OPINION —
EVEN THOUGH the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns meet today, there’s definitely something missing. One thing is the interest of the fans.
I’ve actually run into Steelers fans who said they hoped the Browns would win. Of course, in a way I’m rooting for the Steelers. Hey, despite the rivalry, getting a higher draft pick can sometimes be very crucial to future success. And both teams need help.
Steeler fans of course are reeling from the collapse at the end of the season. In fact, there were a lot of tickets available for the game that normally would be almost impossible to get.
It will be interesting to see who plays. Cleveland’s top two quarterbacks — Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy — are both injured, so the starter will be Thad Lewis (who?). OK, I’m not worried a bit. Lewis played for Duke and we all know the powerful football teams they produce.
Plus rookie running back Trent Richardson is also out with an injury suffered late in last Sunday’s loss to Denver when he should have been out of the game.
So how many top Steelers will play? Maybe if they start Charlie Batch, the last quarterback to get a victory 4 weeks ago, they’ll have a chance. OK, just kidding. At least Ben Roethlisberger shouldered the blame for their last loss and didn’t try to blame offensive coordinator Todd Haley again.
While today’s game is pretty much meaningless, in a way it will determine what players or coaches may be returning next season. For Browns coach Pat Shurmur, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone. In fact, new owners may want to clean house at the top.
But several marginal players on both rosters will be showing what they can do if they hope to be back next year. Even the Steelers should see some shake-ups. Nothing brings about change in the Steel City like not making the playoffs.
And with the turmoil with some of the players like Rashard Mendenhall, you can bet the Rooneys will want to cut them loose if they can. Hey, did Mike Wallace play this year?
Will all the injuries to the Browns, this should be an easy win for Pittsburgh, especially at home. But I don’t think it will be. The Steelers have played down to their competition all season and with nothing really to play for, it will be a close game.
Still, I see Pittsburgh coming out on top, 13-9.
Last week my picks went 11-4 for a season mark of 133-87. Following are the rest of this week’s predictions (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Denver (-16) over Kansas City
New Orleans (--4) over Carolina
Jacksonville (plus 51⁄2) over Tenn.
Dallas (plus 31⁄2) over Washington
Houston (-61⁄2) over Indy
New England (-11) over Miami
Green Bay (-3) over Minnesota
San Fran (-15) over Arizona
Seattle (-10) over St. Louis
Baltimore (plus 3) over Cincy
NY Giants (-91⁄2) over Philly
Chicago (-3) over Detroit
NY Jets (plus 3) over Buffalo
Atlanta (no line) over Tampa
San Diego (no line) over Oakland
Lynn Saternow is sports editor of The Herald. He can be reached at lsaternow@sharonherald.com.
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SPORTVIEW: Even for rivalry game, Steelers vs. Browns lacks interest
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5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. -
Roundup: Sharon baseball squad edges Sharpsville, 5-4
It was a tense Tuesday in Tiger-town.
Twenty-four hours removed from a 1-run Region 2-AA loss at New Wilmington, Sharon High’s baseball team could not afford another setback, otherwise its postseason aspirations were alleviated.
Conversely, region pacesetting Sharpsville could have secured the crown with a win, and the Blue Devils dashed to an early 3-0 lead. -
Roundup: WM sweeps Oil Country Track & Field Invite
West Middlesex swept the team titles on Saturday at the Oil Country Invitational at Oil City High School on Saturday.
Coach Bob Morris’ Ms. Reds accumulated 113 points to grab the crown, followed by Lakeview (107.5), Franklin (84), Meadville (74) and Corry (69.5). - More Sports Headlines
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5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
