How to Turn a 20 Point Lead in to a Nail Biter: A Lesson from Dick LeBeau.

How do you turn a 20 point lead into a nail biter? I'll give you three ways:

1. Stupid Penalty
2. Stupid Penalty
3. Stupid Penalty

I swear, it's during games like the Steelers 27-21 defeat of the "Bungles" on Monday Night Football that I find out just how much I love this team. The Steelers kill me when they blow big leads. I am sure it affects many of you the same way. Your blood pressure rises. You can't take your eyes off the television. You snap at anyone who tries to talk during the plays. You throw or kick something across the room and scare the dog. Thank God there is not a gun or brick in the room, or you would need a new television. I was at a sports bar in Alexandria Va Monday night called 815 Southdside, a common watering hole of mine and a big hangout for Steelers fans. And I had to refrain from throwing my pint of beer.

Here is the scenario: It's about half way through the 4th quarter, around the 13 minute mark, Roethlisberger throws a deep right pass to Miller, pass intercepted by Williams at the Cincinnati 49. So if that's not bad enough, Flozell Adams gets hit with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty to give the Bungles another 15 yards. After that Palmer throws an incomplete pass to Ochocino, but wait, another 15 yards penalty. This time it's Casey Hampton for Roughing the Passer. Next play, Palmer incomplete to Owens, but wait again, a third penalty for 20 yards. Here it is boys and girls, Ike Taylor for Defensive Pass Interference on Owens. Do the math folks, the Steelers just gave up 50 yards, and the Bungles didn't even have to complete a pass. Two runs by Cedric Benson later, the score is now 27-21. The next drive by the Steelers ends with a missed Jeff Reed field goal, wide left from 46 yards. And my mother wonders why I drink.

To give credit where it is due, the Steelers defense did keep the Bungles from scoring on their final possession. The game ending with Harrison and Taylor breaking up a pass to Shipley on 4th and 5.

What worries and bothers me about all this is consistently bad play in the fourth quarter? It is to reminiscent of last year. And remember, the Steelers were 6-2 at this point last year, and supposedly a Super Bowl contender. None of us want to go through that again. And it's not just penalties. We are currently ranked 4th in total defense and 1st in rushing defense. But here is the kicker, we are ranked 24th in passing defense. So the strategy to score on the Steelers is simple, throw the ball. And when do our opponents throw the ball? In the 4th quarter when they are down and need to score. The problem is, it works.

Dick Lebeau is a great defensive coordinator, probably one of the greatest ever. He is in the Hall of Fame and the guys love playing for him. But our 4th quarter defense can not consist of giving up yards and committing stupid penalties. I thought Bryant McFadden coming back would help remedy that problem, but it really hasn't. William Gay is playing better this year. I am not going to condemn him for getting burned a few times by T.O. I personally can't stand T.O., but he is a great receiver.

Steelers Nation just needs to hang in there and pray. Pray that LeBeau can fix this problem. And if he does. Maybe, just maybe, we will be climbing the Stairway to Seven.