 sacks or less and everything else will take care of itself.

 

The Good

Ben's a Warrior

It's yet another game where Ben didn't lose, he just ran out of time. He single-handedly put it on himself to rescue the team not just from a loss, but from embarrassment. Ben tried to do too much in the first half, and he threw three interceptions. His approach didn't really change in the second half, he technically still tried to do too much. But he was clicking, and he played a perfect half of football against a good defense in a playoff game while missing his starting running back and his starting left tackle from an already poor line.

Here's to Ben having a great offseason, one even more focused and productive than last season. Remember, the guy is 25 years old.

Woodley

Lamarr Woodley made a statement. He earned the LOLB job for 2008 on Saturday night, case closed. He's still got plenty to learn, but Tomlin clearly believed that his best chance to win was with Woodley in the game.

Tomlin's Team Didn't Quit

Some predicted mutiny. Some predicted his players would quit. Some predicted that the old veterans wouldn't sell out.

That was last March.

Tomlin's team didn't have a single reason to believe they could win that game after what happened in the first half. Every element of the team that has been sketchy failed. Offensive line. Running game. Run defense. 3rd down defense. Kick coverage. All the data did nothing but confirm the suspicions. Time to pack it in, right?

Tomlin's team didn't quit. They kept plugging. Ben, Hines Ward and Heath Miller stepped up like the vets and team leaders they are. James Harrison kept coming, mugging at the hands of Khalief Barnes and all. Casey Hampton found a second wind. And a third. Ike Taylor caught the ball. James Farrior played in the backfield.

This is Mike Tomlin's team, but to his credit his leaders stepped up. 28-10 with four minutes left in the 3rd quarter is quitting time for a lot of teams, especially one that lost 3 of the last 4 games and had a gaggle of starters sitting out.

Effort. It's not much to ask, but it's everything.

 

The Fine Five

1. Patriots

I won't miss any of their playoff games. PIT/JAX plus a New England win in the Super Bowl would be cruel.

2. Indianapolis

I think they might be prime for an upset next weekend, but I'd feel a lot more confident if Norv Turner wasn't coaching the Chargers. I think LaDainian Tomlinson might run for 200 yards against the Colts in that dome, and Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson caught fire against the Titans. I just don't think this is a good matchup for Indianapolis, though they're clearly the 2nd best team in the NFL.

3. Dallas

There's drama in Dallas. I can see the headlines now if Dallas loses:

4. Green Bay

I'm officially rooting for the Packers among the remaining teams. If Brett Favre wins a Super Bowl at 38, the Ironman will knock the Pats' story into afterthought status.

5. Jacksonville

They're going to get creamed against the Pats. Shades of AFCCG 2004.

 

Quote of the Week

"I dug us a hole. I'm ashamed of the way I played today. I told the guys I apologize and it's unfortunately that it had to end this way."

- Ben Roethlisberger, All-Pro Self-Flagellator

 

The Awards Section

Offensive Player of the Week

Hines Ward. He was quiet early, but he took over in the 2nd half when it became obvious that the Jags weren't going to let Santonio beat them.

Defensive Player(s) of the Week

Ike Taylor. The Steelers' coverage was excellent, though the Jags' passing game is sub-par. And though the INT was a gimme, there's not such thing with Taylor, who seems to save his interceptions for playoff games.

Special Teams Player of the Week

This award has been canceled.

Goat of the Week

Bob Ligashesky. In the playoffs, there are no excuses. If you can't trust your charges to kick it "straight up" after a long kickoff return, why trust them before?

 

Stat of the Week

I needed NFL Sunday Ticket to view exactly 5 games this season. That's 50 dollars a game.

 

Factoid of the Week That I Hope Interests Someone Besides Me

What to watch now?

Well, the Penguins are on a 6 game winning streak, so that's a great thing.

The Pitt basketball team looked promising, but injuries to Mike Cook (out for the year) and Levance Fields (out for 2 months) are going to make it difficult for the Panthers to improve on previous seasons.

Luckily for me, there's North Carolina basketball, the #1 team in the nation, undefeated and loaded. Yes, my second "love" is the Tarheels even though I grew up in Pittsburgh. Why? J.R. Reid, believe it or not, way back in the late 80's. They always stuck with me (thanks, Chris Webber) and now they're on local TV.

 

One Thing I Know I Think

1. This is the last Monday Evening Quarterback of the season. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Kudos to FC, Iron_City and Fury! for their excellent contributions over the course of the season. The offseason (and the draft!) awaits.

 

Who I Like This Year, and I Don't Mean Media Bangwagons

Giants over Cowboys. Packers over Seahawks. Chargers over Colts. Pats over Jaguars.

Packers over Giants. Chargers over Pats.

Packers over Chargers.