So does that mean the Steelers will give their SB ring to the Cardinals, since Zona would have won were it not for James Harrison’s Pick 6? :)
Turnovers are part of the game, and influences the entire progression of play. There’s no way of knowing what would have happened if the Green Bay D didn’t force those turnovers
I agree luck in many many forms is part of the game: turnovers, funny bounces, wind (when outside), fan noise, bad calls/missed calls (a sad fact of life, refs can't see everything all the time), bumps, trips, slips (what was up with the field anyway? Lots of guys were slipping...), players getting hot and doing something stupid (drawing a flag), domes collapsing... Heck, if luck weren't part of the game, we'd just play the pre-season, collect some stats on the players, and everyone would figure out who beat who. Ha, ask any fantasy football player how well that works out...
My only issue is with the few people I've run into here who seem to refuse to admit that luck could have had anything to do with GB's win. I guess they think +3 and 21 points off turnovers is the norm. They must've been awfully disappointed in all those games where the Packers didn't get their 3 for 21. (which a quick check of the GB website shows only happened 4 other times this year) ;-) Me? Hey, I readily admit luck played a big part in getting the Steelers in the game. I don't think it detracts from the team - far from it. Catching a break once in a while makes up for all those frustrating times things go against you. For example, the Steelers' two playoff games were not their best efforts of the year. It was only good luck - in that the Ravens and Jets had uncharacteristically even worse games - that got them there. Steelers probably used up an entire season's worth of luck in the Raven's game alone. I mean, who goes into the half trailing the Ravens by 14 and still wins? The Steelers and Ravens are far too evenly matched, the Steelers couldn't have managed that comeback without some luck.
The good news for both teams is next year looks to be a good year. That is, providing they can keep everyone healthy - GB's RBs and DBs, Steelers O line... (more of that luck thing) Also, someone in GB needs to take Nelson aside and glue his hands together for a week. ;-) Seriously, I'll predict right now GB wins their division. Detroit will probably be a non-factor, again, Minn will be doing {Deity} knows what with a new QB and possibly another coach. Chicago? I think you guys can take them and come up with a better record. I'd give the Steelers an 80% chance of hitting the playoffs next year, either as a wildcard or division champ. Any given year it's a coin toss between us and the Ravens for the division. The Steelers will need to get a couple of good DBs - putting Polamalu back in coverage - where he played all the post-season games - just isn't working. He was basically a non-factor in all three games compared to when he plays up.