Does the schedule look easy to you?
by Jason R on Jun 8, 2009 5:20 PM EDT
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NFL's strength of schedule ratings a fluid thing; "Iron makes iron"
Looking at the Steelers' schedule for this upcoming season, it's probably a little hard for Pittsburgh fans to not rub their hands with glee. Compared to last year's brutal slate of games, this year the Steelers have the 29th hardest schedule--that's out of 32 teams, younz guys--in the league, sayeth ESPN.
Before we imagine Big Ben and the boys hoisting another Lombardi just yet, we might just want to temper our excitement. To wit: Baltimore has just the 28th hardest schedule, and the Birds are sure to be smarting from getting swept by the Black and Gold last season. In addition, "strength of schedule" is, especially in the NFL, a fluid thing; there always seem to be "turnaround teams" that go from 5-11 to 11-5, for instance, and that would be why odds-makers don't handicap the entire season based on such superfluous criteria as strength of schedule.
Having thus had our collective and eternally high Steelers expectations brought gently to the fieldturf, doesn't the schedule look--gulp--somewhat easy to you? Here it is:
| Thu 9/10 | Tennessee | 8:30 pm |
| Sun 9/20 | at Chicago | 4:15 pm |
| Sun 9/27 | at Cincinnati | 4:15 pm |
| Sun 10/4 | San Diego | 8:20 pm |
| Sun 10/11 | at Detroit | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 10/18 | Cleveland | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 10/25 | Minnesota | 1:00 pm |
| bye | ||
| Mon 11/9 | at Denver | 8:30 pm |
| Sun 11/15 | Cincinnati | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 11/22 | at Kansas City | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 11/29 | at Baltimore | 8:20 pm |
| Sun 12/6 | Oakland | 1:00 pm |
| Thu 12/10 | at Cleveland | 8:20 pm |
| Sun 12/20 | Green Bay | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 12/27 | Baltimore | 1:00 pm |
| Sun 1/3 | at Miami |
Tennesee and then at Chicago is a very tough start, without a doubt. But the rest of the NFC North matchups play out favorably, as there's no trip to Lambeau in December and the Lions--as long as the Bus doesn't show up and change the coin-flip call--are terrible. We get the Vikings, probably the North's best team, at home, too.
The AFC North is not exactly the best division in football, but even if the Browns and the Bengals improve, they likely cannot challenge Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division crown.
That leaves the AFC non-divisional schedule. Trips to Denver and Kansas City used to be brutal. Neither of those teams have the talent Pittsburgh does, and Denver will be adjusting to a new head coach and the loss of Jay Cutler. The Charger game is at home. Should we expect a different result then what happened in last season's playoff game? Miami had a fine season last year, but gimmicks like the Wildcat offense don't work against great defenses like the Steelers (just ask the Dolphins about the Ravens playoff game). The Raiders are a mess.
To paraphrase Coach Tomlin, iron can make iron; playing perrennially tough teams like the Patriots every year during the season has probably made the Pittsburgh's defense that much better, for instance. The only way we see Tom Brady or Peyton Manning this year is in a potential playoff game.
So is the Steelers' 2009 schedule easy? Or will it be tougher than it looks?
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While on the ...
surface the schedule appears much easier than last years, if not careful, the Steelers could go into the bye week 3-3 … having lost to the Teye-tans, the Chargers and the Vikings. It goes without saying … “A” game is required every week.
Easy? Well of course not. Don't be ridiculous... (c) Balky Bartokomus
We’re gonna be playing a 16 Super Bowl schedule this year.
On paper, it may not look like a very challenging schedule, but every team we play will play us like it is their very own Super Bowl.
We’ll be getting the very best effort from every single team this year.
That 2006 schedule didn’t look too daunting either in June.
I guess I was hoping more for some analysis around specific teams/games. I’m not sure team like the Lions, Raiders, and Chiefs making the Steelers “their Super Bowl” will matter much. Does anyone here think that the Bengals or Browns might be much better than they appear, for instance, and challenge for the division title? Maybe someone sees the Broncos going 13-3, ie.
The schedule looks easy and unless someone can make a concrete argument that some of these bad teams got a lot better, you have to favor Pittsburgh to roll up perhaps 12-13 wins.
Makes a good point.
Tommy with a bad OL, results BB.
BB with a bad OL, results SB.
