The prime-time moment is here for the 49ers to show everybody why they have had such a wonderful season. Last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals was so disappointing for me. However, this time the Niners will be at home for Monday Night Football. The Pittsburgh Steelers may miss Ben Roethlisberger who may be a game-time decision due to an injured ankle. The Steelers will be surely missing James Harrison who has been suspended due to a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

Another key player who may miss the game is safety Troy Polamalu. I am of the opinion that this can hurt San Francisco’s chances in the grand scheme of things. I know that it will help greatly to run over the Steelers on MNF so that they could get a possible first-round bye. But still they are missing out on a good test and the challenge that someone like a Roethlisberger or a James Harrison presents before heading to the NFL playoffs.

Alex Smith for one would have been better prepared if he had a nervy battle with an intense quarterback rusher like Harrison and who knows if Smith will be ready now for the pressure that will eventually mount on the Niners as they progress hopefully deeper into the post season. From the 49ers defense, Patrick Willis is questionable. Offensive lineman Joe Staley who was taken after Willis by the Niners in the 2007 NFL Draft is also questionable for the game.

Anyway, it’s great to see that they have now become the hunted from originally being the hunter. With or without Big Ben, the Steelers have some pretty impressive down field threats in Antonio Brown and the super-fast Mike Wallace. I think I will see San Francisco hold off Pittsburgh and get the W this week.