Ah, familiarity.
by taffastrophe on Nov 7, 2009 2:28 PM EST
Email
PrintBy now, you’ve probably heard about the game: The 5-2 Steelers visit a 6-win team on Monday Night Football in early November. As usual, the Steelers are flying under the radar, and all of the focus is on their opponent.
Their opponent has won most of their games in grind-it-out fashion, by playing good defense and not throwing interceptions.
Their opponent has only played one bad game all season, losing to a team that made a deep run in the previous year’s playoffs.
Their opponent is averaging a hair over 20 points per game on offense at midseason, which is a mild upset because their heretofore-maligned signalcaller is delivering Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacking.
Their opponent has a first-year head coach who wasn’t expected to deliver such a solid product on the field this soon, but has been the surprise of the year.
Curiously enough, the Steelers are the Vegas-line favorites, even though the media is focused on the feel-good story of the NFL.
Vegas sure knows its stuff. The Steelers go out and thump the…. Washington Redskins 23-6 on Monday, November 3, 2008. Jason Campbell, who hadn’t thrown an interception all season, throws two picks, and despite losing Ben Roethlisberger for the second half due to a shoulder injury sustained on a one-yard TD run, the Steelers shake off the early crowd-fueled electricity and absolutely dominate the final 55 minutes of the game and serve up a slice of humble pie to the overrated, doomed-for-a-giant-collapse Redskins.
The similarities between the 2008 Redskins and the 2009 Broncos are palpable.
While Kyle Orton and Jason Campbell protect the ball well (Orton has just one INT this season – a Hail Mary at the end of the first half against New England that was picked off by none other than Randy Moss), neither can throw the deep ball accurately. This allows their stud wideouts (Brandon Marshall and Santana Moss) to be effectively contained with short safeties and man coverage deep.
The extra man in the box allows the Steelers to stuff the running game; last year, Clinton Portis had reeled off five straight 120+ yard games before running into the modern-day Steel Curtain, ending up with just 51 yards rushing. With no running game and no deep threat, the Skins were forced to throw 43 times for a mere 206 yards. Campbell was sacked 7 times for 45 yards, resulting in just 161 net yards passing.
Sounds a lot like what the Ravens did to the Broncos last week, doesn’t it? Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter combined for 55 yards rushing, leaving Kyle Orton to throw the ball 37 times for 152 yards.
Yes, having a Nick Eason-Ziggy Hood rotation at DE could hurt a little, as will the (presumed) absence of Ryan Clark. But with the way the Steelers can run and throw the ball, combined with their obvious advantage in the Denver offense v. Pittsburgh defense matchup, the Steelers should again prove Vegas right.
I, for one, feel pretty comfortable about facing the Broncos this week. The Steelers have already played this game, and it went pretty well the last time.
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I like it...
It’s also interesting how the Broncos fans are so lightly dismissing last week’s pasting at the hands of the Ravens as an aberration game. Just a game in which the Broncos played flat. The Steelers have a flat game and lose by three points. The Broncos go flat and lose by more than three touchdowns.
What is also odd is how quiet it is here on Saturdays. And disappointing. I work during the week, and cannot get around to the threads while they’re still warm. How does everyone find time to post in the weekday afternoons? Eh, well.
I would enjoy a game in which the Broncos seem to have a little success going, and then our defense strips it all away with some big play. Over and over. I love it when the Steelers just do what they do and other teams call it luck. Love that. That’s Steeler football. Then we can read over at MHR how the Broncos just had another flat game. Heh heh.
Not so fast Steerler Nation...
Looking forward to a great game on Monday!
I’ll start by saying if I weren’t by birth a natural born Bronco fan I would most certainly follow the Steelers. I have always liked the history and tradition of that franchise,storied ownership, great character athletes and one of the most knowledgeable and best fan bases in the NFL.
That being said…from the post’s i’ve glanced this week, it seems Steeler nation is trying really hard to rationalize the current Bronco 6-1 record while making excuses to cover up their own “fluke” losses.
