The big showdown with the Steelers is just a couple of hours away and my mind is swimming, so I thought I'd post a few early thoughts while I psych up for the game:

-- If the Ravens win the toss and defer possession to the second half, I'm going to kick my TV, which could damage thousands of those little mirrors that make DLP so crystal clear.

-- This game is not about the two defenses, for a change. It's about the two offenses. The Ravens need to score 26 points to win. They need to get to it right away.

-- Oh, just remembered. I'll be on the Ravens pregame show on WBAL (1090 AM and WBAL.com) at noon with Keith Mills, Pete Gilbert and Jamison Hensley. If I win the toss and defer, feel free to kick your radio.

-- This doesn't have a thing to do with the game today, but I hope Urban Meyer is okay.

-- If you get a chance, read my column on Joe Flacco in today's print edition or check it out on the Web site right here.

-- There sure are a lot of plugs on this site.

-- Is it just me, or does it feel like all the end-of-the-decade lists are a year early. When I count to 10, I don't usually start with zero.

-- The Orioles' 30-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Aug. 22, 2007 is listed among the "Honorable Mentions" on our list of the 10 top sports stories of the past 10 years. Don't know what's so honorable about that.

-- USC beat Boston College last night in the Emerald Bowl and even I didn't care.

-- Just 105 minutes to kickoff...pass it on.