Steelers only 1 back in the loss column (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

Despite a positively gruesome 3 game stretch, Pittsburgh is only 1 back of Cincy and 1.5 back of Baltimore (1 back in the loss column) with a softer stretch of schedule upcoming. With Cincinnati facing a tough Carolina team, the possibility of tying them this Sunday is very real.

Anyone else like the matchup with Atlanta? The last time the Steelers faced Vick and the Falcons, the game ended in a tie. However, this Steelers team is very good against the run, which is Atlanta's strength. With a guy back in Troy Polamalu now, who can play the spy role on Vick, they should be able to continue to keep 8 in the box, contain Vick to some extent, and force him to make plays downfield with his arm. In man coverage, I like Ike Taylor and McFadden/Townsend's chances against the likes of Jenkins, White, and Lelie. The key is going to be containing Alge Crumpler, particularly on 3rd downs. You can't give Vick too many chances on any drive, as he's a threat to break one at any time (as is Dunn and also Norwood, apparently.)

Finally looked like the Steelers of the last couple of years yesterday - Roethlisberger was back to form, making good decisions and throwing darts all over the field. When the running game is humming like it was, and opens up passing lanes, Roethlisberger can kill a defense, and that's what happened yesterday. Hopefully this is a harbinger of things to come.



Oh, and The Scientist... where are you this week, buddy?

 

[fred_1_15301]

Despite a positively gruesome 3 game stretch, Pittsburgh is only 1 back of Cincy and 1.5 back of Baltimore (1 back in the loss column) with a softer stretch of schedule upcoming. With Cincinnati facing a tough Carolina team, the possibility of tying them this Sunday is very real.Anyone else like the matchup with Atlanta? The last time the Steelers faced Vick and the Falcons, the game ended in a tie. However, this Steelers team is very good against the run, which is Atlanta's strength. With a guy back in Troy Polamalu now, who can play the spy role on Vick, they should be able to continue to keep 8 in the box, contain Vick to some extent, and force him to make plays downfield with his arm. In man coverage, I like Ike Taylor and McFadden/Townsend's chances against the likes of Jenkins, White, and Lelie. The key is going to be containing Alge Crumpler, particularly on 3rd downs. You can't give Vick too many chances on any drive, as he's a threat to break one at any time (as is Dunn and also Norwood, apparently.)Finally looked like the Steelers of the last couple of years yesterday - Roethlisberger was back to form, making good decisions and throwing darts all over the field. When the running game is humming like it was, and opens up passing lanes, Roethlisberger can kill a defense, and that's what happened yesterday. Hopefully this is a harbinger of things to come.Oh, and The Scientist... where are you this week, buddy?

You forgot to mention the Steelers homefield advantage in Atlanta next week.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

With Cincinnati facing a tough Carolina team, the possibility of tying them this Sunday is very real.

Careful, I mentioned this in the FFA and was met with a "tiebreaker, we're still ahead" pair of posts. The Atlanta game should be a good one. We got tix in row 34 and this should be yet another "road-home game" -- The yinzer populuation in ATL is substantial.

 

[3MTA3]

Despite a positively gruesome 3 game stretch, Pittsburgh is only 1 back of Cincy and 1.5 back of Baltimore (1 back in the loss column) with a softer stretch of schedule upcoming. With Cincinnati facing a tough Carolina team, the possibility of tying them this Sunday is very real.Anyone else like the matchup with Atlanta? The last time the Steelers faced Vick and the Falcons, the game ended in a tie. However, this Steelers team is very good against the run, which is Atlanta's strength. With a guy back in Troy Polamalu now, who can play the spy role on Vick, they should be able to continue to keep 8 in the box, contain Vick to some extent, and force him to make plays downfield with his arm. In man coverage, I like Ike Taylor and McFadden/Townsend's chances against the likes of Jenkins, White, and Lelie. The key is going to be containing Alge Crumpler, particularly on 3rd downs. You can't give Vick too many chances on any drive, as he's a threat to break one at any time (as is Dunn and also Norwood, apparently.)Finally looked like the Steelers of the last couple of years yesterday - Roethlisberger was back to form, making good decisions and throwing darts all over the field. When the running game is humming like it was, and opens up passing lanes, Roethlisberger can kill a defense, and that's what happened yesterday. Hopefully this is a harbinger of things to come.Oh, and The Scientist... where are you this week, buddy?

