1. Steelers domination

Pittsburgh simply punched the Pats in the collective mouth Sunday. It was the single most impressive performance of any team in Week 13.

The Steelers put on a defensive clinic, led by James Harrison, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley. Harrison is a true candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. As coach Mike Tomlin told us last week, “Harrison makes splash plays that change the complexion of games.”

James Farrior and the Steelers benefited from two Matt Cassel fumbles. (Stephan Savoia / Associated Press)

Red-hot Matt Cassel was sacked five times, tossed two picks and fumbled twice. Tomlin and Dick LeBeau had this defense flying around in Foxboro. And it didn’t help the Pats’ cause when Randy Moss dropped two easy and crucial passes when the game was competitive.

Tomlin has done a remarkable job with the Steelers this year, dealing with injuries and the toughest schedule in football. And he’s smart enough to let LeBeau work his magic on defense.

But be careful before you start making guarantees for Pittsburgh down the stretch. The Steelers are currently the AFC North leader by a game over 8-4 Baltimore. Pittsburgh right now has the coveted No. 2 seed in the AFC. But the Steelers have a hard-charging Dallas team in Pittsburgh this weekend. Even after Pittsburgh’s defensive clinic, do not overlook what Dallas can do in this game. Tony Romo and Co. are clicking. If you get pass protection, Romo can make plays against the Pittsburgh defensive backfield. Dallas’ defense is finally playing like it is capable of performing. DeMarcus Ware will be a handful. Plus, the Steelers have to play in Baltimore, which is never easy. And Pittsburgh still plays the Titans in Tennessee in Week 16.

The offensive line was not a problem this week. Can Dallas, Baltimore and Tennessee exploit this weakness and rattle Ben Roethlisberger and/or contain Willie Parker? I would think so.

But as long as Tomlin’s defense, led by Harrison, attacks the quarterback like it did on Sunday, the upside for this team remains the Super Bowl.

I was incredibly impressed with the Steelers, but I am not going to crown them as division champs or give them a first-round bye — yet.

Five goats

Thanks to a nauseating Thanksgiving performance by the Lions, Adam Schein has lost his appetite for coach Rod Marinelli. See who else winds up on Schein’s Five Goats list.

Buc Ball

Don’t tell anyone. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 9-3.

They picked off Drew Brees — twice — in the final 2:30 of the game. First, underrated safety Jermaine Phillips picks off Brees, setting up Matt Bryant’s game- winning field goal. Brees and the Saints got the ball back and this time are intercepted by Phil Buchanon.

The defensive line got pressure with the front four. Barrett Ruud continued his Pro Bowl season flying around. On a day when Jeff Garcia was a non-factor, this was classic Buc Ball.

Defensive tackle Chris Hovan couldn’t stop raving about Ruud’s play when we chatted on Monday. And Hovan stressed how Monte Kiffin’s defense is the ultimate blend of young studs and classic veterans.

NFL Week 13

Week 13 action

Titans 47, Lions 10 — Recap | Box
Cowboys 34, ‘Hawks 9 — Recap | Box
Eagles 48, Cardinals 20 — Recap | Box
Giants 23, Redskins 7 — Recap | Box
Panthers 35, Packers 31 — Recap | Box
Bucs 23, Saints 20 — Recap | Box
49ers 10, Bills 3 — Recap | Box
Ravens 34, Bengals 3 — Recap | Box
Colts 10, Browns 6 — Recap | Box
Dolphins 16, Rams 12 — Recap | Box
Falcons 22, Chargers 16 — Recap | Box
Steelers 33, Patriots 10 — Recap | Box
Broncos 34, Jets 17 — Recap | Box
Chiefs 20, Raiders 13 — Recap | Box
Vikings 34, Bears 14 — Recap | Box
Texans 30, Jaguars 17 — Recap | Box



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Analysis

• Marvez: Handicapping the playoff races
• Jimmy Johnson: Giants fine without Plax
• Ranking Week 13’s best games

Video

• Marvez: Plaxico done in New York?
• Kramer and Peete on Broncos-Jets
• Online OT: Complete NFL coverage

Photos

• Week 13’s best shots
• Thanksgiving Day shots

Hovan said he had chills talking about the Monday night affair coming up with the Panthers in Carolina. When the NFC South co-leaders met in Tampa, the Bucs defense shut down the DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart duo and picked off Jake Delhomme three times.

