Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13

Good thing about Sundays is all the talk stops. It's put up or shut up time.

Yeah, that's a direct stab at Pittsburgh Steelers reserve safety Anthony Smith. I repeat: Reservesafety Anthony Smith. He esentially guaranteed a win over the Patriots, the second year in a row he's made that promise.

It's one thing to talk junk as a proven veteran like last week's mouthpiece, Miami LB Joey Porter. But a non-starter flappin' his gums from the sidelines? For goodness sakes, Smith might not even play today. How is someone gonna talk the talk and leave it up to his teammates to back it up? That's cowardly.

Most people would know when to keep their trap shut after being punked on national tv a year ago. The offense specifically attacked Smith and made him look silly. Even QB Tom Brady uncharacteristically got in Smith's face after a touchdown pass. Shoot, even head coach Bill Belichick took a swipe at Smith when he said after the game, "I've seen better safetys than him." Dissed by a head coach? Owch!

I can only imagine how Smith's teammates felt with this second guarantee. How many of them rolled their eyes, wanting to shut Smith up themselves? For a guy that has done nothing in the league, Smith talks too much and his teammates feel the same. He's the friend that keeps getting his buddies in trouble and soon Smith's teammates will tire of sticking up for his loose lips.

And to make a guarantee for a game that's virtually even takes no cojones. It's one thing to guarantee a win when your team is a huge underdog. But the truth is, if this game was played at a neutral site, The Steelers, with their top ranked defense and better record, would be favored to win

This win guarantee by Smith is absolutely worthless. The value goes down further if he barely plays and does not make a contribution to the outcome. But if the Steelers don't win today, then it proves what everyone already knows: Talk is cheap.

 A few things I'm looking for today:

Run, Cassel Run! -Matt will be under the Blitzburgh heat all game long. He will have to make plays with his feet in and out of the pocket, whether gaining yards on the ground or buying time before throwing a pass.

Soft Spots -DE Brett Keisel and LT Marvel Smith will not play for Pittsburgh today. Maybe their absence creates weaknesses that New England can exploit.

Finish Big Ben -Ben Roethlisberger causes the most damage when he breaks tackles and extends plays. If a defender gets their hands on Big Ben, they must bring him down.

In the past I called the Steelers frauds. Not this year. Pittsburgh is a great team. But they are vulnerable. The secondary is suspect. If the Pats can provide Cassel with enough time, the Patriots will once again get the better of the Steelers.