Crosby is #1 and Malkin is #6. Click the link to see which other Penguins made the list compiled from a player questionnaire.

For the past week, I have been wondering why Crosby suddenly sought the neck specialist on the west coast. Now it is clear to me: Crosby wants to play despite his symptoms.

Hence, he went to the neck specialist to try and get his injury re-classified. Now it's no longer a concussion, it's a neck injury, and the regulations regarding concussions no longer apply.

The linked article reveals how the rebranding of his injury will help him get back on the ice: "He said he has felt a little better in the past week and is optimistic since the injury has been diagnosed as a neck problem rather than a concussion."

This makes a lot of sense for everyone involved. Does the NHL have a right to keep him sidelined for headaches? Do they want to test that in court? He certainly wants to get back out there, and the Penguins certainly want him back.

Mario's 5 goals 5 ways is an impressive, but not a very repeatable feat. On the other hand, 3 goals: one scored at Even Strength, on the Power Play, and Shorthanded, is impressive and seemed like something that would be rare enough to mark a genuine achievement.

...Until someone creates the Alex Ovechkin hat trick (Empty Net Goal, Power-Play Assist, Questionable Hit)...

I'd just like to point out that Malkin is now tied for the league lead in points. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. For most of this season he has been the best player in the league, and if he hadn't missed so many games early in the season (Sedin has played 9 more), then he would be running away with it.

Is this really a surprise to anyone?

Ugh. It feels like I've been punched in the stomach.

In Roger Goodell's magical fairyland, it's officially worse to be written about in the tabloids than to commit actual crimes and go to jail. This is proved in the case of Cedric Benson, whose suspension was reduced to one game. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion, but comparing this to Ben's four game suspension for what amounted to unsubstantiated rumors makes Goodell look exactly like the Steeler-hating biased %$# that he is.

Manning told The Indianapolis Star that he would sit next to Colts quarterbacks coach Ron Turner and would be a "resource." He also plans to participate in the team’s pregame routine and at halftime.

"He was sentenced last month after striking deals for two misdemeanor assault cases stemming from separate incidents in Austin, Texas (the last one occurred two months ago during the lockout). He eventually served five days in jail just before the start of the season. "

You don't need me to tell you that Goodell hates the Steelers. It's blatantly clear. There were NO CHARGES brought against Ben Roethlisberger, because there was NO EVIDENCE that he did anything wrong. I don't know what transpired in that bathroom, but Ben was only found guilty in the tabloids.

Benson, on the other hand, is actually guilty of multiple crimes, and yet he gets a shorter suspension than Ben.

All Steelers fans know that this is utter bull%#$@, so it hardly needs to be repeated ... but boy does this feel like a slap in the face.

The Colts start with Houston, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. It's looking like Manning will miss the Houston game, which, as a divisional game, is the most important of the three. If he sits out the Houston game, will the Colts try to get him into the Cleveland and/or Pittsburgh games? Even if he is 90% in week 3, it seems unwise to bring him back for his first game against what is arguably the league's best pass rush.

Obviously, he's not in great shape right now ... but how many times was James Harrison cut? Should the Steelers take a shot at Maybin? Perhaps for the practice squad? Clearly, there's no need for him, but if any team can turn a linebacker around, then it's the Steelers.

Meh. If Taylor could catch, then this might effect his play.

This things is freaking amazing. First, pick which teams win which remaining games (or pick the scheme by which it should do so). Then it tells you who makes the playoffs and what the matchups will be. It's very slick.

And the good news is that things look pretty rosy for the Steelers. To fall out of the 2nd seed, we need to lose at least 2 games ... and there is almost no way that we miss the playoffs.

That's the question posed by Don Banks in his power rankings. It's a good question, and I hope the Steelers give him an answer on Sunday night!

Another silly fine for Harrison. Meanwhile, a dozen other similar hits go totally unpunished.

I hope Rooney reimburses him at the end of the season. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he did.

In the new-age NFL where playing punishing defense is becoming increasingly frowned upon, the Steelers (7-3) are the team that most exemplifies that style. The NFL and its most successful franchise have butted heads all season as the league continues to try to pull back the Steel Curtain in the form of heavy fines and penalties.

One week ago, the most pressing issue for stay-at-home dad Brian St. Pierre(notes) might have been making sure there were enough diapers around the house for his 18-month-old son. On Sunday, the 30-year-old journeyman quarterback will have a bigger problem to contend with: Ray Lewis(notes) and the Baltimore Ravens defense.

The league informed the Steelers the penalty against Hampton should not have been called because he hit quarterback Carson Palmer on the thigh, not below the knee or to the head, after an incomplete pass.

Brian Billick explains the controversial call. Brian Billick, despite his clever cover as a former Ravens coach, is clearly an unashamed Steelers fan.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has impressed his teammates with his performance upon returning from a four-game suspension, a league source tells PFT. Roethlisberger had a strong training camp; per the source, the thinking is that he now looks even better than he did during camp.

Another game, another injury for the Steelers. This one was not sustained by a starter, but it knocked out one of their most valuable backups. The medial collateral ligament in Chris Hoke's right knee was sprained in the final minutes of the game Sunday and he will be lost for at least two weeks, maybe more.

The Steelers are going to rely on Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch alone on Sunday. Does this seem like a bit of a risk to anyone else?

I can see why he would pick the Titans to win. After all, the Steelers have their 3rd string QB in there. But 27 points against this Steelers defense? 27 points against a defense that knows it has to carry the game? No way.

I'm still glad that the Steelers refrain from this silly part of football ... nevertheless, nfl.com has a nice gallery of the cheerleaders from week 1.

I thought I would throw this up for some pre-game viewing. I particularly enjoy watching Bettis and Cowher at the end of the game. When Cowher shouts "Boom Baby!" you can hear 14 years of hard work coming to fruition in his voice. It's exhilarating and satisfying, and great for getting ready for kickoff.

If you're looking for something to be optimistic about, then you need look no further than the Bengals' schedule. It is absolutely brutal. In the final 11 weeks of the season, only three of their opponents finished below .500 last year.

This compares really nicely with the Steelers' schedule. And the Ravens' schedule falls somewhere in between.