At The Doorstep..Time To Walk Through

by Blitzburgh on Jan 26, 2009 2:16 PM EST Comment 4 comments

On December 1st, 2008 I boldly proclaimed the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers as the team to beat in the AFC. My reasoning at the time was that Pittsburgh's best attribute - their defense - was better than any other team's best attribute. In a year where offensive juggernauts like New England and Indianapolis were not dominating like they had in years past, the door was wide open for a number of teams to break through and win the conference.

The other reason I felt we were the team to beat was the outcome of the two games leading up to my statement - the close bizarre win against San Diego, and the rout on the road of New England. We had proved our toughness in losses against New York and Indianapolis, but the win against San Diego proved we could win close games behind the late clutch play of our franchise QB. The thrashing of New England in Foxboro told me we had the talent necessary to handle good teams when we played up to our potential, no matter the venue.

Since that time, the stars began to align. It began with a bizarre win against Dallas in a game where our offense was as bad as it had been since the Philadelphia game up until the last half of the final quarter. The victory though certainly gave my statement the previous week some credence - the defense bailed us out yet again with multiple turnovers of Tony Romo late in the game, including the game clinching pick-6 by Deshea Townsend.

The Steelers followed that up with a gutty W against Baltimore - on the road - to clinch the division. It was yet another come-from-behind W for Ben Roethlisberger, this time a 90 yard march in the final two minutes to stab a dagger in the heart of Baltimore once more.

We all know how the regular season finished - the loss at Tennessee guaranteed us no better or worse than the #2 seed. It allowed us to rest players in the finale against the Browns, then rest up for another week before meeting the winner of the San Diego and Indianapolis game. The week off didn't do 3 of the 4 home teams good that weekend, but it doesn't mean the rest wasn't beneficial to our team. Guys like LaMarr Woodley sure looked energetic. Same with Brett Keisel, Willie Parker and others.

Rest or no rest, there was no stopping this Steelers team the past two weekends - at least not in my mind. The much maligned offense, which hadn't really held up its end of the bargain for much of the season, did its part against San Diego on a day where the defense was just so-so. And then the following week against Baltimore, our defense returned to form once more, holding Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense without a first down in the first quarter, then turning him over twice late in the 4th quarter to seal the deal and stamp the team's ticket to Tampa. Now Pittsburgh finds itself with just one obstacle left in its way as they try to win a sixth Lombardi Trophy for the storied franchise. The opponent? A 9-7 upstart group from the desert; one that's led by two men who were on our sidelines the last time the team's season ended in jubilant celebration. As I wrote in early December - may the team with the best attribute win, and while there's certainly no better individual playing football right now than Larry Fitzgerald, it's our collective defense that should shine brightest, much as it has done for almost all of the 2008 season.

This is the Steelers time and I've thought so for some weeks now. The breaks have all gone our way and up until this point, the team has more than capitalized. Can they take the final step and walk through the door to Super Bowl glory? We'll find out in just 6 short days.

Who's ready for some football?

Super Bowl week coverage on BTSC heats up.

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Walk? They're gonna BUST down that door!!!!

And if I keep reading stuff like this all week, I’m gonna be so jacked up by game time I will explode!!!

GO STEELERS!!!!

by Ragnar808 on Jan 26, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm Going Nuts...

While I believe that two weeks is benificial for both oponents, I’m going nuts waiting for the game. Every day I scour the online sources (Except ESPN) to find out any little nugget of information. I find, it seems, the writers know very little about football. They all want to concentrate on on the fact that they will be concentrating on the hype. There are still a few good X’s and O’s writers out there like Pat Kirwin, but so many seem to have forgotten what the readers want to see, good and practical information on their team, like we get here.

I’ve notice that a high number of reporters are telling everyone why the Cardinals have a chance to win, but when push comes to pick, they seem to quietly pick The Steelers. I’m not fooled. Everything I see that gives me pause, I can quickly counter with my knowledge of The Steelers , their defense, coach, players, and season. I even have confidence in The Steelers offense for this game.

If The Steelers bring their A-game, they win easily. I believe the The Steelers must play a B to B- game for The Cardinals to have a chance, even with their A-game.

I think there is too much emphasis being placed on Warner’s ability to beat the Blitz. The Steelers are not as blitz happy as everyone thinks. They Play a very solid defense when they are not blitzing, at which time, they are just as confusing and able to force the other team into a mistake.

Blitz is right to point out Warner’s deficiancies. He is a great human being. After that, we talk Football. Warner had a good year, in the end. Let’s not forget the struggles and the less than impressive schedule though. Let’s not forget the gifts that Delhome gave to the Cardinals (Did The Cardinals send a thank you note?) in a showing of pure generosity. Also, let’s remember the second half of the Eagles game when The Eagles defense finally showed up and held The Cardinals to seven (7!) points. The Steelers defense will be there the whole game. No matter how warm and fuzzy the country feels about Warner, the talk about his getting to the HOF will stop dead in its tracks in Tampa.

I think all the talk about Whiz and Grimm and the others from The Steelers organization is just something for the media to latch on to. Let’s not forget that Lebeau know them too. Which would you rather have a Whiz that knows Lebeau or a Lebeau that know Whiz? Uh-huh. Does Whiz know our offense? Not this one. When did you ever see that three man cluster of recievers that The Steelers like so much when Whiz was coaching the O? Sure, Whiz might know that Ben likes to pick his nose in the huddle, but the other stuff, like keeping him from rolling left, everyone knows.

I think one of the biggest questions is: What happens if The Cardinals get behind. Can The Cardinals play from behind? I get the sense that everyone believes that The Cardinals have one chance at winning: Getting ahead early. And then, you must remember that Ben is the master of the two quarterbacks at playing from behind.

My intangible for this game is Limas Sweed. I’m sure his focused now. I’m thinking that he gets no respect and is available for some chain movers and possably a big play. The coaches will have him ready. He is the weapon that no one will see coming.

by WyoFan on Jan 26, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great stuff

I’ll see your Limas and raise you one Heath Miller.

I just have a gut feeling Big Money and Big Ben hook up numerous times in this game. Watching the way Caleck (SP?) torched the Cards D and the attention they will be paying to stop Willie and keep Ben in the pocket i think Miller can have a good day against this D especially when Wilson blitzes. But what the hell do i know.

One thing I do know – if I don’t get fired this week I never will… err hopefully :)

by 703Steeler on Jan 26, 2009 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs