Why the worry? Steelers will make the playoffs.
Following Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, I started reading some of the comments from Steelers fans. Many took the same path as Hines Ward and questioned Ben Roethlisberger’s toughness. Others had a few choice words for the Steelers defense. Of course there were some who blasted the Steelers special teams (nothing new there). And we can always count on the “Fire Bruce Arians” crew to be vocal about their views. Heck, there were even some who called for Mike Tomlin to be fired.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
As I read the comments in total disbelief, I found myself asking, “what’s everyone so worried about?”
The Steelers’ loss on Sunday definitely made it much more difficult for them to make the playoffs. But they are still right in the chase for a wildcard playoff spot. They are currently behind Denver (7-4), but I don’t think that is going to last. Then they’re tied with Jacksonville (6-5) and Baltimore (6-5) for the final wildcard spot.
The Steelers look like a probable playoff participant. Moreover, they’re 6-5, not 5-6. So why is Steeler Nation in such a panic?
If we look at the Steelers’ future opponents, the challenges don’t look daunting. They have what look like easy wins against Oakland and Cleveland remaining. Yeah, I know that we said the same thing about Kansas City, but that was an anomaly. The Steelers also have to face the Baltimore Ravens here in Pittsburgh. The Ravens just barely beat us in overtime with our 3rd string quarterback starting, and without Troy Polamalu. Let’s see them do that in Pittsburgh with Big Ben at the helm, and Troy likely in the line-up. The Miami Dolphins’ record (5-6) is below .500, so the Steelers should be able to beat them. The greatest challenge may be the Green Bay Packers. They’re 7-4, but they’re trailing the Minnesota Vikings (who the Steelers already beat) in the NFC North. That game will be in Pittsburgh, so the Steelers should have a decided advantage.
When we look at that schedule, it is very easy to envision the Steelers winning each of those games. Going 5-0 is very feasible. However, the other teams that are in the playoff hunt probably can’t say the same thing.
The Denver Broncos currently hold the first wildcard position. However, they have lost 3 games in a row, and they still have games remaining against the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles. That is hardly an easy path to the playoffs. In fact, they’ll probably be underdogs in both of those games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ path doesn’t look much easier. Jacksonville has games remaining against Houston, Indianapolis, and New England. They could easily lose all of those games. They’ll likely lose 2 of them. Count them out.
The Ravens still have out-of-division games with Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago, and Oakland. They might lose one of those games. But the biggest obstacle in the Ravens’ path is another meeting with the Steelers. This one will be in Pittsburgh, and the Ravens will be the underdogs.
So as you can see, the Steelers fate is really in their own hands. If they take care of business, the playoffs are within reach.
Does anyone really think that Jacksonville is going to beat Indy and New England? Me neither.
Does anyone believe that Denver is going to beat Indianapolis and Philadelphia? I didn’t think so.
Does anyone believe that Baltimore is going to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh? Of course not.
So I’ll ask the question again, “what’s everyone so worried about?”
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Donald,
You are either in denial or you are trying to get me to post again. If it is the latter it worked but it is probably the former.
Do you really think that K.C. was a fluke? Does that mean the Bears and Bengals twice were too? How about Steelers beating Minn being a fluke. They lose that game if that awful tripping call was not made. Or do we forget those things on purpose?
I believe you made the same comments about the Bengals playing us the second time around and how they couldn’t win twice…hmmm
Packers an underdog to Steelers. Nope. They will pass for 400 yards and 3 TDs.
And the Ravens lose one to either Detroit, Chicago, Oakland or GB? You just got through explaining how weak two of those teams were and another has already beaten us this year(Chi).
You said it is in their hands. Well sure it is but it has been all season long. It was in their hands in Baltimore last week and in K.C. the week before. Oh, and in Cin. the week before that.
Does anybody remember getting embarassed by Oakland a few years ago? I do.
And finally, Tomlin’s comments about unleashing hell and being in attack mode in December? Oh please! Can anyone tell me why he wasn’t in that mode until now?
The Steelers may win out. They may get a wildcard spot. But the inability to conceive being beaten by teams they should beat is exactly why we are discussing how they can get in the playoffs instead of what needs to happen to get homefield.
1I agree with most of what was originally posted. I think it is entirely possible that we could win out and make the wild card but the reason I like most fans have a high level of skepticism is due to the fact that whether it is Cowher or Tomlin we always lose random games that we shouldn’t (home versus the Bungles and K.C.). If you even go back to last year we were pretty dominate but some games just felt closer than they needed to be. As much as I, just like the rest of our fanbase love the team, the consistency just isn’t there like some of the “elite” teams in the league today.
2Hey Donald – I’m suppossed to be the pollyanna of the group! But actually, you and Tony are both right…or, at least, you both have good points.
After the Baltimore game, I looked at the Denver, Baltimore, Jacksonville, and even Houston schedules. I would say that Pitsburgh has the easist one among those teams. [And to think I said I wasn't going to do that after the KC game - well that resolution lasted all of 1 week]
I would also say that (if Ben stays healthy and Troy comes back by the GB game) I expect the Steelers to win their remaining games and finish 11-5.
Now, of course, Tony’s main point remains…we all expected them to beat KC, Chicago and the Bengals…and they didn’t. Yes, each game was close and Troy didn’t play in any of them but, given their track record so far, it is quite likely they could lay another egg or two.
What we really have to hope for is that the entire team gets mad at their performance so far and comes together to make a december push. Can the team that played Denver show up week in and week out for the rest of the season!
3john,
i agree. They need to get mad as a whole. Doesn’t it just seem that they have this feeling that if they show up they will win? Game preparation and game planning just seem to be below average week in and week out.
And my resolutions don’t last very long either.
4Tony,
I can’t deny that the Steelers’ season so far has been a disappointment. They’ve lost to teams that shouldn’t hav even been on the same field as them. But that doesn’t change the fact that they have a very good chance of making the playoffs if they just play up to their potential (which is not a given).
At this point, I am choosing to be optimistic. However, I completely understand those who have doubts.
5Benny,
You’re right. The Steelers never seem to blow anyone out. Not even the bad teams.
I agree that they are probably not an elite team this year. But then again, I don’t think I’ve seen an elite team so far. The Vikings didn’t look so tough when we beat them. The Colts are their normal selves. The Saints did look pretty awesome when they spanked the Patriots. They are probably the only team that looks “elite” so far.
6John,
7You’re right. This year’s Steelers are schizophrenic. Fans can never be sure which Steelers team is going to show up from week to week.
I can’t believe that anyone is surprised by the Superbowl hangover. I don’t think it has as much to do with guys not playing well, or Troy being out as it is predictability on offense. Arians knows that everyone has studied our plays having won two Superbowls in 4 years. His solution is to call plays that no one could predict,(rather would predict). Only because I was wrong 3 weeks in a row…Oakland 17 – Pittsburgh 14 in OT.
8EASY WINS AGAINST OAK AND CLEVELAND, LOL
9WAY TO UNLEASH HELL. THE BALTIMORE GAME IS NOW
MEANINGLESS AS THE RAVENS WILL HAVE A 3-3 DIVISION RECORD AND WIN THE TIE BREAKER!!
BRONCO\RAVEN 5 AND 6 SEEDS!!
Thank you , thank you , Thank you , ! It’s really nice to see that although the season has not gone as most Steelers fan had wanted , HOPE still remains in some of us !I will always keep the faith and I hope they keep the fight !
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