View topic - Perspective Helps

[steelwest Profile]

Having suffered the loss to the Titans, it is time to step back and assess the playoff possibilities and the team itself. Like others, I want the Steelers to win every game. I do realize, however, that no team wins them all so taking the occasional losses as they come is important.

As I thought about the Titans game before it concluded, I must say I did not like the thought of the Steelers entering the playoffs with a lengthy winning streak and all of the commentators predicting they would make the Super Bowl because they have home field. Our offense simply is not explosive enough to be the unequivocal favorite each game. The conservative play, the defense oriented strategy, and the desire/need to play one close game after another are not the hallmarks of a prohibitive favorite. If anything, they are aspects of a team that can lose any game if they do not play their best.

The Titans game on Sunday was just one of those days. The Titans were clearly focused and needed to be as they have not played the schedule our team has. They were well rested and had no other big games in weeks. On the other hand, this was our fourth in a row -- like when Texas lost to Texas Tech after four tough games. The really big game for us was the Ravens. The other one was the Pats. This was the big one for the Titans.

The way the game went was a formula for how to lose. Ben's fumble on the one yard line. Ben's next fumble when we were still in control. Woodley's off-sides leading to a free play TD. Reed's missed FG. Titans convert one fourth down for a TD. They get a fourth down and penalty for the other TD.

None of this means they are the better team -- especially if they play an angry Steelers team after stepping on the terrible towel. The Titans probably wanted it more on Sunday and got the bounces.

Make no mistake, I am concerned about the Steelers ability to win any playoff game with the awful O-Line and total lack of running game. However, if they win one, they have just as much chance of winning two or three.

The Titans may be upset in their first game. We will see.

Let's not get too down on our boys though. It has been a long road and four tough games in a row is much harder than a few easy tilts and one big game. Just ask the University of Miami Hurricanes -- now that they play a decent opponent every week, those 11-0 or 10-1 seasons are gone.

We should all hope for the best this year, and then hope they draft O-Line, O-Line, and maybe D-Line.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Steelwest;

Good point. Our offense has it's issues.

However, being realistic I did not expect to be 11-4 at this point in the season with our schedule. Maybe close but you had to think in Sept that 9-7 or 10-6 would win the division.

Granted there will not be a team in the playoffs that we can not lose too.

However, I don't think there are any licking their chops to play us either.

Heres to a great playoff run.

[indysteel Profile]

I tend to disagree somewhat...

What you witnessed on Sunday is really what has happened all year long with a bit of difference:

1. The other team really didn't make any mistakes. In other words, the Steeler had to "win" the game, not be "given" it through errors by the opponent.

2. The offense has really been this putrid all year long. Seriously. Don't let a short field or broken assignments by the other team confuse you with a productive offense. The offense stunk up the place on Sunday and have been this poor all year long.

3. We now know what happens when the D has an off day. Dick did not confuse anyone and we generated absolutely no rush. The D actually fundamentally unsound (i.e., tacking, gap control, assignments, etc.).

4. ST boners, while not horrific, played a bit of a role. I would not be surprised if ST does not play a key role in the post-season (either towards success or a loss).


Everyone should scare us in the playoffs. I have absolutely NO confidence on either side of the ball. The offense can't do shit regardless of field position and the D, when it is essential, can't seem to stop anybody.

Oh, I'm sure someone will get mention the D ranking, it was off game, etc. The point is that there is NOTHING that will change between now and the playoffs. What you saw on Sunday is about what you are going to get the rest of the year. The o-line will not all the sudden learn how to block, FWP will not all the sudden make holds, BR7 will not begin to make great decisions, the WRs will not all the sudden start holding on to the ball......this "coming around and beginning to gel" shit is for the birds. That crap is said by folks who really don't know why things are happening the way they are.

I'm hopeful, but not optimistic.

[Rushmore Profile]

",...and the D, when it is essential, can't seem to stop anybody."

what team have you been watching? you're probably a person that says the Stiller D played bad against the Colts.
Comments like that show no sense of awareness. No appreciation for your teams efforts. Go talk to a Bengals fan.

-Rushmore

[indysteel Profile]

Rushmore:

Apparently you watched a different game than I did last week. Because that D did not stop them when they needed to.

In fact, perhaps your the Bengal fan. Sounds like your the kind that appreciates the team showing up, giving their "best" and, hell, if you don't win, that's OK. At least we played fair and square. Uh-huh.

It's easy to be a "big, stout, dominant" defense when the other team misses assignments and makes mistakes. When the other team though does NOT make mistakes (which Tricky Dicky's design depends on), then it's man-on-man. Talent against talent. Last weekend is Exhibit A of what happens when the other team does not make mistakes. All the magic that DumbDick Lebeau has did not work. Didn't confuse anyone. Let me remind you that was not Joe Montana at QB. Kerry Collins!! Are you serious. That was Ryan Clark getting trucked. That was Larry Foote flailing about like a bitch in heat.

For crying out loud Rushmore, read the Postgame notes on this board.

[jstallworth82 Profile]

Indy

1st The d has played great all year minus that game. If you look at the stats they are real good at sopping teams on 3rd down. what N.E. converted what 2 3rd downs They stopped everyone but it doesn't appear that way when your offense is unable to score or go a series without that ELITE QB BR throwing an INT or handing the other team the football. So it appears that the D can't do good when the O sucks. Compare the Defenses 3rd down percentage this year vs last. You will be surprised at the difference.

[Rushmore Profile]

Indy:

no sense of awareness: your beloved team coming of a tough road win against a division opponent(wrapping up the division and a 1st round bye...'your welcome'), then on the road again against the independently-verified best team in the AFC. They must be crushed letting you down so.

no appreciation: "All the magic that DumbDick Lebeau has did not work." I guess the 3-game stretch of stout-defensive play (NE, Big D, Balmer) isn't enough for some people. "duh Stillers gotta be perfect all the time(like Indy is) otherwise they stink."

Forecast for Indy: 'Always Sunny'

-Rushmore

[indysteel Profile]

Hey, I'd love to be wrong and I'll let you call me out.

But if you think this team is on an uptick, gaining momentum, and going to roll through the playoffs, then, your right, it's not "sunny" and I am being pessimistic.

First, I don't give a damn who they have beaten. Once the playoffs start, it's all a new season.

Second, with the offense in the shape it is in, we had DAMN WELL better hope the defense does not have another game like they did against the Titans.

Everyone keeps making excuse for them. For crying out loud, they were abused like a bunch of cheap street hookers. I simply call it like I see it.

If anything, they are totally off kilter. The Clowns game will make it even worse...particularly if they lose.