By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
THE PITTSBURGH Steelers are in trouble. It doesn’t take a genius to know that — in other words, even Steelers’ fans can realize it. But the schedule is kind the next couple of weeks, which should allow them to get a little bit healthier both in physical status and in league record.
Big Ben should be back from his concussion-like symptoms that created such a team furor last week. Hines Ward was way out of line in his comments, hinting that Roethlisberger should have lied about his headaches and played. But Ward apologized and they’ll get on.
Teammates are a lot like brothers. You can fight over something, but then forget about it. Well, eventually forget about it. Hines may not see too many passes coming his way today.
The loss to Baltimore was damaging last Sunday night, but young quarterback Dennis Dixon was impressive. Even though he threw a crucial interception, that loss had to be blamed on the defense that let the Ravens come back to tie the game.
The Steelers host Oakland today in what should be a piece of cake. The Raiders are an up-and-down team, but their ups usually come at home, not on the road.
Raiders’ quarterback Bruce Gradkowski returns to Pittsburgh where he was star at Seton-LaSalle High.
Local basketball fans may remember the epic game in the Farrell Dresch-McClusky championships game in the 2000-01 season when Gradkowski scored 32 points in an 84-81 overtime win over the host Steelers. Myron Lowe nailed 31 for Farrell in a real shootout.
Gradkowski won’t generate that many points against the Pittsburgh defense and the Steelers should roll against a poor Raider ‘D’. Even the “Lynbo Curse” isn’t strong enough to help Gradkowski as Pittsburgh will romp, 30-6.
After Oakland, the Steelers will face a putrid Browns team on Thursday night, so they can get hot before the final three games.
Meanwhile, the Browns have hardly anybody left from the team that opened training camp. Jamal Lewis, who was a bust anyway this year, safety Brodney Pool and Shaun Rogers are all done for the year — maybe forever.
Today Cleveland faces a rejuvenated San Diego team that has won six straight games. Well, make that seven straight as the Chargers rock the Brownies, 34-10, before booing Cleveland fans who have seen enough.
Last week my picks went 7-6 for a 95-76 season mark. Following are the rest of this week’s predictions (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Seattle (-1) over San Francisco
New Orleans (-91/2) over Washington
NY Giants (even) over Dallas
Indy (-71/2) over Tennessee
Miami (plus 41/2) over New England
Baltimore (plus 21/2) over Green Bay
Denver (-4) over Kansas City
Jacksonville (even) over Houston
Minnesota (no line) over Arizona
Cincy (-13) over Detroit
Carolina (-6) over Tampa
Chicago (-9) over St. Louis
Atlanta (plus 3) over Philly
