We need to realize that it’s just one win and that we still have some serious problems. However, what we’ve seen over the past 2 weeks is that our team can overcome bad play calling, line issues, numerous injuries, and mistakes to beat quality opponents. That’s what we’ll have to do in the playoffs. We’re 4-1 and 2-0 in the division going into a very well timed bye week. In my opinion we have no season ending injuries of consequence (just a mediocre OG, a backup RB, and a P), which means as of right now, we’re in good position to make the playoffs, and all our important players could play in the playoffs. Our depth is still good, with the exception of the interior OL.

We’re not perfect, but teams that peak in September don’t last long in the playoffs. All in all, we’re not prohibitive favorites, but I think we’re in good shape. It’s been a fun year so far, and I don’t see that changing.

Sure there are things to be concerned about but I think we all just think that Arians can snap his fingers and the offense will fly down the field. It’s so hard to be successful on a consistent basis on the road in this league. It’s not at all surprising we had a few dry spells in that game. Heck, it took Peyton Manning and his offense three + quarters to wake up.

The key is we’re so good on defense that our offense will continue to get opportunities to deliver. Won’t happen everytime, but with Big Ben, I think we can feel ok about our chances.

And as Bad said, this is going to continue to be one helluva fun season.

We certainly have them. Issues from A to Z as someone posted recently. So do the other teams. So far we have overcome to a 4-1 record but I share your angst. The tough portion of the schedule is coming. NYG, Dal, SD, NE, Balt, Wash, Indy & Ten will all be tough games. So will the others. If Ben stays healthy he will compensate for the OC. I just cringe at the thought of these guys getting out coached in a playoff game.

I also think there is a real war going on between the coaching staff and the FO vis a vi Max Starks. The staff did not like Starks and played Colon last year. They seemed content to let Max walk. The FO being frightened that there wouldn’t be OT on the draft board signed Max for 7 million. The coaches still refuse to play him even as Ben is chased and battered and injuries mount. There is something there that we are not hearing about.

is that every team is flawed. The team that made us look impotent has lost three already. As football fans, we tend to compare our team to college teams having no weaknesses (sans getting prepared to play Oregon State) or the fresh memory of New England’s machine last year (and even they fell short). But the reality is that the Steelers have as good a chance as anyone. The idea, of course, is to stay alive through December and peak in January. We can do that.

Our Achiles heel, as we have exhausted, is the play of our offensive line in coordination to the schemes and play calling. If that area melts together to at least a slightly-above-average level, the defense and offensive skill can push us to the top.

So we plod though the middle of the season with that as our focus. No small task, but neither is the task of any of the other 31 NFL teams who bemoan different but just as significant tasks of their own. Can Stapleton take us up a notch? Can Tomlin, Arians, Zierlein and Ben form an effective committee that improves and then peaks? I don’t know. I walked into a doctor’s office last week feeling down until I looked around the room and saw the other patients.

Sunday was a great day. Two of Ben’s three sacks were the result of him holding on too long. That’s the price we pay for the great plays he makes when he escapes those sacks. When the home team scores first on a defensive play in a prime time game, that is usually a dagger. We marched right down and then took control. When we got behind again in the fourth quarter, we did it again. Then when we needed just one more stop from our defense, unlike last year, we nailed it shut. All the while our special teams coverage has turned itself into an asset.

That’s hard not to rally around. Frankly, there’s no other city in the AFC right now that I’d rather be. Then again, I’m the eternal optimist.

you have to remember we played that game without FWP, Delicious, or Big Snack.

Chi…..The sky is not falling!! Let’s go ahead and count the supposed AFC contenders that I would not trade places with:
1. Patriots- No Brady, no real chance, IMHO.
2. INDY- A heartbeat away from 0-4, and looking seriously flawed.
3. SD- What a train wreck! Can’t wait to kick their ass.
4. Jax- We saw first hand what they have, and it is not enough. Should have beat them worse, as the score did not reflect the scale of domination.

I’ll take my chances against Denver, Buffalo, or Tenn, as we match up well with all. Where does this leave us? A little health and offensive line growth away from a run for the ring!

Always keep perspective, my man.

Some real good conversation on this post. The thing that sticks out to me after all of this is what I and others have pointed out. Arians’ plans seem to do well against poor competition, but not against good competition. And, all of the plays that Ben runs the no-huddle out of must come from Arians’ playbook. So, overall, it would seem that Arians has a solid offensive system that especially works well when the defensive talent is not up to the level of our offensive talent. However, he doesn’t seem to have a good feel for the game. If his initial plans don’t work, or the other team adjusts well to his scheme, he is lost. Maybe Ben just has a more agile mind, and is able to determine which plays will work. Or maybe it just has to do with being on the field and having a feel for what’s going on. It reminds me of something I read a couple of days ago in Terry Bradshaw’s book, It’s Only a Game. He said, there’s a reason that feel and field sound so much alike. When you’re on the field, you have a better feel for the game. Anyway, that may have nothing to do with Arians. He just seems to have a very hard time thinking quickly, and adjusting to the opposition.