The Steelers are still on track for a first round bye

by seton hall and steelers on Nov 15, 2010 3:21 PM EST

Despite that horrible loss to the Patriots last night, the Steelers are still on track for a first round bye and at least 1 home playoff game.

The Patriots beat us. Yes I know. However, the two 7 and 2 teams in the AFC are in the East. We all know that a division can only earn one first round bye. That means that either the Jets or Patriots will have to play a road wild card game to start the playoffs. This leaves the Steelers and Ravens (possibly the Colts) for the other first round bye. We also know that the Steelers still play the Ravens. If the Steelers beat the Ravens and play the way they should the rest of the season the Steelers will earn a first round bye. I am rooting for the Jets to beat the Patriots because we still play the Jets. If we beat the Jets and the Patriots lose to the Jets we could still earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Here are some scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Jets lose to Patriots, and Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens and both finish 12 and 4

Patriots earn 1 seed, Steelers earn 2 seed

Scenario 2:

Jets beat Patriots, lose to Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens

Patriots lose game not vs. Jets

Steelers earn 1 seed, Jets earn 2 seed

To recap:

Even though we were embarrased last night we still control our own destiny for a first round bye and with only a little help home field advantage throughout the playoffs

Scenario 1:

Jets lose to Patriots, and Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens and both finish 12 and 4

Patriots earn 1 seed, Steelers earn 2 seed

Scenario 2:

Jets beat Patriots, lose to Steelers

Steelers beat Ravens

Patriots lose game not vs. Jets

Steelers earn 1 seed, Jets earn 2 seed

To recap:

Even though we were embarrased last night we still control our own destiny for a first round bye and with only a little help home field advantage throughout the playoffs

Now some goods and bads on the game last night.

To start with the bads

1. William Gay: He gave up three TD's to a blocking TE. He should be benched next week because his play was awful.

2. Trai Essex: He played just horrible yesterday. He looked fat, lazy, and out of shape. If The Big Legursky is healthy next week he better get the start.

3. the rest of the offensive line: 5 sacks to a horrible defense. Could not create running room. Just unacceptable

4. The injury bug: Hines Ward suffered a concussion due to a helmet to helmet hit that will likely go un-fined. Lawrence Timmons left the game in the 4th quarter and did not return.

5. Jeff Reed: Missed a 22 yard FG and barley made a 26 yard FG. He needs to be cut now or at the end of the season. Hopefully now. He is not an NFL FG kicker. He should be sent to the CFL.

6. The DE's: Every big run Ben Jarvis Green Ellis had was right an one of our two DE's in the game. They were constantly getting pushed off the ball and could not make plays at all.

7. Deebo and Lamaar Woodley: A group of OLB's that is far and away the best in the NFL. However, yesterday they looked horrible.

8. The defensive game plan: Coach Dad should know that soft coverage will never beat the Pats. If we play them again we need to rush 5 to 7 every play and have our corners play hard bump and run coverage. If we continue to sag off Pats receivers we will continue to get beat.

9. ARE: He should be benched in favor of Manny Sanders. He had a drop in the endzone that ended up being huge in the game. He was just pathetic.

Wow is that a long list of bads. Now moving on to the few goods

1. Mike Wallace: Mike showed he is a complete receiver. Despite not having any huge deep catches, he had 8 rec for 136yds and 2 tds. I would rate him a top 15 receiver and he is getting better every day.

2. Emmanuel Sanders: With Hines Ward hurt, Manny Sanders stepped up. He had 5rec for 41yds and a TD and Ben looked to him a lot in the 4th Quarter. He should get the spot instead of ARE and Brown should be dressed instead of ARE. Sanders made one mistake missing a hot read but other than that he played great.

3. Rashard Mendenhall: Despite an unimpressive stat line, Mendy showed the ability to cut and move. Despite having no blocking Mendy finished averaging 4.5 yards a carry.

4. Mewelde Moore: He had 5 rec for 79yds and 14yds on the ground. A pretty solid game from Moore.

5. James Farrior: James had a great game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assists. He did not get burned on pass coverage either.

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Comments

That blocking TE ain't no blocking TE

He can catch too. He hasn’t done anything this year because of Hernadez the other TE doing well. It’s not like he gave up a TD to Crumpler.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Nov 15, 2010 3:30 PM EST reply actions

but he is not known for his receiving. He is definitley a decent pass catcher but

it is still pathetic that a CB cant cover a 3rd string TE. You can’t try and tell me Willie Gay did not play awful yesterday

by seton hall and steelers on Nov 15, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

He was a 2nd round pick this year!

He their Miller. Except Hernadez is like Dallas Clark. I think that was Belichick being brilliant again. Use Hernadez make everybody worry about him and then spring Gronkoski out on your biggest threat in the AFC.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Nov 15, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

He most likely would have been a first rounder too...

If it wasn’t for a back injury. Kid’s the real deal, and all-around, old fashioned TE. Heath Miller is a great comparison, although I think Gronk has a little more athleticism.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 15, 2010 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Everyone Played Horrible Yesterday.

Other than Wallace(didnt he drop a td catch?) , Harrrison, and Timmons- The whole team sucked in every aspect. I have to hide my face today- to the fact there is nothing good to say about the Steelers game. Matter of fact…BBBLLLLAAAAAAAHHHHH— yup….. i just threw up again.

by B. M on Nov 15, 2010 3:43 PM EST reply actions

The bad

1. I don’t think they kept a back up nickle CB this year. He out physicalled Gay. just like Owens last week.
2. Yes but Legs is the only back up C and they had to see how Pouncey would hold up first. Since he’s a stud, they now can do something. But only if Kemo comes back.
3. I’m not rewatching but 2-3 sacks were OL and 2-3 were playcalling/coverange/trying to make lemonaide, and the line is a mess due to injury. Pretty tough task.
4. Every time they showed the guy that hit Ward, you could see a big mark on his helmet were they hit, but no fine comming. Timmons, looked painfull in slowmo. Probably should have put in Allen for Timmons and moved Troy to ILB, but Allen may not be fully recovered from his concussion last week.
5. Need to have open tryouts this week.
6. No comment.
7. 2 drives 10 pnts then the D shut them down for a while, but the O just could not get it going. Give Belicheat/Brady enough try’s they figure anyone out.
8. Don’t have the CB’s for it. Ike moved up, but Timmons was out and Foote took his place, ouch.
9. Agreed.
The goods.
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Yes.

I also thought Foster played solid.

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Nov 15, 2010 3:46 PM EST reply actions