How to play the last game?

I like your style Scribe. Very interesting points and scenario. You're 100% correct - both Steelers and Pats are in exactly the same boat, only diff is that Pats with Brady know they can beat us at Heinz where the opposite has never materialized. I sure hope you weren't the muse that was given the premise back in '92: ".....and as Sid Bream rounds third..............." LOL.

 

Thank you.

And nah. I was just a college kid back then and I watched in stunned silence along with everybody else. Still blame Leyland for leaving Drabek in too long, though. The whole world could see he was out of gas in the eighth.

 

A good shot? Um.....no. But for the reason that Formerscribe described, the path of least second-guessing resistance would seem to be, 'play to win' with your best players (although if any player is marginal in terms of health, they ride the pine). That's why everyone punts on 4th and 1 as well, because you get the least amount of second-guessing.... That being said, a Landry-led Steelers at home could still beat the Browns. Just not sure how much chance we're willing to take....

 

I have no problem with this. I still expect the team to play to win, just as they did last year.

 

I picked the first option, but I wouldn’t actually do the scoreboard watching. For the Jets game to be meaningful, we need to win. So essentially it doesn’t matter what the score there is, just get the job done at our end.

Given the season it’s been, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few more twists yet to come.

 

It's the 2nd annual

Landry Jones Bowl vs the Browns.

Sponsored by: Primanti Brothers

 

NE has struggled as of late? Yeah, the lost in Miami a few weeks ago, but beside that, here's what they done the last 7 weeks:

Beat Buf by 21
Beat Pitt in Pitt, the only lose the Steelers have had in more than two months
Lose in Miami
Beat Buf in Buf by 20
Beat Mia by 18
Beat Oak by 24 in Mex City
Beat Den in Den by 25
During this time they've averaged more than 30 pts/game
Gee, it's not like they were winning all these games on last second FGs or something. If they've been struggling, it been struggling to be everybody by 3 TDs

 

So, this organization is perfectly content about possibly losing to the 0-15 Browns? Ugh....I hate this decision so much.

 

If the Patriots beat the Jets, I don't care what the Steelers do against the Browns. But we don't know that result and we won't know it in time for it to matter because both games start at the same time Sunday.

Tomlin loves to talk about not living in their fears, but that's exactly what he is doing if he sits Roethlisberger and Bell. He is throwing away the team's shot at the top seed out of fear. Sure, it's a very small chance, but it's possible.

People need to stop assuming the Steelers will win Sunday with Jones. He isn't good. The Steelers were very lucky to sneak by the Browns Week 16 last year. Cleveland has a decent defense, so assuming the Steelers will be fine with a lousy quarterback, third-string running back and no Antonio Brown is foolish. They will also be without Pouncey, who I agree should sit. He's actually hurt.

The other issue is the time off. This would mean two weeks with no game action for Roethlisberger and Bell. I know they are veterans, but that clearly sets the up to be at least a little rusty. Maybe it takes them a series or two to get it in gear in the divisional around. Just what the Steelers need, to have to rally after a bad start against the Jaguars. That worked out so well last time, right?

If the report is correct, it's a terrible decision by the Steelers.

 

Landry beat them last year, and that was when it really.. really didn't matter at all.
Now, Landry has something to play for. Probably not bad to get him a few game reps anyway.

 

It made sense last year because they didn't have a bye. The week off was a good thing for the starters. That isn't the case here.

 

The steelers always struggle after a bye week. I think to have 2 weeks off is too much. They will be rusty and take a while to get back in rhythm. I say play everyone at least a half, except maybe Bell.

 

looks like neither Hunt nor Gurley play, as least what they are saying. So, I bet Bell plays a little bit, just long enough to pass them,

Then of course it remains to be seen if their coaches change their minds by 4 pm and play them.

 

win the game because the j e t s jets jets jets are going to beat NE.

 

Honestly, I'm more worried about the guys who sit having too long between games than I am the very slim shot they have at the No. 1 seed.

My other concern is they might make Bell or Roethlisberger inactive, so they can't even change their minds if they are trailing at halftime and look up to the scoreboard to see the Jets leading.

 

With Bryce Petty at QB

 

sit em. I don't care about the record. it is gonna be sweeter to beat pats up there anyway. I do know it cost us last year not being healthy. so no need to get anyone hurt against a winless team

 

You're assuming they can get past the Jaguars with an offense that is completely out of rhythm after going three weeks between games. Given how good Jacksonville's defense is and how bad the Steelers looked against them, that seems to be a very bad assumption.

 

yeah that d of jax just got torched by the niners. I aint worried

 

They are not going to lose to the Browns.

Landry Jones isn't good but he is better than Kizer.

 

That Jacksonville dominated the Steelers the first time around. One stinker doesn't erase what has been a dominant defense all season.

 

Take away Brown, Bell, Roethlisberger, Heyward, Shazier and Pouncey and the Steelers really aren't much better than the Browns.

 

I’m making sure we are as healthy as possible. If the “top tier” starters play at all, it should be a series or two. I would hate to see someone get hurt in a meaningless game... there’s no sense risking those guys for the one in a million chance that Bryce Petty beats Tom Brady in a football game. You can’t rest everyone, but be smart about it. Heyward and Haden are our most important defensive players. Pull them early. Maybe yank JuJu, Pouncey, and DD early too?

Landry will probably throw for 300 yards and 3 tds anyways so it won’t even matter

 

Take away all those guys for a whole year and the Steelers probably only win 3 or 4 games.

That is still better than the Browns.

JuJu and Bryant are still going to cause problems for their secondary.