|
 The
Steeler Report
By Harvey Aronson
http://www.geocities.com/steelerhotline/
Game
Predictions - Week 16
Dateline: 12/15/00
Before we get to the experts picks for tomorrow's final game in Three
Rivers Stadium, the Pro Bowl rosters were announced yesterday, and the
Steelers had one, that's right ONE player named. Linebacker Jason Gildon
made the squad. That really comes as no surprise, but not putting Jerome
Bettis on the AFC team also came as a mild surprise. Instead, Edgerrin
James deservedly was named, and will be backed up by Eddie George (o.k.,
he deserves the honor) and finally Corey Dillon. Dillon is a question
mark, but there he is going to Hawaii. Wayne Gandy may also have
deserved at least reserve status, but he too was shunned.
Tomorrow's game will be preceded by the national anthem sung by Hank
Williams Jr. For the game, Washington has deactivated Mike Sellers,
Lloyd Harrison, Tony Hutson and Kenny Shedd. It will be a homecoming of
sorts for Linebacker Lavar Arrington, as he graduated from my alma
mater, North Hills High School. Now for the picks:
Now for the picks:
ESPN Staff (Joe Theismann, Merril Hoge, Sean Salisbury,
Schottenheimer, Mark Malone, Ron Jaworski, Mike Golic, Chris Mortensen):
All but Horton and Pitzer picking Pittsburgh against the spread.
The
Sporting News Staff (Paul Attner, Dave Darling, Carl Moritz, Gary
Horton, Mike Nahrstedt, Matt Pitzer, Dan Pompei): Only Pitzer is picking
Pittsburgh
Bob Harmon, CBS Sportsline: Washington 24, Pittsburgh 17
Pro Football Weekly Staff (Hub Arkush, Ron Pollack, Neil Warner, Keith
Schleiden, Dan Arkush, Jeff Agrest, Trent Modglin): Only Schleiden and
Modglin are picking the Redskins against the spread.
CBS Sportsline (Len Pasquarelli Bart Wright Derek Harper): Only
Harper is picking the Redskins against the spread.
Peter O'Brien, USA
Today: STEELERS, 23-17
Jay Novacek, MSNBC
Sports: Steelers
Gary
Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers, 13-7
Steelers Hotline:
Think about the emotions surrounding this game tomorrow. There will be
more than a handful of former Steeler players in attendance as the team
closes out Three Rivers Stadium. As the current roster of players is
down on that field; looking around them surrounded by great players from
the past; players who have won multiple Super Bowls; the aura of
greatness is going to seep into this teams' blood. Then they will take
that emotion out to the field and defeat Washington. The defense should
be hitting the Skins like Mel Blount used to do to opposing receivers.
Earl Holmes will take a chapter from the book of his namesake, Ernie
Holmes and punish Washington players. Expect Chad Scott to make a few
big hits, as he tries to remind fans of Donnie Shell. Kordell should
have a big game as he brings back memories of Joe Gilliam. And Jerome
Bettis will make like his in Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier all rolled
into one package. This should be a complete game for Pittsburgh as they
take advantage of a broken-down Washington squad that is lost not only
on the field but in their mental capacity as well. They are a beaten
team, demoralized by preseason picks that they would be going to the
Super Bowl, and as it stands now they may not even make the playoffs.
Pittsburgh 34, Washington 9
--Harvey
Aronson, Steelers Hotline
For
More Information:
Pittsburgh
Steelers
Get info on training camps and schedules, commentary on the games, stay
up to date with the new stadium construction, purchase tickets, browse
through the team roster and statistics, check out the Steelers' merchandise and more at these great
Steelers' Web sites!
|
