Blah. My chronic BFS (battered fan syndrome) is acting up big time this evening. 10 years of mediocrity, failure, and inability to rise to big moments have left scars too deep for one season to heal. Sure, there was the Philadelphia game, but then we learned that Philadelphia sucks. Then there was the Detroit game, but then we learned that the Lions, while very talented, also probably suck, and can't get out of their own way.
Sure, those are games that pre-Harbaugh 49ers teams wouldn't have won, so that's something. But then there's the Ravens game. Short rest? Yes, and the travel schedule was insane. But if I'm honest that's when a little doubt started creeping in. That was a big game for this team, and they failed fairly spectacularly on offense. It was hard to not have flashbacks to previous "big games" in which this franchise always seemed to be unable to put in a good showing.
I'm a little less worried about last week's game, partly because it's becoming more and more apparent that Arizona (especially at home) is not as terrible as I would have thought, but mostly because in division games, that kind of stuff tends to happen. But still. That doubt is creeping in.
All of this is a way of saying: please don't screw me over tonight, guys. I know it's not the Steelers at 100%. Harrison is out and Reotehoshlsltburger is playing on half an ankle, but it's still The Pittsburgh Steelers and it's still in primetime. I want to believe the team has truly turned a corner and that they're capable of not just showing up for a game like this, but actually WINNING a game like this. But I can't do it! 10 years is a long time and it leaves a mark on the psyche. A win tonight would do a lot to alleviate those doubts. A depressing loss tonight and, despite the 10-4 record, they go back to being "those" 49ers. I will expect a swift first round exit from the playoffs. They will have shown that the moment was too big. They can't keep up with New Orleans. They can't beat a good team in a big game. In other words, they're the 49ers.
So please win, guys.