You forgot to mention the Steelers homefield advantage in Atlanta next week.

No you seem to forget, us Steeler fans jumped the bandwagon last week. I don't expect to see more than 10 Steeler fans in Atlanta for the game.

 

[beavers]

 

[Phokus]

Don't worry, ben will be back to his 'deer in headlights' performance soon.

 

[3MTA3]

Don't worry, ben will be back to his 'deer in headlights' performance soon.

So I should not hop back on the bandwagon?

 

[sdsjr3]

Funny. I'm not a Steelers fan, although I'm from PA and don't really mind them. Many of my buddies had already written them off and laughed at me when I said the Steelers would still win the division last week.

They are a far more complete team than either Cincy or the Ravens. First...I still think the Ravens suck. Defense wins championships, but this offense isn't getting better...it's getting worse. And if anyone thinks Boller will lead them to the promised land, they are fooling themselves. Or they just haven't paid attention the past 3 years.

Cincy is floundering right now. Which I don't completely understand. My initial thought is that the off-field problems are causing chemistry issues amonst the team. They are certainly out of sync and I think that if you allow the Steelers to get a hold on that top spot in the division, they won't catch them. Aside from that, Cincy's D is very overrated. In fact...I think the team as a whole is personally.

Ben will be fine...they don't ask him to win games...just eliminate mistakes. He's far from an elite QB...but he doesn't have to be one. As long as they can run...they will win. Barring a complete collapse of the O-line (because the defense is, as always, good) pencil the Steelers into the playoffs.

 

[Godsbrother]

Just as it was too early to count the Steelers out last week, I think it is too early to start thinking about the playoffs. It was only 1 win -- a big one no doubt, but it was still only 1 win.

The Steelers just need to worry about beating the Falcons this week and then Oakland after that and so on. Cincy and Baltimore aren't looking all that great and if the Steelers can put a couple more wins together, they'll be right in the thick of it.

By the way, Atlanta is going to be packed with Steelers fans, I can assure you.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

With Cincinnati facing a tough Carolina team, the possibility of tying them this Sunday is very real.

Careful, I mentioned this in the FFA and was met with a "tiebreaker, we're still ahead" pair of posts. The Atlanta game should be a good one. We got tix in row 34 and this should be yet another "road-home game" -- The yinzer populuation in ATL is substantial.

Represent, GB.

 

[PsychoMan]

Steelers should beat up on Atlanta.

I'm thinking of starting Michael Turner over Warrick Dunn.

... and maybe Colston as my TE.

 

[corpcow]

I went to my first Steelers game this weekend (my fiance is a die-hard and we went back for the game for her birthday).

They looked VERY good yesterday. I've been telling people to cut Ben some slack - I mean, come on, he had a pretty damn rough off-season - and he looked sharp yesterday. Willie is running VERY well even up the middle.

Perhaps more importantly, the defense came alive. Yes, it was Herm (I'm a Jets fan, I hate Herm - did he pass on first down ONCE last game?) and Trent was out but they were flying around... a number of near-picks, TOTALLY shut down LJ.

Things are looking up

 

[corpcow]

I went to my first Steelers game this weekend (my fiance is a die-hard and we went back for the game for her birthday).

They looked VERY good yesterday. I've been telling people to cut Ben some slack - I mean, come on, he had a pretty damn rough off-season - and he looked sharp yesterday. Willie is running VERY well even up the middle.

Perhaps more importantly, the defense came alive. Yes, it was Herm (I'm a Jets fan, I hate Herm - did he pass on first down ONCE last game?) and Trent was out but they were flying around... a number of near-picks, TOTALLY shut down LJ.

