What are the odds?

Let me start by saying Amanda likes the Steelers, too. Sure, she couldn't have cared less about them before we met, but she actually gets into the games to some degree these days.

But we both had written the Steelers off this year. With a hurting QB and some tough losses near the end of the season, it looked unlikely they'd make it to the playoffs. And that was just as well, we figured. If the baby is due in late January, it would probably be best if the Steelers weren't playing in the playoffs or Super Bowl at the time.

But then they won their last few games to make it into the playoffs. Then they surprisingly topped the Bengals last week. Then they shocked the top team in football today. And now they're playing next Sunday (eight days before the baby is due ... but (see post below) the baby is kind of big already, so he may be early). And if the Steelers pull off another upset, they'd be playing Feb. 5 (six days after the baby is due ... but he hasn't dropped yet and everyone says the first baby is always late, so maybe he'll be late).

But Amanda and I have talked about this (well, we talked about it after they won today). I can have the game on in the delivery room, but I have to turn it off for actual pushing. So here's how I see it: If everything goes well, there are about eight hours over the next 21 days that I'll really want to watch live sports. As long as we can avoid those eight hours (that's 1.6 percent of the time during that period), there won't be any problem and we'll all be happy. (OK, to be honest, I think we'll all be happy even if he's born during a big game. We're just looking forward to having a baby).