Early Christmas Gift from San Diego

Well, as the title suggests, the Steelers get an absolute gift from San Diego last night as the Chargers open up a big old can of Whoopass on the Ravens. Now, the Steelers can win out and not only win the AFC North, but secure the #1 seed in the AFC. Who'd have believed it?

This now raises a huge question for Rooney U: to play or not play the hobbled Ben Roethlisberger tonight against the 49'ers? Here are the possibilities, as I see it:

• Ben plays, avoids further injury, Steelers win. Best possible outcome.


• Ben plays, avoids further injury, Steelers lose. Hey, it can happen, the 49'ers are a pretty good team.


• Ben sits, Steelers win. Not likely.


• Ben sits, Steelers lose. Right back where we were prior to the Ravens choke job of last night.


• Ben plays, Steelers win OR lose, Ben aggravates injury and is lost for rest of the season. Worst possible outcome.

Making a decision like this is why Mike Tomlin makes the big bucks.

My own guess is that Ben plays tonight, and we all keep our fingers crossed.