This is a chance for Tomlin to build on some success last week. The Steelers got a HUGE break with the flood of points. If that doesn't happen I think everyone knows they don't win that game. But, it did happen and the Steelers pulled out some much needed self respect.
Tomlin, Haley and Lebeau have a real opportunity to bust some *** and build on last week and prove that they can put together a few good games in a row against Indy and the Ravens. Win the next two games and the Steelers are right back in the middle of the hunt. Lose one or both and they're once again pretty much out of contention. Especially if they lose to Baltimore again. 2 division losses and languishing at .500 is not going to give you a strong wildcard opportunity.
While I think Tomlin is inept, I do see this as a real opportunity for him. Basically the next two weeks are a chance for him to prove that he has the capability to take a team that has real weaknesses and coach them into wins. Can he do it? Probably not. About the only think he's got on his side is that most teams in the league probably aren't taking the Steelers very seriously right now. Even at home nobody can really expect any consistency or real fire from Pittsburgh. They've been so lost this season that both Indy and the Ravens have to assume that they can beat the Steelers by A) getting up early on them and forcing them to be 1 dimensional. Ben's only too eager to throw the ball and with that offensive line he'll be forced to make terribly risky throws. That will play right into Indy's hands if they can get up early.
As for the Ravens, all they need to do is beat the hell out of the Steelers physically. That's worked for them for years and Pittsburgh hasn't been able to match them pretty much since Tomlin got here. We may have been able to stand with them toe to toe for a season or two with Cowher's players, but since Tomlin and Colbert started drafting undersized Tampax 2 players, the Ravens have pretty much just beat the **** out of Pittsburgh physically every time they've gone on the field with them. They don't even try to disguise what they're doing. They just come and bust us in the mouth for 60 minutes and wait for the Steelers to fold. More often than not that's what happens.
So, Mike you pretty much have a golden opportunity to take all the crap people like me have been saying about you and somehow manage to crap a golden egg. I admit, that's a pretty tall order cause by this point we're all pretty sure you're full of ****. But I'd sure love to see a golden egg. I really would.
That said...
Steelers 42
Indy 10
Steelers 28
Ravens 13