Remember at the beginning of the season EVERYONE was predicting a 3-13/4-12 season based on the “BRUTAL” schedule the Broncos had? Hmmm…it’s curious now that the Bronco’s managed quite well that those predictions have turned into “umm well…uhh…..The cowboy’s offense wasn’t clicking….umm uhhh well… Brady had an off day…”. EVERY team (Baltimore not withstanding) had an excuse the day after the game.
Denver outplayed Cincinnati for 59 minutes of football. The game wasn’t won based on one play.
Indeed Baltimore punched us square in the mouth. GOOD. We needed it, it has served as a great teaching moment at an opportune time in the season. Baltimore out played us and they were the better team.
“I, for one, feel pretty comfortable about facing the Broncos this week. The Steelers have already played this game, and it went pretty well the last time”.
Umm…no you haven’t. Unless you expect to see Shanahan on the sidelines. Actually, it’s Denver who has already played this game, last week.
Point being, the bulk of the logic coming from Steeler nation this week is one big slippery slope. I would just like to see that when after you loose at Mile High (God’s Country), you’ll actually give some props where props are due, and avoid the “well they got lucky, we just weren’t on today” talk just as every other team we took down has done thus far.
Again, looking forward to a great Monday night battle with you guys!
Broncos 38-20
ps. I have a family member who is a Denver police EMT. Her department is the one of the departments who benefited from Roethlisberger’s grant assisting public service departments in each of the cities where the Steelers play this season. Mad props to BB and the Steelers nation for showing so much class!
Broncos 38-20
Hahahahaha.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 7, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
No, I was laughing at your ignorance.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 7, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Fail boat. Eat your crow sandwich and enjoy.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 10, 2009 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
classy post.
The thing is though, when the original poster put this out there, they were referring to “Already played this game” as to the Redskins game of last year.
We’re confident because the individual match ups do not scare us. I’ve watched a lot of Kyle Orton and while he’s not going to lose you many games, he’s also not likely to come out an win many for you either. His deep accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. That helps out a lot when covering Royal and Marshall.
BUT, and here’s what worries me. Not having Clark back there is more of a blow than one might let on. The man flat out tackles. He’s excellent at it and is seldom out of position. Without him back there a WR like Marshall scares me a bit. He’s so dynamic with the ball in his hands that I worry about him taking a 5 yard pass and turning it into a 50 yard pass.
If the Steelers D can limit the YAC, and the Steelers O can continue playing as well as they have, we should see a good showing. I see your 38–20 and switch it to 27-10 Steelers.
by Chicago Steeler on Nov 7, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks
Thank you for clarifying my post… “already played this game” did, in fact, refer to last year’s Skins game.
As for Clark being out, I’ll agree that we’ll see a dropoff in the overall play of the safeties. However, I think that since Ike Taylor (who should be in Marshall’s hip pocket most of the day) and Troy Polamalu are such excellent tacklers, and William Gay is above average at getting guys on the ground (unless that guy’s name is Adrian Peterson), any shortcomings that Ryan Mundy may have will be more than compensated for.
I admit that Mundy has been out of position on more than one occasion when he’s in the game, but from what I’ve seen (and please correct me if I’m wrong), he’s more comfortable when playing closer to the line of scrimmage than he is out in space in the secondary.
My pick was 34-17, FYI. Just like the ‘05 playoffs. I’m even waiting for Ben to pull out the six-shooters and make himself look like a geek again. (Good geek, not bad geek.)
by taffastrophe on Nov 7, 2009 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
Good, because this game isn't played on "individual matchups".
It’s a team game. Sure, maybe you have better individual talent and have every player with a 90 rating in madden, but it is a team game. You don’t play football on paper, comparing stats or skills of individual players vs other individual players. You play it on a field, with two teams going against each other.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by Troy Hufford on Nov 8, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
I seem to rememeber
you guys needed that last play to win the game. Not what I call outplaying an opponet.
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.
The broncos may have needed that last play to win it, but they played solid football for 59 minutes to give themselves that opportunity. The bengals only scored 7, which was one of their lowest scoring games on the season. Not too shabby.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by Troy Hufford on Nov 8, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
You call solid football
6 points thru 59 minutes.
