What nobody saw coming

Maybe we're all full of crap.

So many things happened on the gridiron that nobody foresaw in their pregame forecasts.

• New England turnovers. Five to be exact. The fumbles were total killers. And this from a team known for it's precise execution and ability to not fall victim to the mistakes that bring down other teams.
• Shawn Alexander getting knocked out with a shot to the melon and watching the game be decided.
• The random nature of big plays involving Santana Moss. His catch of a deflected pass for a TD was superb, and the defense that denied him a game-tightening TD in the last minute was equally outstanding.
• The Steeler pressure on Payton Manning. All season the story of the Colts' offense was that blitzing Manning was futile because he would read it, throw out of it and burn the defense for big yards and easy scores. Pittsburgh had Manning under seige much of the game, causing sacks and throwaways. Manning was effective when the Steelers dropped off him into coverage. Dan Dierdorf managed to say one enlightening thing Sunday (and I promise, it was only one), that Manning is reduced to average when under heavy pressure.
• Gaps in Indy's pass coverage. Pittsburgh sent receivers into the middle beyond the linebackers and found wide open spaces in front of the safeties. Had the Steelers had to continuously score to win this game they would have continued to exploit this.
• Referee Pete Morelli's brain cramp in overturning Troy Polamalu's interception with 5:26 to go in the game. Instant replay is supposed to be available to correct blown calls, not reverse the correct ones. This one was a travi-sham-ockery.
• Jerome Bettis' fumble and Ben Roethlisberger's game-saving tackle.
• Mike Vander Jagt's wide right. Morelli should be thanking the higher powers for this play that saved the Steeler win. He would have been pilloried otherwise.
• Steve Smith's shredding of the Chicago defense. Smith against man-to-man was a mismatch all game. The Bears had only given up double-digit points at home once all season, and Smith made it look easy.

As a result:

NFL Playoff SU winners ATS: 8-0