Any way you cut it BB>Tommy.
by SNW on Jun 8, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I still don't know how to edit my post, but.
Tommy with a bad OL=BB
BB with a bad OL=SB
Would seem more correct.
by SNW on Jun 8, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
You can edit your posts by previewing it, and then posting.
I wish this will help you.
O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.
by YeOldeMexFan on Jun 11, 2009 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Really?
First off, the toughest thing on our schedule that year was a motorcycle and asphalt…
But, that aside…
Sep 7 Miami – W (28-17)
Sep 18 at Jacksonville – L (0-9)
Sep 24 Cincinnati – L (20-28)
This was the year AFTER the Bengals had won the AFC North, don’t’ forget, and many were picking them to go all the way, with Carson Palmer back after knee surgery.
Oct 8 at San Diego – L (13-23)
Oct 15 Kansas City – W (45-7)
Oct 22 at Atlanta – L (38-41)
San Diego is a perennial pick for the Super Bowl. Kansas City was a laughter, but Atlanta had some guy named Michael Vick, and were a pretty good football team.
Oct 29 at Oakland – L (13-20)
Nov 5 Denver – L (20-31)
Nov 12 New Orleans – W (38-31)
Nov 19 at Cleveland – W (24-20)
Nov 26 at Baltimore – L (0-27)
Losing to Oakland was unforgivable. But losses to Denver and Baltimore were not so surprising: Denver had been in the AFC Championship game the year before, and Baltimore had a new QB (again) and new life.
Dec 3 Tampa Bay – W (20-3)
Dec 7 Cleveland – W (27-7)
Dec 17 at Carolina – W (37-3)
Dec 24 Baltimore – L (7-31)
Dec 31 at Cincinnati – W (23-17 OT)
Ben seemed to get over losing his appendix (and almost losing his life) and a concussion… but too little too late…
But, my point is that this year’s schedule looks easier to me than in 2006, and we have a better team this year IMHO. Ben is better. The defense is better. And — dare I say it? — our coach is better. Does anyone think Seattle would have even been in the game if they had played the 2009 Steelers in 2005?
But… I agree… everyone is circling their game with the Super Bowl champions. So, there are no lay downs… Still, if we are not back in the AFC Championship game, something went seriously wrong somewhere…
by MarkJoel66 on Jun 11, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Great Post
Bleeding Black and Gold since 1989 baby, Blitzburgh is back, time for a repeat!
by Michael Hewitt on Jun 12, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions
It's the NFL, friends. Nothing is easy...
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Jun 8, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions
I totally agree
And one thing we all know as that when “sub par” teams play the Steelers, for them it’s like playing in the Super Bowl. They feel like they can salvage a season or build confidence and momentum by defeating Pittsburgh. They come to play. I for one will not take the Lions or the Raiders lightly.
No, this schedule IS easy. It seems easy this year, it will be easy next year.
The problem is that the steelers have a historic tendency to play down to their competition. Many believe Tomlin will cure this ill…maybe. This year will show if Tomlin is the man we all believe he is though, and if the rest of the steelers will man up with him.
Easy schedule? Check.
Just won the superbowl? Check.
Post-superbowl letdown? I don’t think so, but nothing is written in stone yet.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
This is a great point, that Tomlin might have a different approach that forces the Steelers to abandon that “historic tendency” you mention. I think that this group is starting to think hard about their individual and collective legacies, and that they will be just as hungry—perhaps more—to win another SB
schedule looks tough
I believe Baltimore or Pitt. wins the division this year. I wouldn’t worry to much about the schedule though. You guys had the hardest one last year but went on to win the superbowl right? Any ways, how is ya’ll o-line coming together? was there any improvments made to it? It was very bad last year and if there isn’t any attempts to improve it this year, i don’t think big Ben will last a full season.
FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the O-line
One thing you have to look at is how the line worked after playing the year together. Early on they were terrible. See the eagles game. However as they played together, they did get better.
Keeping the same core of guys, while infusing some new young talent is sure to create an improvement in their play.