So far every Bronco fan that has come through here sound delusional. 38 points? Seriously, are you kidding me? Confidence is one thing but that is plain ludicrous. If the Broncos hang 38 on the Steelers, I’ll eat my hat.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 9, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
Somebody lost a bikini top like that
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 9, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You haven't seen
“my hat”
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 9, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Edible Jimmy Hat?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Yikes, hell no
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 9, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
my bad bro.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
HAHAHA!
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 9, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
I call solid football only allowing 0 points through 59 minutes and then 7 in the final one.
We ended the day with a W, so I’ll take it. Turns out that the cincy offense is for real, even though they didn’t score on the broncos until the 59th minute of the game.
I never said I think the broncos will score 38 on the steelers. I’ll be stoked if we end up with 17 tonight, honestly.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Oh yeah, I guess that was the other dude
Thought I was replying to that one.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 9, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
You seem like a respectful Broncos Fan and I agree this should be a close game. But seriously…nobody puts up 38 points against the Steelers. And you can call me cocky or whatever but it’s just not gonna happen. You have to go back 4 seasons to 2006 to see a game where a team but up 38+ on the Steelers. If I’m not mistaken it was when Mike Vick carved up our D for 4 (passing) td’s, Big Ben had a perfect passer rating until he left with a concussion, and ATL won in OT by a field goal. 41-38.
Your Broncos may be 6-1 and they deserve props and respect from Steelers fans. If they do pull out a win over the Steelers in “god’s country” it will be by a small margin. And sorry, your 14th ranked offense will not put be putting up 38 points on what everyone knows is the real #1 Defense in football.
by RoethlisCrosby on Nov 8, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
i think it ended in a tie
when Burress was called down on the 1 the last play of the game??? not sure but i think that’s what happened.
nice
at least you had a 3 correct. as in, your offense scored 3 points. way to go nostradamus. you see how badly the Steelers were sucking wind in the 2nd half?
By the way, you guys have been lucky all year. You believe in De Ja Vu? Denver is going to lose the division to San Diego .. .. .. again.
WA WA WAAAAAAA thanks for playing.
Peace
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 10, 2009 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with the Concomitandt… getting levelled 30-7 isn’t a product of “being flat.” It’s a product of “being flattened.”
Denver started 6-0 and could easily lose 6 of their last 10. It might be good enough to back into the playoffs, but I really do see a lot of similarities to the ‘08 Redskins. At 6-1 (well, 6-2 after Monday night’s loss), the Broncos still have to play the Chargers again, the Giants, the Colts, and the Eagles. 10-6 is looking like a best-case scenario.
I guess we’ll easily lose 6 of our last ten…..just as we were to loose 5 out of the first six: Let’s take a look:
Chargers: umm…. solved that one already didn’t we (in their own crib)? Why the whole of NFL fandome can’t let go of their Charger lust is beyond reason. Their coach is one loss from receiving walking papers. DENVER
Giants: bigger disarray than is acknowledged. But hey, it’s an east coast team and main stream media wouldn’t dare espouse one of their own. DENVER
Colts: Indeed a Denver nemisiss. COLTS
Eagles: 4 of 5 wins over teams with a combined 6-22 record AND a loss to the 2-6 Faiders. You actually think Dawkins isn’t going to come away with some heads in a bag that day? And the beautiful thing is that philly fans will be chearring him.
That with-standing we face KCx2, Wash, Faiders at home.
So, again, back to the preseason logic being applied to the second half.
Oh, that’s right, sorry. I forgot. We were just lucky for all of those games or EVERY team had an off day that day.
10-6?
Try again.
You're overthinking this...
