The Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Washington Redskins brings to mind all kinds of historic players that I cannot remember. Ok, so I can remember names like John Riggins or Franco Harris. Maybe Deacon Jones or Jack Lambert ring a bell. These names are not as prominent, however, as the kind of football they represented.
The Steelers and Redskins are two old NFL Franchises that have established traditions as hard-nosed, punishing football teams. These aren't teams that finesse their way to victory with soft, floating passes all over the field. These are two teams that gave us famous nicknames like the Steel Curtain or the Hogs. The Steelers and Redskins represent what football is really all about: knocking the opposition into next week and letting them know who is boss.
With that in mind, I will be watching tonight's game and looking for which team is ready to rise to the occasion and show us who is ready to march through the second half of the season.
The Steelers looked downright pathetic against the New York Giants last week when they blew the game in the fourth quarter. The Redskins have been winning, but against weaker opponents like the Lions and Browns. Tonight's game will be a great indicator to all of us which one of these teams are for real.
The ideal situation, from the perspective of a true football fan, would be to see both teams show up and start spilling the blood and guts all over the turf tonight. To see a real heavyweight fight that ends with two teams barely standing at the end and one team holding their heads high in victory.
There is no telling what will happen. It should be a great test for both teams, and it should be some good football. Personally, I have to give the edge to the Redskins because they are at home, and because I never really liked the Steelers anyway.
