How far off are we from being SB contenders?

Just as the question poses. Is it a matter of rebuilding the defense entirely?

 

Until they are mathematically eliminated.
But, Defense better step up or that can be before December!

 

2 drafts '19 & '20, free agent acquisitions... so 2 years minimum. Unless Thomas, Adeniyi and Sutton suddenly become pro-bowl caliber players... highly unlikely.

 

I honestly don't know where this defense is right now. I think KC is just rolling offensively right now, which may or may not continue, but seeing what they've done over the course of 3 weeks makes me wonder how much of last week was because our D is THAT bad and how much is because KC is just lighting it up right now. Tonight is going to tell us a lot about this team on both sides of the ball. Rarely is a week 3 game a MUST win, but I believe for this year to have a chance at ending successfully, they need a W tonight. Going into next week's game vs the Rats at 0-2-1 would be terrible.

 

Agree on the last part...

 

Unfortunately, chances are good this will happen. The defense will continue to struggle against high scoring offenses and the offense will continue to turtle for 1-1/2 quarter before it starts to score.

 

With a miraculous turnaround on D. We would be right there. You just can't expect this O to carry us for the whole season especially on the road. You know the old saying that defense travels....Tonight is the biggest step for the D. Hope fits forward and not back....

 

Realistically, 5-7 years away. Defense needs a total overhaul and a new QB not named Ben will be leading the team. We need to stop busting on first round defensive picks for a good 3-4 drafts in a row to get back to having an average defense.

 

No where near sb with this defense

 

We are a legit Super Bowl contender RIGHT NOW! KC is lighting everyone up right now. Can't believe how everyone has thrown in the towel after 1 frigging loss and 1 tie in a downpour. We may finish 13-2-1 for all anybody knows.

 

The only statistic that is undeniable is that the Steelers are 7 years removed from a SB appearance and 9 years from a SB win. Everything else is merely conjecture.

 

IIRC a 9-7 team won the Superbowl in 2012........

 

Need a new head coach first. Unless you think this undisciplined bunch, with massive holes on D, can win despite Tomlin.

 

Judging by the first two games we are about a distance of Voyager 1 which is approximately 11.7 billion miles from Earth.

 

That's pretty far away.

 

Unfortunately, I think our defense is just way too far off to compete.

Having a veteran Safety holding the secondary down is key in my eyes, Ryan Clark did it, and Mike Mitchell was able to do it too.... They got everyone is position to make plays.

This defense really needs a a MLB that can cover a lot of ground very quickly, and we don't have that either. How long is it going to take to develop guys like that... could be 3-4 years...

...probably longer than Ben's got. I think that year we lost to Denver was our best shot...

 

closer than you think... Madden is on sale right now I believe

 

There are no dominant teams in the AFC right now. So realistically, the defense only has to be good, not great, for this team to have a shot at the Superbowl. Having said that, at this point, the defense is a far cry from being good. Can they improve enough in time to make the playoffs? Given our tough schedule, lack of playmakers, and a lack of improvement from last year to now, I doubt it.
I sure hope I am wrong.

 

Defense wins Championships.

 

So is the Vikings season over too? I mean they just got manhandled by the Bills at home. The Bills suck right? Im pretty sure they have a tie mixed in there too. Should the Vikings rebuild? FIRE MIKE ZIMMER!!! How about the Packers? Got mudstomped by the Redskins. Guess what they also have a tie. Bench Aaron Rodgers. Let's see what Kizer can do. Might as well seasons over.

We have played 2 games and lost 1, and some of you are talking about rebuilding.

 

If we had Shazier, we would be there.

 

End zone seats?