We mostly don’t care about your schedule or your expectations for wins and losses. What we do care about is that contributors like yourself show up here and provide interesting banter. Having said that, the real point is that your Broncos have given Steeler fans reason to suspect that there is blood in the water. Your team lost to our rivals, the Ravens by more than three touchdowns. That hasn’t happened to the Steelers since 2006 when our team was reeling. It begs the question as to whether the Broncos really have it this year when they have to face gritty circumstances. We don’t have to rationalize schedules and scores and such (although some have). We have seen the Broncos crumple against our best known opponent, and it seems obvious that if the Ravens can do it, whom we defeated three times last year, we will likely have a solid chance. So a loss to the Broncos would be a big surprise. That’s all.
Well said. Very, Very well said.
Hope you could hear me clapping.
When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!
Couldn’t hear the clapping. But definitely heard you patting yourself on the back for your snide little comments. Thanks for adding to the discussion douchebag.
Oh no! Snide little comments on OUR blog? The horror!!
Jebus dude, get down off your high donkey (see what I did there?).
Thanks for adding to the discussion douchebag.
Back atcha, sunshine. Your really gonna come over here and act like that? Seriously? Wow…we usually only get that kind of crap from divisional rival fans…
Stay classy, c2c75.
"My doctor said I'd quit getting nosebleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!"
-Ralph Wiggum
What are you, 12 years old?
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 8, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
Crumple we did..
And , again full credit to Baltimore. No one over at MHR is refutting the a** kicking we took. But we also realize that this young squad needed to be bruised a bit, have a little blood drawn. It has served a better purpose in the long run. (See what 16-0 did for the Patriots)
It also served as a pre-curser to what to expect from the Steelers. (Baltimore/Pittsburg will be the two most physically teams we face all year.) Now we understand. Lesson learned.
The comparison of a Redskins team from 08 to this team seems a bit far fetched based solely on the 6-1 stat and going into a MNF game at the same time of year. Doesn’t hold water.
I wouldn’t use that ONE game (Balt) as complete evidence that you’ve got the magical mystery tour that is the McDaniels Broncos figured out. What i would warn is to look a little closer.Going into the 4th quarter of that it was still a one score game. Not a lopsided run away that Steelers fans are proclaiming it to be. Pittsburg hasn’t played well in the 4th this year. Denver dominates the 4th.( That’s not empty chest pumping. Check the stats.)
Got oxygen?
If this is any type of close game into the 4th, which it will be, i think our offense will stay on the field and get the points needed and your D will be sucking wind. It really is brutal. The “nose-bleed” seats at mile high are exactly that. I sit there. Lack of air and the dryness your, body has no moisture and your lungs burn. (And I’m just sitting there)
And yes, i am sure Steelers fans have better things to think about than the strength of the Bronco’s remaining schedule. But the poster asked for it with 10-6 predictions without a single word of explanation other than “oohhh Denver lost to the Ravens they can only hope to go 10-6…Denver was exposed for what they truly are.” Save it, because we get enough from the MSM spouting the same thing week after week after…..
Too bad about Clark. It’s always best to take a teams best shot so there won’t be any astericks’ afterward. The guy is lockdown….but i don’t think it should matter that much seeing how Kyle won’t ever go past 20 yards at a time…..
Yes, Kyle Orton is the Charlie Brown of the NFL. But it begs the comparison of superstar vs. system. Yes, he won’t throw 40 yrd strikes to win the game. Doesn’t need to. That’s what bothers so many NFL fans these days. Most fans want a “Michael Vick” show. Well Kyle aint no Vick/Favre/BigBen. He’s an average QB in an above average system. It aint sexy but it’s more than enough to win.
Denver dominates the 4th.( That’s not empty chest pumping. Check the stats.)
Didn’t you give up 100+ yards and 2 TDs to Baltimore in the 4th? A team that is essentially our carbon copy…
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 8, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
It's a different game at altitude.
The broncos are a much better home team than road team.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by Troy Hufford on Nov 8, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Your team is playing in the same altitude.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 8, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
That's not what I was talking about.
Last week, we were playing in Baltimore, in front of a hostile crowd, against a team playing with a lot of emotion that had been simmering for two weeks after losing three straight.
