Picking Steelers, Take Two

It is important to remember when it comes to investments, or sporting prognostications, one is never wrong, but merely sometimes early, or late.

Along that line, I’ve been promoting silver and gold as investments for probably 30 years. At long last, all-time highs are being hit. I was early, yes, but making money eventually still is nice.

When it comes to sporting picks, a few weeks back I liked Pitt at home vs. Miami in a college game. Among the thoughts was Miami was coming north for a cold-weather game late in the season and might not play well.

For a quarter and change, the pick looked good. Then Pitt imploded, or Miami exploded. Regardless, the weather was not as cold as expected, and there was no rain/snow, which helped Miami’s cause.

But, I’m back again, preaching a similar story.

I like the Steelers tonight, giving three points to visiting Miami.

How might this be different than taking Pitt over Miami in a college game a few weeks back?

First, we’re talking night game instead of afternoon, and a temperature expected to be 20 to 30 degrees colder.

I can only imagine what those Dolphins thought, sitting around frigid Pittsburgh yesterday and today, anticipating a huge game in the freezer.

The Steelers play in the stadium formerly known as Heinz Field. At best it has a questionable grass playing surface and very tricky winds.

On this night, the frigid temperatures figure to legislate heavily against a warm-weather team being able to perform well.

Yes, the Steelers have their litany of problems, accentuated by T.J. Watt’s lung woes.

Still, motivation should be sitting on the Steelers bench. The home team needs the win to stay ahead of Baltimore atop the weak AFC North division and thereby slip into the playoffs. Unlike the Kansas City Swifts, the Dolphins still have a playoff pulse, but it is a faint one. They need to win all their remaining games, and get some help. That’s an unlikely parlay.

This is a night when a marginal team such as Miami might be looking for a soft place to recline, admittedly against a similarly marginal team, but one playing at home and with realistic playoff hopes.

Having been proven horribly wrong on that Pitt-Miami college pick, and also whiffing on taking the Steelers over Buffalo the same weekend, I’m bloodied but unbowed.

The Steelers win tonight – I think.