Superstitions.

We all have them, whether we admit it or not. I know I'm not immune. Some call them habits or idiosyncrasies, although I steer clear of words describing myself as "idio."

I always take the second newspaper, magazine or greeting card off the rack. I prefer crisp, clean lines instead of folds and creases.

Don't judge me.

Anyway, I started thinking about the Steelers' AFCDivisional playoff win against the San Diego Chargers last week.

I wrote a column about why the Chargers would win while sports editor John Enrietto wrote about why he thought the Steelers would win.

Not that I believed San Diego would win, but we wanted to show both sides' strengths and weaknesses. I took the Steelers' opponent because I don't like to appear too confident about the Steelers' chances.

If I say they'll win, then they lose. I set myself up for disappointment. Not that it will ruin my week, but I think it cushions the blow.

On the flip side, if the Steelers win, all the better. Some might be upset at me, but hey, Pittsburgh won. It's like betting against your team — not that I condone it. If you're right, you win. If your team wins, you still win.

Last Friday, we didn't have a "Why the Steelers Will Win" or "Why the Ravens Will Win" segment in the expanded Steelers coverage. I wrote one anyway, not wanting to throw the universe out of whack.

I wrote the Steelers would lose to the Chargers, but they won. I had to write why the Ravens would win, and. as it turned out, the Steelers won. I listed the top 10 reasons why Baltimore would win, event though it didn't make it in print.

Want proof? No. 1 was "Baltimore has lost twice to Pittsburgh, both in close games, including an overtime decision. To a team as proud as the Ravens, a third loss will not be acceptable. Baltimore is Pittsburgh's equal, but it hasn't reflected on the scoreboard. — yet."

You see, there's pure genius behind all of this.

You can be sure I'll write the 10 reasons why the Arizona Cardinals will win even if it doesn't make it into the paper. Of course, we'll have a "Why the Steelers Will Win," but I have to continue with my part.

Speaking of idio-, er, habits, my wife Ingrid's Steelers jersey and my jersey, which we wore for the San Diego game, looked a bit wrinkled and I thought about washing them, but decided not to.

I figured you don't change anything during a good streak so I left them, wrinkles and all, in the dresser drawer until the day of the game.

In a moment of near insanity, I almost put a Pittsburgh Pirates T-shirt underneath my jersey on Sunday, but didn't want the undo all the good we've done so far.

I don't think I'll do anything else different, although if I can remember anything from Super Bowl XL, when the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, I'll try to incorporate that as well.

I've done everything I can on my end — and yeah, so have the Steelers with the hard work, sweat, drive, commitment, overcoming the toughest schedule ever, injuries and adversity along the way.

At this point, why take chances?

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.