I was referring to the fact that this game will be a mile high, in front of a rowdy denver crowd.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
We’ve won on the road before and we can win on the road again.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 8, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not discounting that. I'm just saying that the Broncos play much better at home than on the road.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by Troy Hufford on Nov 8, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
So does every team in the NFL. But, I’d say the Steelers play better away than most teams in the NFL. Our fans travel the best in the entire league.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 9, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions
False, look at the Cardinals. 1-3 at home and 4-0 on the road. Riddle me that.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Yeah but they could probably beat the 4 teams they beat on the road at home, so that’s not really valid. We won’t know until they face some of those teams again.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 9, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
It's still an interesting tidbit.
It’s crazy that you can be that bad at home and that good on the road. Some homefield advantages are bigger than others. Personally, I think Denver is one of the biggest advantages, with the crowd and the lack of air.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
What’s crazy is how absolutely miserable they were on the road until the playoffs last year. That is pretty ridiculous.
That’d be an interesting poll of NFL players, to say where the hardest stadium to play is.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Nov 9, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
You are so right. They came out of NOWHERE to get to the SB last year.
I had a grudge on Larry Fitzgerald because of how he dismantled my fantasy team. So, I was secretly rooting for you guys to beat those little red birds.
I’d love to hear the outcome of that poll. There was an article in the denver post about the mile high air. Even our own players hate the first few weeks of off season conditioning because of the air. It’s an interesting read.
It’s the 5th link down the page.
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/11/9/1121999/horse-tracks-11-9-09-chargers-cut
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Um, that was exactly like the Skins game
Sorry KentuckyBronco, you’ve got spirit though, A for effort.
by SteelerStuckintheSouth on Nov 10, 2009 5:29 AM EST up reply actions
Glad you have it all figured out
In a mere 2 days we’ll see how far off you are in your predictions. I’m sure our sidelines will have the O2 ready. Pick 6’s take a toll on even the finest athletes. Wonder how many your “average QB in an above average system” will give up? 2? 3? I’ll give you credit though; it takes a special breed of ass to show up and talk the trash like you just did.
When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!
Orton has 1 on the season, so far. It was to Randy Moss at the end of the first half, on a hail mary.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by Troy Hufford on Nov 8, 2009 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Nice analysis taffastrophe
There are many similarities to last year’s game vs. Washington. Another one is at head coach, where both the Redskins and Broncos had (have) rookie head coaches from offensive backgrounds with a similar first-year emphasis on ball control and a short passing game, relying on defense to keep the game close. McDaniels has the luxury of being in a weak division, but the talent level on his team overall is similar to the Redskins and I expect them to struggle as teams clamp down on an offense that plays almost exclusively inside the first-down chains. The Broncos have made progress but they’re not an elite team on other side of the ball yet.
I agree completely...
… when you say that the Broncos will “struggle as teams clamp down.”
If you have no deep threat, good defensive teams will destroy you. I’m a huge fan of the military academies, and hats off to Navy today for beating up a pretty good Notre Dame team, but teams that play every down within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage simply can’t win in the NFL.
Also, I’ll see your “The Broncos have made progress” and raise you a “The Broncos are past their peak and are going downhill.” If your quarterback can’t stretch the field with his arm, you aren’t going to win in today’s NFL. The only two quarterbacks in the past 20 years to win Super Bowls without elite arms were Trent Dilfer (with the sick 2000 Ravens D backing him up) and the 2002 Bucs (with the opposing team’s erstwhile coach and 3 defensive TDs).
Kyle Orton simply doesn’t scare people, and when your quarterback can’t make you respect the pass, you’re going to put 8 in the box and dominate on defense.
40 hours to go….
Homer agrees more with the Denver fans.....
…because you handicap with your head and not your heart. As Krusty says, “it’s strictly business.”
The Redskins were/are an old team that was on its way downhill. There were locker room and front office problems. They had a tough defense, but the offense was pure smoke and mirrors, especially the offensive line. The Steelers showed them for what they were.
The Broncos have some outstanding young players, and their record in the fourth quarter is awesome – especially at high altitude. They are a very good team, but the Ravens out-physicaled them and kicked their asses in Baltimore.
