I was at the gym this morning running and dialed up some uplifting, inspirational music on my ipod to boost my energy and shake off this bad karma that’s been dogging me about this weekend’s AFC Championship Game. 

Enter Bruce Springsteen’s Promised Land…

Suddenly visions of happy moments at M&T Bank Stadium tumbled to the forefront of my thoughts and almost as suddenly I envisioned a ray of light breaking through the clouds of bad mojo courtesy of Cam Cameron’s play calling of late.

I listened to Bruce sing…

Blow away the dreams that tear you apart

Blow away the dreams that break your heart

I have to admit, I’m not quite there.  I still have serious doubts about this game but that will not break my will as a fan and it will not make me any less passionate in my support of our team.

After my run, I pulled up the lyrics to Promised Land and put my own spin on them.  I have to say, it's helping but I could use some more convincing and arm twisting.

ON A POTHOLE-FILLED FREEWAY IN THE PA MOUNTAINS
I PICK UP THE SENT OF BURNING EMBERS AND STEEL
DRIVING CROSS THE VENANGO COUNTY LINE
I PUT MY GAME FACE ON IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME

WAITING ALL WEEK TO WATCH BIG BEN GET SACKED

RAY & THE DOGS WILL BARK, CAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND

WE CAN TAKE THIS TEAM AND THEIR INBRED FANS

NO BLACK & GOLD CAN SPOIL OUR PLAN

‘CAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISED LAND

WE’VE DONE OUR BEST TO PLAY THE RIGHT WAY
WE GET UP EVERY MORNING & PRACTICE HARD EACH DAY
YET WE GET NO RESPECT AND YOUR HEART GROWS COLD
SOMETIMES I GET SO PISSED I JUST WANT TO EXPLODE

EXPLODE AND TEAR THIS TEAM APART
TAKE A KNIFE AND CUT THE WILL FROM THEIR HEART
THE FLIGHT TO TAMPA BAY IS ABOUT TO DEPART

RAY & THE DOGS WILL BARK, CAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND

WE CAN TAKE THIS TEAM AND THEIR INBRED FANS

NO BLACK & GOLD CAN SPOIL OUR PLAN

‘CAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISED LAND

THERE’S A HIGH PRICED BOUNTY ON THAT CHEAPSHOT WARD

BUCKLE YOUR CHINSTRAP WE’RE HEADING STRAIGHT INTO THE STORM

GONNA PLAY SOME SMASH MOUTH & TAKE THE STEELERS DOWN

THEY AIN’T GOT THE STRENGTH TO STAND THEIR GROUND

BLOW AWAY THE DB’S & PICK THEM APART

BLOW AWAY WILLIE PARKER HE’S GOT NO HEART

BLOW AWAY THE REPLAYS THAT LEAVE YOU NOTHIN’ BUT MAD & BROKENHEARTED

RAY & THE DOGS WILL BARK, CAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND

WE CAN TAKE THIS TEAM AND THEIR INBRED FANS

NO BLACK & GOLD CAN SPOIL OUR PLAN

‘CAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISED LAND

AND I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISED LAND

YEAH I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISED LAND…