Things are looking up

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

The Steelers 3-game '06 slide now looks eerily similar to their 3-game '05 slide. Now that the rust is off I expect Ben to look like the QB he did in a 27-4 start to his career. The O-line played much better yesterday. When they give Ben time this team is very difficult to beat.

 

[Stillers Jr.]

For those who hate the Steeler towel wave icon I'll just post the 2nd most annoying song in the NFL...

Fly Steelers Fly

On the road to vic-tor-eeeeee!!

S-T-E-E-L-E-R-S...STEELERS!

HAHA! It's the worst part of having to live in the Philly area...that dumb-### song.

 

[The Jerk]

The Steelers 3-game '06 slide now looks eerily similar to their 3-game '05 slide. Now that the rust is off I expect Ben to look like the QB he did in a 27-4 start to his career. The O-line played much better yesterday. When they give Ben time this team is very difficult to beat.

I want to agree with you. However, the Steelers are still making several mistakes. Four fumbles and a short field goal miss could have cost them against better competition. You know the old saying... you're never as good as you look like when you win or as bad as you look like when you lose.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The Steelers 3-game '06 slide now looks eerily similar to their 3-game '05 slide. Now that the rust is off I expect Ben to look like the QB he did in a 27-4 start to his career. The O-line played much better yesterday. When they give Ben time this team is very difficult to beat.

I want to agree with you. However, the Steelers are still making several mistakes. Four fumbles and a short field goal miss could have cost them against better competition. You know the old saying... you're never as good as you look like when you win or as bad as you look like when you lose.

The fumbles are certainly a problem. Reed, I'm not as worried about, he's been known to blow a few easy ones here and there, but never seems to do it when the game is on the line... :knockswood:

 

[The Jerk]

The Steelers 3-game '06 slide now looks eerily similar to their 3-game '05 slide. Now that the rust is off I expect Ben to look like the QB he did in a 27-4 start to his career. The O-line played much better yesterday. When they give Ben time this team is very difficult to beat.

I want to agree with you. However, the Steelers are still making several mistakes. Four fumbles and a short field goal miss could have cost them against better competition. You know the old saying... you're never as good as you look like when you win or as bad as you look like when you lose.

The fumbles are certainly a problem. Reed, I'm not as worried about, he's been known to blow a few easy ones here and there, but never seems to do it when the game is on the line... :knockswood:

And few teams are going to be mistake-free, but that's what it takes in today's NFL. It's not like it was 25 years ago. I rewatched SB XIV and saw an unbelievable stat. The Steelers and the Rams were #1 and #2 in turnovers during the 1979-80 season. Incredible that they met in the Super Bowl that season.

 

[cstu]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT.

The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

 

[Marc Levin]

Not surprising - the AFC North is NOWHERE NEAR as competitve as we all thought it'd be.

The Bengals can't stop anyone and are being stopped.

The Ravens can't get first downs consistently enough to let their defense win games, and Boller at the helm = losing record from here on out.

The Browns, well, insert joke here.

The history of SB champs making it back to the playoffs is EXCEPTIONAL - the Steelers will make the playoffs this year.

 

[sdsjr3]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

If this happens...and it could...that's bad for the Steelers. I "think" the Jags, Indy, SD, and Denver will make it thus making the division winner the only team from the North to make the playoffs.

 

[Marc Levin]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

If this happens...and it could...that's bad for the Steelers. I "think" the Jags, Indy, SD, and Denver will make it thus making the division winner the only team from the North to make the playoffs.

And, obviously, NE running away with the east.

 

[sdsjr3]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

If this happens...and it could...that's bad for the Steelers. I "think" the Jags, Indy, SD, and Denver will make it thus making the division winner the only team from the North to make the playoffs.

And, obviously, NE running away with the east.

Obviously. UGH...I'm so sick of saying that as a Jets fan!