The Steelers will go into the game without four defensive starters. Other teams have been able to nickel and dime the Steelers to death. If Denver can succeed in the short passing game, they’ll be able to possess the football and make it a long night for the Black and Gold.
The two keys to this game are for the Steelers to stop the short passing game and to out-physical the Broncos. I think they can do both, and I’d bet a can of redpop on it (or grape soda, if Arn wanted to bet), but Homer wouldn’t put any big Vegas investment on this one.
Four defensive starters out….playing a mile high…. One similarity: last year, Ben got banged up and Lefty came off the bench to win the game. This year, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone known to us - but unknown to the rest of the world — comes off the bench to play a big role in this game. The Steelers have any number of guys like K-Fox. That may be their secret weapon: deep depth.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Four starters out?
Even without Clark, I count eight starters in the defensive lineup. Is someone else out? Depth at those other three positions is very good, with all three guys (Carter, Fox and Eason) having plenty of NFL experience. The Broncos have very little team speed on offense and no vertical passing game, which makes it easier for the backups to come in and do their jobs. You’re right though, the key to the game is being physical, disrupting the short passing game and tackling well.
by steeler.lifer on Nov 9, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Anything is possible
If Denver plays the way they’ve played for the majority ot the season and Pittsburgh plays the way they’ve played for the majority of the season it will be difficult for the Steelers to win. Factor in the fact that PIT regularly struggles against Denver, and it’s no wonder most in Bronco Land are so convinced their team will win.
As a long time Steelers fan, I’ve been less than impressed by the overall performance of the team thus far in the season. For every unexpected positive we have seen this season (the improved play of the OL, the quick emergence of Mike Wallace, the hard running of Rashard Mendenhall, the incredible completion percentage of Big Ben, etc.) there have been just as many if not more disappointments (the late game collapses of the D, the seemingly endless dropped passes by Santonio Holmes, the key fumbles of Mendenhall, and the too frequent poor decisions leading to turnovers by Ben, etc.)
I’ve been waiting for this Steelers team to put together a full 60 minutes of football and click on all cylinders for eight weeks now and have been let down each and every week for one reason or another. They are now in the midst of a two game stretch against two AFC division leaders and if they want a shot at a first round bye in this season’s playoffs then winning these next two games become paramount.
On the plus side, the Steelers tend to play their best when playing against good opposition so there is definitely reason for hope. Additionally, the Steelers also have had a tendency to finish the season very strong since Ben has taken over as QB. Here are the Steelers’ records since 2005 down the stretch: (Week, Wins, Losses)
9 4 1
10 4 1
11 3 2
12 3 2
13 4 1
14 4 1
15 4 1
16 3 2
17 4 1
WC 1 1
DIV 3 0
CC 2 1
SB 2 0
It has now become put up or shut up time for the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers. The stretch run is upon us and these next two weeks will go a long ways towards determining if this year’s edition of the Steelers will have a legitimate shot at defending it’s crown, or will have to struggle tooth and nail the rest of the way to just get into the playoffs. I, for one, am ready to see this team come out and fire on all cylinders for the first time all season.
I agree
A win is a win. However, if this team continues to make dumb mistakes and fail to play up to their potential they may end up putting themselves in a position they do not want to be in. I’m tired of them barely getting by. There is too much talent on this football team for this to be a weekly recurring theme. IF they are able to put up back to back good performances the next two weeks then they will be in the position they need to be and we all want them to be. If they don’t and end up losing the next two weeks (coupled with a Bengals win today) they will be essentially three games back of the Bengals with seven to play.
Like I already said, it’s now time for them to put up or shut up.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."
Art Rooney Jr.
"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Related FanPosts on Behind the Steel Curtain
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Alex Smith caddied for Jim Harbaugh at AT&T Pro-Am
- Boston (in) Common: Kevin Youkilis set to marry Tom Brady’s sister
- Giants to be honored with commemorative NY license plate; some would rather see a 9/11 plate
- The hidden play of Super Bowl XLVI: Justin Tuck’s third-quarter sack
- Report: Chad Ochocinco will become Chad Johnson once again
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