I just pray
that Hills can beat out colon for that tackle spot and urbik beats out stapleton somehow. If that happens that means our line should improve tremendously.
by tannofsteel84 on Jun 9, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Easy Schedules in the NFL
We all know deep down inside that there are no easy schedules in the NFL. Every team has professional athletes who get paid to try to spank your butt. While some teams have more talent than others, all teams possess enough talent to beat you if you are looking over them. Steelguy99 hit it on the mark when he said Pittsburgh has a tendency to play down to their competition. If this was a bill cowher coached team I would say our record would be around 10-6 or 11-5 with about 3 games up there that we shouldn’t have loss. This happened in Tomlin’s first year but we can pass that off for cowher hang-over.
This is now officially tomlin’s team. Tomlin has just as many super bowl rings as his players do and lead them to one as a coach. He holds total command and respect over this team. I love the way he speaks as to not have a let down. But his players must respond. Its natural for a team to win it all and take the foot off the pedal. Its hard to fight those natural habits and force your self to push it in the off season because everyone else will be gunning for you.
Especially the titans because the way they act you would have thought we had beaten them 31-17 last year. But our super bowl win most likely felt like a loss to them. They will be coming for blood week 1 and we must meet their intensity. Just because we have new returners, hopefully an improved line, and expected upgrades from last year rookies; doesn’t translate automatically to a better season. The steelers still have to work to win the 7th Lombardi and it will most likely be harder to do this year with the bulls eye on our backs. I believe Mike wll have this team ready though.
Great comments her tannof, have to agree that the Titans remember well blowing us out at Tenn and felt they could do it again in the playoffs. We Pittsburgh fans should certainly admit that the playoffs worked out absolutely perfect for a Steeler run
I dunno about perfect
I’d have preferred to play the Dolphins than either the Ravens or Chargers.
by Chicago Steeler on Jun 9, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
well
it was perfect because we didn’t lose but I have every bit of confidence that we would have beat the titans if we would have played them. that regular season game was an anamoly.
by tannofsteel84 on Jun 11, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasnt a blowout baby
Man that game was so not as bad as it looked. You had tone’ fumble inside our own 10, and they ran that heave back for a pick 6 at the end of the game like a bunch of assholes.
Those two plays right there determined 14 points of the 21 point loss.
We were right there the whole time and they just had a few breaks. And assholery.
There are no "easy" NFL scheds, of course,
but some teams are easier to prepare for than others. Tomlin is a fanatic for preparation, much moreso than Cowher, and approaching Noll’s level of appreciation for detail. If we have a bad 2009, I doubt that it will be because we weren’t ready for every team we play.
My heros have always been Steelers...
Teams to beat
I see ths chedule the same as last years. The STEELERS are going up against 13 NFL teams with three of them played twice. The regular season goes to the teams that win the most games. Each opponent is trying there best and in each gme the team with the most points invaribly gets the “W”. It all boils down to heart, and I believe the STEELERS have more than thier share of that.
HERE WE GO STEELERS
Sea Bee
Call a spade a spade
When Pats* fans point out that they went 11-5 without Brady, we say, “They had an easy schedule.”
When someone suggests we have an easy schedule, everyone mumbles, “There’s no such thing as an easy schedule.”
As best can be determined in June, this is an easy schedule.
It is an easy schedule, But Think about this;
The Steelers have to face the Titans, two times the Ravens, Chargers, a good Vikings team, and an improve Bears team. In these six games I can see a 4-2.
Then they have to face the Dolphins, and improve Bengals team twice and Packers. From this I can see a 3-1
Finally, Detroit, Cleveland twice, Raiders, Denver, Kansas City. They should go 6-0:
So that’s a 13-3 season, give or take 14-2 or 12-4, anyway you should think we will be in the playoffs, but keep in mind the Ravens have almost the same schedule, so depending on face to face, if we end for some reason at 12-4 or 11-5 they could still win the division. (This puts a lot of pressure not to play down to competition, or have off days)
This explains why the Dolphins, Patriots and Jets all had good records last year and two of them didn’t make it to the playoffs. You never know but the same can happen two teams in the North division.
Good point about B-whore
B-whore has to play the pats I believe where we do not, and they also got the colts instead of the ten’teeth titans. The colts spanked them last year. Hopefully that helps us.
I think we always have to remember that you simply MUST sweep your division to have a pretty much perfect shot at clinching it. I dont know if any teams that went 6-0 in division play lost the title, but I’d say its a safe bet.
Beat the Purple Browns 2 times and you can feel at ease about much more of your sched. Focus on the games you knew were coming.
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