 

[apalmer]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

Since the Steelers need to beat Cincy when they play again anyhow, it's not a big deal as long as they both sweep the Ravens. If Cincy & Baltimore split, Pittsburgh and Cincy are tied going into week 17 when they play again and if the Steelers don't win, the split didn't help. If Cincy sweeps Baltimore, Pittsburgh is in position to move into a tie with a win on week 17 (obviously, both scenarios assume they lose the same number of other games). It's way too early to start trying to figure out tie-breakers, so at least for now, I'm content with that. Same if the Ravens sweep Cincy--it stlll depends on what happens in the Steeler/Ravens games.

 

[CrossEyed]

Cincinnati and Baltimore will be lucky to finish 9-7. Cincinnati has a putrid defense and a beat up o-line. The Ravens have Kyle Boller. Enough said.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Cincinnati and Baltimore will be lucky to finish 9-7. Cincinnati has a putrid defense and a beat up o-line. The Ravens have Kyle Boller. Enough said.

It could also be said that the Steelers would be lucky to finish 9-7 (which may be good enough to win the North). The Steelers are 2-3 which would mean they'd have to finish 7-4 the rest of the way just to finish 9-7. They have some tough matchups:1. @ Atl (They better win this one if they want to seriously be considered a playoff contender)2. Oakland (This one will be embarrassing like the KC game)3. Denver (thankfully they get them at home)4. New Orleans (much tougher game than what we thought going into the season)5. @ Cleveland (no worries)6. @ Baltimore (this one will be close)7. Tampa (they won't have a letdown like Cincy)8. Cleveland (no worries)9. @ Carolina (chances are the Steelers will be in a must win situation at this point like last year. Lets see what they're made of)10. Baltimore (another must win game I'm guessing)11. @ Cincy (could determine their season)With that schedule, I could see 4 losses. It all depends on which Steelers team is the real one (the one that didn't show up against Jax and SD or the one that looked dominant against KC).

 

[Marc Levin]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

If this happens...and it could...that's bad for the Steelers. I "think" the Jags, Indy, SD, and Denver will make it thus making the division winner the only team from the North to make the playoffs.

And, obviously, NE running away with the east.

Obviously. UGH...I'm so sick of saying that as a Jets fan!

well known phins phan

 

[Godsbrother]

Trying to project the winners of game two weeks from now, let alone at the end of the season is a waste of time. I didn't hear anyone at the start of the season say that the Saints would be 5-1 and leading the division.

Things can change quickly in the NFL. Carolina started the season 0-2 and are now 4-2. Baltimore started 4-0 and is now 4-2.

 

[Marc Levin]

Totally - predictions on how teams will fare for the rest of the season in specific games are total garbage.

 

[jonessed]

I'm not counting them out since the team is at least as talented as anyone in the division. However, they have dug themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of. The problem the Steelers have is that if either the Bengals or Ravens sweep their games vs each other then then that team likely will win the division. If the Bengals sweep the Ravens it will be even tougher for the Steelers since they already have the win in PIT. The division is looking to shape up the way it did last year with Cincy winning and the Steelers needing to get in with a wild card.

If this happens...and it could...that's bad for the Steelers. I "think" the Jags, Indy, SD, and Denver will make it thus making the division winner the only team from the North to make the playoffs.

I think Pitt has a decent chance of winning their division. The Ravens' offense is putrid and I just don't see them being in the thick of things, but I think all the controversy surrounding Cincy is taking a toll on their chemistry and that can be rectified with time. One of these two teams will take the division and the other likely won't make the playoffs.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

if big ben plays like he did sun, PIT is in a much better position... of course it depends on how CIN & BAL close the season out...

i thought ben was throwing off his back feet too much before the KC game... this week he was really stepping into his throws... if he is a little weaker from losing weight & not being able to lift in off-season as much as he normally does (kind of hard to get caught up on that in-season), having good mechanics will help him compensate for & overcome that issue...

polamalu seemed to be hurt earlier, missing tackles & generally not himself, so if he gets over shoulder injury that would help a lot, too... he looked pretty explosive on that INT return... that dude is always looking to take it to the house the instant the ball is in his hands, like ed reed...

