Steelers Chances of Winning

The two most troubling outcomes of the last 2 games are Ben's picks and time of possession. If those don't get turned around, they're probably one and down. If they turn that around for each game, they can go all the way...

 

Yes. Research done, here is what has happened.

5 teams have made it to the Super Bowl after losing their last 2 regular season games, in fact one lost their last 3 games.

2 of the 5 teams won the Super Bowl.

the teams are

1967- Green Bay, lost last 2, won SB II
1972- Washington, lost last 2, lost SB VII
2004- Philadelphia, lost last 2, lost SB XXXIX
2009- New Orleans- lost last 3, won SB XLIV
2009- Indianapolis, lost last 2, lost SB XLIV

Both of those teams in 2009 were undefeated before they lost their last games.

 

So it's probably definitely better to "go in hot".

 

yes. But there are also a number of teams have gone into the playoffs having lost two of three or three of four...and gone to the Super Bowl.

 

We have beaten the Bengals and Denver, and almost beat KC... however it wasn't always the #1 qb we were facing.

I think we can win a game or two... the team will need to dig deep to go further.

 

I think we would have beaten KC if Ben had been playing. I don't think they would have been able to score with us.

 

As I've said before, if we show up without our heads in our collective arses (everyone included, MT to Ben to the waterboy) then we're lethal.

Bottom line now is the next 2 opponents we've already faced in the past month, so there's no excuse for not coming up with a well-informed gameplan.

 

I think we need DeAngelo back there. I don't think they're gonna take Toussaint or Todman seriously.
Our offense and defense has to play good at the same time. In the NFL, you wouldn't think that would be too difficult. But we make it difficult. Towards the end of the game, Ben made some pretty good throws. (The throws I saw were good anyway. I was watching the Jets/Bills score at the bottom of the screen a lot.) Ben needs to CALM DOWN & get in a rhythm- and throw to Wheaton, DHB, Miller, & whoever's in at RB lot more. I'd LOVE to see us going for the first down more on 3rd & short yardage situations. But I don't see that happening. Ben CANNOT turn the ball over. He just can't. Is it me- or has Ben gained a lot of weight?
The defense. They NEED to play (as Cowher used to say) PHYSICAL. No 5-6 yards of separation. These teams are beating us on time of possession. We can't score if we never have the ball. If Blake plays, we're done. They'll expose his weakness the whole game. The rest of these guys need to wrap up these guys. I'm so tired of seeing these missed tackles. Obviously we need to force a couple turnovers. The D-line needs to get some pressure on the QB. Even if they don't get sacks, they need to get close enough to hurry the QB.
This is a lot & I now I missed a few things. I just don't know if we'll be able to do any of these things. But I do know that Ben has played bad for 2 games. It's time for him to have a good game. If he does, and he gets that confidence again, we'll go far.

 

I think we play Ventrone, Golden. Boykin, Gay Cockrell, throw in some Grant. Also mix Mitchel and Allen who are both big lately. Just wish I could take a baseball bat upside Mitchels head, when he makes a 3rd down stop then gets a 15 yard taunting call. Find a way to Duct tape Blake to the shi**er so he can't give up a big play too
Spence is also playing big, all LB's are really

 

I think if we can't get some sort of running game going it will tough sledding
from here on out. It will open up the our passing options,and time of posession helps
our defense.

 

Time to pull out the 4 and 5 WR packages ..Time to go to the no huddle. Use the WR screen game as our run game, use the speed of DHB and Bryant to force Teams to shade and bracket them .. Get Brown/Wheaton and Miller the ball quickly underneath...

 

I agree with OP suggesting we must have DW or a running game to go the distance. Without a running game the offense will be too predictable. Our chances of doing well will hinge on Ben and his ability to make good decisions and limit the turnovers. I really do not believe for a moment he will be able to not turn it over which is why I said " limit turnovers"

DHB is not the answer and MB needs to step up his game. Would be nice to have MB back and in rhythm with Ben.

 

It has nothing to do with being supportive. I've watched every play this year and this team has some serious flaws. We turn the ball over 3 times against just about any other team and we aren't even in the playoffs. If we do it in the playoffs we are one and done yet once again. That's just the cold hard truth

 

Yep. The big difference in our last wild card game without Bell was the pass blocking and short routes he provided. This year, Deangelo has blocked like a beast, and been open for dump off passes. I've yet to see that from Todman or Toussaint, but then they haven't been asked to too much.

If they go straight for all out passing - which they've done before - then the defense needs to be on top form, because, as you say, there will be turnovers. Plus, Wheaton needs to eb running the right routes. He's made a steady improvement the second half of this season, and when Ben stops fixating on AB he could be the key to a win.

 

I agree, especially if Williams can't go. No point in messing around, just feed the beast (Ben) and see if he can carry us. Almost all of our practice time should be spent honing the passing game, working on our hot reads and checkdowns, because Cincy will be bringing the heat.

If our passing game has no answer to Cincy's pressure packages, then it'll be a repeat of last year vs Baltimore. They won't fall for any attempt we have to establish the run if Williams is gone.

 

Exactly what I am saying no need to waste downs trying to run, I would rather AB/Bryant/DHB catch a screen any of them could break a big one . The same reason I want them to use DHB, it forces them to bracket him if not he will get open deep.If that happens 4 or 5 times a game there is a great chance for 2 or 3 Splash plays ...Heck 1 might be the difference either in the WR screen game or the deep ball game ...

Make the Teams defend the Steelers from sideline to sideline and from los to the end zone on each and every play ....We have to much speed at WR to waste downs on a so,so RB . As me and you agree just don't do it ...

 

Stop forcing it to Brown. MB needs to put glue on his hands and wheaton/miller can take us to 7.

 

Our chances of winning the next three games are good if:

1. Ben plays smart and limits the turnovers. Steps into his throws.

2. Haley does not call plays with formations that show what their going to do.

3. Somebody kidnaps Blake.

4. Middle linebackers show up to stop the run.

5. Blitz often on passing downs with corners or safeties,

6. Tomlin with not having to make any gut decisions on field goals, or time management decisions.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams left the stadium Sunday in a protective walking boot, but will the keep him out of Saturday's tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals?

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday on NFL HQthat Williams suffered a sprained ankle, but could still attempt to play.

"(The injury) might be the kind of thing that would keep him out a couple games in the regular season, but as we know, this is not the regular season, so do not assume DeAngelo Williams will be out this week," Rapoport said.

Fitzgerald Toussaint would take over the main role if Williams can't go Wild Card Weekend. Toussaint ran 12 times for 24 yards in Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. Jordan Todman would also play a bigger role if Williams can't play in the postseason.

 

That is very good news if he can go but a sprained ankle depending on the severity could certainly affect his play.

 

I hope is not high Ankle sprain. I also hope if he does go he is right and not the hurt DW . I have watched him run his entire career and when he is banged up he is not very effective .His ability to make guys miss in the hole and his ability to jump cut and accelerate quickly is what makes him effective ...

 

A lot of good points here. I'd say # 2 (where's the Play Action? Ben? Haley? Buehler?) #4 but applied to tackling across the board and #6 which has been beaten to death but bears repeating.