Tampa can win in Carolina. And if you examine the schedules down the stretch and factor in Arizona’s no-show on Thanksgiving night, I’d call the Bucs the favorite for the No. 2 seed. How crazy is that!

3. Weekly Norv

Going for two in the third quarter? Only Norv. I have a great idea. Let’s just give him a lifetime job. This is a total train wreck in San Diego.

4. NFC North — play here, play there, ‘just don’t drop it’

When the playoff wheel stops spinning we could look back at couple of plays in Week 13 that shaped the division.

Minnesota’s goal-line stand in the second quarter against Chicago was impressive. The Bears were about to go up 14-3. And if you force the Vikes to play catch-up and abandon the run, they don’t win. Instead, Lovie Smith and Ron Turner dial up awful plays including a third-down fullback dive and a Matt Forte run straight into the best defensive line in football.

If you want to go for it, roll out Kyle Orton on play action. Minnesota, predictably, stuffed Forte on fourth down. It then set up Gus Frerotte hitting Bernard Berrian for 99 yards. The receiver said that he heard the crowd rise and get loud and he was thinking as he found himself wide open was, “Just don’t drop it.” Berrian also told us Monday on the Sirius Blitz on Sirius NFL Radio that he’s been lobbying Minnesota to call that play all season long.

Meanwhile in Green Bay, even worse than Charles Woodson giving up the 54-yard bomb to Steve Smith to set up DeAngelo Williams’ fourth touchdown of the day, how do you give up 45 yards to Mark Jones on the kickoff return?

I don’t want to hear that the Packers, now 5-7, would be better off with Brett Favre. This was a signature Aaron Rodgers game, bringing his team back from a 21-10 deficit. But losing was all about the Green Bay defense.

But the Packers aren’t dead yet. This is the NFC North after all. I think all three clubs win in Week 14.

5. It’s over for Plax

Plaxico Burress, based on the New York City gun laws, deserves to go to jail.

Plaxico Burress, based on precedent from Roger Goodell’s office, will be suspended for violating the league’s code of conduct policy. Remember, you do not have to be found guilty in a court of law to violate this policy.

Plaxico Burress, based on how the Giants have always run their organization stemming from the late Wellington Mara, will never play another down for the Giants again.

6. Giant win

When you think about it, the Giants’ win in Washington was flat-out amazing. Washington is a division rival playing for its postseason life. The club was honoring Sean Taylor. The Giants had to deal with Burress accidentally shooting himself in a New York City club with a loaded gun he didn’t have a permit for. They Giants had to deal with Antonio Pierce’s alleged involvement.

And yet, Tom Coughlin had his team focused and ready. The Giants dominated Washington in every single phase.

Eli Manning was outstanding. The first drive, when he hit Burress’ replacement Dominic Hixon twice for first downs and then capped it off with a gorgeous throw to a streaking Amani Toomer for a 40-yard touchdown along the sideline, told the entire story of domination.

Rian Lindell is looking for a place to hide after this kick against the 49ers. (David Duprey / Associated Press)

7. Fold the Bills

I was dead wrong on Buffalo being a surprise team this year.

Can Rian Lindell make a field goal?

And how does Dick Jauron not only go for it instead of kicking a field goal down 10-3, but he throws a pass with J.P. LOSMAN on a 4th-and-1 instead of running the ball? I am at a total loss. A win keeps the Bills in the hunt and you lose to the lowly Niners?? Why would I believe the Bills will now win in Toronto against the plucky 7-5 Dolphins this Sunday?

8. Denver’s underrated stars

Jay Cutler was outstanding against the Jets on Sunday. The tight ends caught 13 passes. Peyton Hillis looked like Adrian Peterson, gashing the previously stout Jets run defense for 129 rush yards.

But I think the game balls go to tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris for allowing all of the above to happen.

Clady won’t win Offensive Rookie of the Year as I predicted in the preseason because of Matt Ryan’s legendary rookie season. But Clady will get one of my votes for the Associated Press All-Pro team.

Clady and Harris have been remarkable in pass protection all season long.

9. Freddie T speaks out

Here’s what Jaguars running back Fred Taylor had to say about the chemistry for the Jags when he joined John Riggins and I on the Sirius Blitz last week.

“In my 11 years this is probably the worst team, emphasize the word ‘team,’ that I’ve been on. We have some outstanding players but the mix is bad. We can’t really find that chemistry that we need. Usually, I think, if you have that chemistry good things just tend to happen to you just because. But we don’t have that mix and it’s just tough right now.”

In a word — wow.