 

[omally]

Anyone else like the matchup with Atlanta?

If the Steelers can shut down the run, and make Vick beat them with his arm, the Steelers have a good chance.

 

[Steelers4Life]

if big ben plays like he did sun, PIT is in a much better position... of course it depends on how CIN & BAL close the season out...i thought ben was throwing off his back feet too much before the KC game... this week he was really stepping into his throws... if he is a little weaker from losing weight & not being able to lift in off-season as much as he normally does (kind of hard to get caught up on that in-season), having good mechanics will help him compensate for & overcome that issue...polamalu seemed to be hurt earlier, missing tackles & generally not himself, so if he gets over shoulder injury that would help a lot, too... he looked pretty explosive on that INT return... that dude is always looking to take it to the house the instant the ball is in his hands, like ed reed...

Yesterday was the first time all year that Ben really seemed comfortable in the pocket and his accuracy was there because of it. He had more time, but he didn't seem as nervous in the pocket and didn't shy away from contact as much as he had in previous weeks.There was one play in particular that stood out to me, and it's a play Ben's made many times. It was a bootleg roll-out to the right with Heath Miller blocking for him, and the play was intended to be a deep corner route to Cedrick Wilson. Wilson was double teamed, but it's the throw that Ben was trying force the past few weeks. Instead, he stopped, bought a few seconds, and allowed Miller to peel off his block and catch a 10-15 yard dump-off for a first down.And Polamalu was awesome yesterday. I was at the game and watched him a lot, and the guy's gotta be back to 100% healthy again. He doesn't miss tackles when he's healthy.

 

[yinzer]

Im not worried about ATL at all because of how they win games vs how we win games, and thats a win-win situation for us.

Troy was definitely back, and you didn't need to see his boxscore of 10 tackles (9 solo), INT, and 3 PD's to know it. No Porter, JHarrison, and Simmons and they O and D both still looked sharp.

Looking at the schedule, I say they lose 4 at most (out of DEN, NO, BAL (1 maybe), and CAR), and if they continue to improve, they should win 2-3 of those games.

I know projections are bogus, but JAX schedule is cake and they only have 4 games that will likely be games (NYG, PHI, IND, NE) and they'd have to lose all of those to have 6 losses, plus they already got the tiebreak on us

Im assuming a wildcard from either DEN or SD, so I think it comes down to who wins the North

 

[Evilgrin 72]

if big ben plays like he did sun, PIT is in a much better position... of course it depends on how CIN & BAL close the season out...

i thought ben was throwing off his back feet too much before the KC game... this week he was really stepping into his throws... if he is a little weaker from losing weight & not being able to lift in off-season as much as he normally does (kind of hard to get caught up on that in-season), having good mechanics will help him compensate for & overcome that issue...

polamalu seemed to be hurt earlier, missing tackles & generally not himself, so if he gets over shoulder injury that would help a lot, too... he looked pretty explosive on that INT return... that dude is always looking to take it to the house the instant the ball is in his hands, like ed reed...

Yesterday was the first time all year that Ben really seemed comfortable in the pocket and his accuracy was there because of it. He had more time, but he didn't seem as nervous in the pocket and didn't shy away from contact as much as he had in previous weeks.There was one play in particular that stood out to me, and it's a play Ben's made many times. It was a bootleg roll-out to the right with Heath Miller blocking for him, and the play was intended to be a deep corner route to Cedrick Wilson. Wilson was double teamed, but it's the throw that Ben was trying force the past few weeks. Instead, he stopped, bought a few seconds, and allowed Miller to peel off his block and catch a 10-15 yard dump-off for a first down.

And Polamalu was awesome yesterday. I was at the game and watched him a lot, and the guy's gotta be back to 100% healthy again. He doesn't miss tackles when he's healthy.

I'm glad you brought that up, because that same play, I commented to my GF and my brother, was the Roethlisberger we know instead of the guy who seemed to feel like the weight of the world was on him the last few weeks and was forcing balls all over the field. Very good sign.