A little behind the times this week, as things have been a bit crazy OUTSIDE the Ward, believe it or not.

Not gonna dwell too much on the Steeler game from Sunday, as I'm typically one to accentuate the positive, and, well....lets just say there wasn't a whole hell of a lot of positives coming from yesterday. If there are any, it's that the defense has still been great, and that this may possibly help the Steelers open up some swing passes, or learn to roll the pocket.

There was no one offensive lineman who played terribly, they all did. Maybe Kendall Simmons was concerned about a coming phone call. Maybe it's because Kemoeatu was back to the fro rather than the rows. Maybe Wille Colon was pissed about missing the last game at Yankee Stadium, or the new building next door replacing his childhood stomping grounds. Maybe Justin Hartwig channelled his inner Sean Mahan. Maybe Marvel Smith was just hungry.

Or, maybe the Eagles and Jim Johnson deserve credit where it's due.

The Eagles were criticized in the local media about their lack of pass rush against Dallas (and the Rams, but they didnt need one against that inept franchise), and had zero, I repeat, ZERO sacks coming into this game. Jim Johnson dialed it up. The Steelers came in and tried to throw right from the outset. A strategy which delighted Eagles LB Trent Cole. They actually never really tried to establish the run, and when they did, it was Parker up the middle, Davis around the edges, when if anything it should have been vice versa. Screens WERE attempted, despite what you may see elsewhere, but they were WR screens rather than swing passes to Willie, Mewelde, or Rashard as they should have been. Long story short, the Steelers offense had no answer for the blitz, and an angry Steeler nation seems to place the blame just as much on Larry Zeirlein and Bruce Arians as they do the offensive line.

STEELER WEEK 3 NOTES:

• Some injuries to speak of, but Roethlisberger, who of course left the game with a hand injury, should be fine and ready to go for Baltimore on Monday night. I'm surprised he wasnt hurt more with all the punishment he took. Willie Parker sprained his knee late in the game and has been ruled out for the Ravens game. No word on how long he pay be out, but my thought would be that if Mendenhall carries the load well against Baltimore, the Steelers may be more apt to hold Willie out of the Jacksnoville game as well, thus giving him that plus the bye week to fully heal. The other injury, to Nose Tackle Casey Hampton might be a huge blow to the defensive line who is already without DE Brett Keisel at least until after the bye week. With Baltimore and Jacksonville coming up, two teams who love to run the ball, losing the big snack would be about the last thing the Steelers would want.

• Nate Washington just impresses me less and less each week. That said, I don't know why he seemed to be the target of passes ONLY when he was covered by Asante Samuel. Additionally...if Limas Sweed can't beat him out for the last WR spot on gameday, I may be a tad bit concerned with our 2nd round selection there.
  

OTHER NFL WEEK 3 OBSERVATIONS:

• Redskins WR Santana Moss now has a TD reception in 6 straight games, dating back to last season. Looks like him and Jason Campbell are developing into quite the tandem under Jim Zorn's west coast offense.

• Speaking of streaks, one was broken in Foxborough Sunday, when Ronnie Brown accounted for 5 Dolphins touchdowns and the Dolphins rolled the Patriots, just as Joey Porter said they would. We all remember the last time a visiting team made some negative comments about the Patriots prior to playing them at Gilette stadium. But unlike one Anthony Smith, our old pal Joey Porter made sure that his play backed up his words, and made a positive impact on the game.

• Didnt we tell you the Chargers would be pissed off and take it out on the Jets?

• Excruciating week for the Ward on picks. A 5-10-1 week puts a big damper on our overall record. We'll pick it up and move forward starting this week.

• Week 3 Fantasy Prediction Hits: Michael Turner, Marshawn Lynch, Antonio Bryant, Larry Fitzgerald, Jay Cutler, Frank Gore, Greg Jennings, Chris Chambers.

• Week 3 misses: John Carlson, Braylon Edwards, Anthony Gonzalez, Brian Westbrook.

• New Power Rankings coming today

OTHER:

• Dale Sveum Watch: Brewers beat our Buccos 7-5 due to a Prince Fielder Walk Off. They pick up no ground however, as the Mets beat the Cubs behind yet another strong Johan Santana performance. Brewers remain one game back of the Mets, who are 1.5 back of the Phillies. Should come right down to the weekend!