The team now has a chance to take over the division lead

[Wingman]

The steelers surprisingly to many of us now have a chance to contend for the division lead. It will take some more wins and in fact may require us to win out to keep it. The Ravens and Clowns are still close as are the Bungles. I would say that with good play they might see two other division foes in the playoffs. Yes right now the playoffs are a possibility for nearly every team in the division they are so close.

This could be the year that three playoff teams come from the AFC North and the other team is not that far out of it. If I remember correctly the AFC north is the only division that all of the teams have a winning record. Some folks will say that's because they are playing such and such that is a couple of very bad divisions but could they also be bad because they are playing the AFC North?

Just some things to think about. When I thought of them I remembered the games that were inter-division back in the 70s when the Bengals played hard as did the Browns and I often thought the best games from a stand point of being the most challenging were the Houston Oilers and Steelers and thought on many occasions this team is better than who ever we will play in the rest of the post season.

 

[slashsteel]

I am hoping they gain enough confidence to carry over to a playoff birth.

 

[wig]

Let's just try to beat the Jets in New York.

Playing trap games has proven to be a major achilles heel for this team. Let's not book any playoff tickets just yet. Coach Tomlin, Haley and Lebeau need to keep working. They aren't even at .500 yet. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I'm as thrilled as anyone but the moment people start getting all celebratory is the second the Jets get their win.

 

[steelhurt]

Now another test starts the next two weeks; on the road and against two inferior teams. Do we play down to the competition as has been the trend under this coach, or do we take it to the next level and beat the teams we're supposed to beat?

Although I love the recent success and tip my hat to Coach Tomlin, Haley and LeBeau, job well done gentlemen, the jury still remains out for me. I need to see more to be convinced and I think these next two weeks will speak volumes as to exactly where this team currently sits and where its is headed. Are they legit or are they posers?

 

[SteelerFan448]

The Steelers should smash their next two opponents--two of the worst in the league--assuming they don't revert back to early in the season form.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Playing crappy teams may be the kiss of death. These guys have an history of getting full of themselves after a big win then losing to a bad team.

It does feel different now due to the WRs emerging and the offense taking off. The Houston game was a bit lucky but the Colts and Ravens games were just good execution. There was nothing in these 2 games that is not repeatable.


That doesn't mean 6 TDs every week, but it does mean every week, the Steelers should be a matchup nightmare for the defense. They have 3 home run threat WRs. That means safeties must play back. Play too far back and Ben throws the quick screen to the WR for some free yards.


You want to play man? Now Bell comes out of the backfield and torches your LB for an easy reception. Heath now has all kinds of open space over the middle.

 

[Steeltime]

Playing crappy teams may be the kiss of death. These guys have an history of getting full of themselves after a big win then losing to a bad team.

Kiesel, Harrison and Polamalu are the leaders on defense, Ben and Brown on offense.

They hammer home that in the NFL, what you did last week matters for @$&%, and get the team on task, and they will be fine. Crossing fingers and hoping that happens.

You want to play man? Now Bell comes out of the backfield and torches your LB for an easy reception. Heath now has all kinds of open space over the middle.

Having Bryant is just freaking large. He is the difference. Defensive coordinators now are having their 3rd best CB play man against Bryant, and a LB'er trying to cover Bell.

Both are freaking mismatches.

 

[sullysezso71]

Definately a trap game, Steelers have to keep that same intensity on defense, and run the football, still the recipe for success....

 

[steelbush]

Is it going to be Geno or Vick? Vick has always played well against a Dick LeBeau defense. I'm hoping for Geno because there isnt one thing that scares me about his game (or lack there off).

 

[FAB802]

I know it happens, but this team shouldn't get caught up in any trap game. If the players show up, the coaches on both sides of the ball stay aggressive, and we avoid turn overs the game should be over by half time. There is zero excuse for not throttling them. I don't believe anything said here has any bearing on the games either, I'm just not superstitious. We are flat out better, get it done this time.

 

[Wingman]

Well it seems my initial sentiments were echoed by Tunch on Steelers dot com. today. If the team is for real and they have come together to play as a team they could make a run. The defense is playing better if not for a special teams miscue the Ravens are not even an after thought. The rest of these games are huge with everyone this close. I would say st this point you can be playing for a first round bye if you win the rest of the games. We have two more till the bye and need to win them both. We are right now sitting with the same record as the Stains who will play the Bungles. If Cleveland drops one here we will be a game up on them and the gavens and have two more to hit the bungles with. Right now wining the division is big, getting a bye is even bigger and maybe needed to get the team healthy through the playoffs on on to another championship. There are only 7 games left, 13 and 3 or 12 and 4 could get us through to the championship, Home field through out the playoffs could be the little extra they need this year. If your going to play for something play for that.

 

[bigtwnvin]

I think the confidence level for younger players is rising. These next two games should be about winning, learning and enjoying playing football. The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Kansas City games will be hard challenges that will define this Steelers team as legit contenders or not.
So far in the last three weeks this team is moving forward. Here's hoping they lay about 60 points on sexy Rexy' s boys!

 

[steelerscotty]

J_e_t_s suck suck suck!

 

[Atlsteelers]

Jets do suck but so do the Bucs. I hope they don't let there guard down and crush them. I don't even want it to be close!

 

[black and gold apex]

We need to continue to play aggressive on both sides of the ball and not overlook the Jets. Lets not talk division as yet we still have the Bungals and the rest of schedule.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Keep showing film of Joe Greene's Greatest Hits each week.

 

[insaniti]

With the division being as tight as it is, it might be just enough incentive for these guys to not play down to their opponents. Knowing that any miss step could lead to another year of no playoffs.

 

[Steel G]

I won't be thinking playoffs until they get to 9 wins. Probably going to take at least 10 wins to get in this year. It's great the offense finally has figured some things out and I sure hope it continues. But this team still has soft spots on D and their special teams still stink. Plus, they still stink at clock management and the O had to stupidly burn two timeouts in the second half. Still lots of work to do.

 

[Drink IRON City]

This is a good place to show some MORE heart. If it is true to the core, it will be there. Couple weeks ago, I called out that they didn't have HEART, they've been proving me wrong. I hope it continues and the veteran leaders KEEP em thinking



Salute the nation

 

[GoSteelers]

they gotta play for 60 minutes this game and not fall into a trap game as some say on here!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

The Bungles are messing up the rankings with that tie.

 

[AggieSteel]

If we can figure out how to get up for the mediocre teams the way we get up for the good teams, then we can talk playoffs

 

[Litos]

let's go back to this conversation after the Bye. Right now the Steelers are an enigma, capable of beating and getting beat by literally anyone

 

[DBS1970]

I am still taking a wait and see attitude.

 

[Wingman]

If the browns beat the bungles they could be in a tie with us!