I could write a whole post about the possible political implications of tomorrow night's Monday Night Football game between our Washington Redskins and the battleground-state Pittsburgh Steelers. There's the history of a Redskins win in their final pre-election game signaling an impending incumbent party victory; there's the halftime interviews with both teams by Chris Berman (incisive and penetrating, to be sure); and there's the simple fact that I've had to cut salt out of my diet for the past few weeks in preparation for the hypertension-fest that will be Monday and Tuesday night.

Focusing on the football contest happening this week, it should be a good one. I like the home game and our veterans too much to pick against them, so I'm calling a Redskins win, 23-19. Pittsburgh's a funny team -- capable of putting up points while simultaneously allowing their QB Ben Roethlisberger to be absolutely destroyed -- but they undeniably have a dominant defense. It looks increasingly likely that Skins O-lineman Chris Samuels may be out with a swollen knee, meaning the shaky Stephon Heyer starts in his place. Heyer's performed well at times when called upon, but he struggled against the Lions last week -- not a good omen for this matchup against the powerful Steeler pass rush. Likewise, it will be difficult for Clinton Portis to find running room; it's a safe bet his streak of 120-yard rushing games ends Monday. Jason Campbell and company will still get their chances, but it's imperative they turn red-zone opportunities into touchdowns against the NFL's second best red-zone D.

The Redskins look like a team that seems to thrive on top-notch competition, while playing down to the lesser lights. A Monday night home game against one of the league's top rushing defenses seems like a matchup tailor-made for Portis's chip-on-the-shoulder shtick that's been inspiring him to an incredible start to the 2008 season. Let's say he goes for 95 yards and a rushing TD and accepts a 6-yard shovel pass in for the score. Meanwhile, on the other side, a ball finally sticks in Carlos Rogers' hands for a pick and Demetric Evans bats down three Big Ben passes, one tipped into the hands of a Skins linebacker. (The defense will have a little bit of help from the sidelines, too.)

As for Tuesday? That's an entirely different league.