My expectations for this season have been lowered

At the beginning of the season I was thinking this team could go to the Super Bowl, mostly based on the defense, but now that Bush and Dupree are injured the defense isn't the same. They lost a lot of speed with those two out, and now the offense is struggling, I'm not sure they can regain what they had earlier in the season.

 

I would not be shocked if the team makes it to the Conference Championship and gets smoked by Kansas City. Nevermind them, other teams in the Conference can give this team fits the same; Buffalo, Indianapolis and possibly even Cleveland (I said possibly here).




That unimaginable athleticism is now gone; a much easier time for opposing Offensive Coordinators to game plan for. Going to be tough sledding for certain. That said, the Defense holding onto games is the least of my concerns. As I said last season, any Defense playing over 60 snaps is asking for serious trouble. Our Defense has done that in the past two weeks now.




Offense has to do something at some point. Execution is a major problem. However, play calling is a storied issue that is LONG OVERDUE in need of correction; hopefully 2021.

 

On any given Sunday.

 

I don’t see this depleted team winning three playoff games and making it to the SuperBowl. If somebody takes out the Chiefs and they get home field advantage all the way through they may have an outside chance but only if there is massive improvements made on offence. I don’t see where these improvements are coming from quite honestly.

 

Welcome to the club. Once Bud got hurt that effectively ended any chance this team had by neutering an elite D. With that being said the way this offense is playing I’m not sure the injuries even matter. We look like crap and can only throw 3 yard hitches which surprisingly enough teams have figured out.

 

This team loses in the wild card game at this point. Too many injuries and the offense looks like last year lol.

 

Oh look , another thread saying how we are gona lose in the playoffs,,,.........WAS

 

All you can do now is make money my friend. Head to the casino and get in your play. Only team I wouldn’t feel 100 percent comfortable in betting on is Miami but I doubt they get in. They have to play Buffalo in week 17 and the Bills will probably be playing for seeding.

 

Damn injuries have kill many a seasons, not just for us but for every other team. Regardless what happens from here on out this goes down as a great regular season. I'm guessing 12-4 and that is a fantastic record to have in the NFL.

 

Tonight's game against the Bengals will tell us a lot. If they struggle against the 2-10-1 Bengals then this season is already over. Playoffs will simply be an embarrassment.

If they should lose to them then Tomlin should be replaced with an interim coach immediately. Both he and Fitchner will have already peaked. Don't even wait til the offseason.

 

perhaps running backs aren't a "dime a dozen" after all.

 

That's what I am worried about tonight.

 

Oh know you can't give up now, we still have Tomlin the genius , Ben the has been, and Fichtner the moron running the show. It ain't over til its over. Which was about 4 weeks ago not with only 3 games left. Way to really stick your neck out.

 

If we lose our last 3, We'll still be 11-5 and still be in the playoffs...It will still be another GREAT year right.. Isn't that what most in here say " Playoffs again, above .500, who in the Hell could you possibly replace him with crowd " ...........Right?

 

how many injuries can one team sustain? The playing of 3 games in 10 days hurt us a lot. I'm not making excuses but this team is decimated by injuries. We're left to sign guys off of practice squads. I'm not Tomlin fan. Not at all. I don't care about having never had a losing record. I care about winning in the playoffs. and he has failed miserably at that. But this year is not all on him. We failed to find a decent running back. I don't believe any running back we cut from our current squad would be signed to a starting unit in the NFL. Not one. We're deep at wide receiver but Ben is not playing well at all and our game plan on offense is predicated due to our complete lack of a running game. If we win tonight I wouldn't care if we rested every single starter that we could until we get to the playoffs. Connor, unfortunately the best running back we have is questionable. My expectations are to make the playoffs and do an early exit once again. I will be rooting like crazy for a different result but I have zero expectations of anything else. I think Ben will retire at the end of the year and then we will be in deep crap for years to come.

 

Partly agree. You're right that if they struggle the season is over. But, if they blow out a weak Cincy team with a 3rd string QB, I doubt I'll be impressed or reassured.

 

I agree with those who say this Bengals game will speak volumes. If the Steelers have a workman-like performance and win by 2-3+ scores, without giving up 3rd and longs on D... and offense establishing run and WRs catching passes, then OK. But, if Bengals keep it close and Steelers win in the last minutes or lose the game... then To Hell With It.

 

A lot of time it's not the best team that wins a Super Bowl , it's the one that is good, that can stay the healthiest.

There is a lot of really good times that with an injury or 2 they would be really hurting.

I think the Steelers the Bush lost hurt, the Dupree one hurt it even more.

But, hey lets go play the games and see what happens.

 

If we can get a couple of guys healthy before the playoffs, we can have a shot. I think there are teams that could take KC down a notch.

 

12 days

 

To think 37 drops and no running game has everyone giving up on the season ,not me friends!! I believe in miracles I have personally seen them come to pass. And I'm not giving up on this team until we our officially eliminated.. ..#keepyourheadup

 

ok 12 days

 

Again with this nonsense? It was three games in 12 days and pretty much every team does this every year nothing new.

 

When we wrap up the division tonight I’ll be getting my AFC North champs gear!

 

Did this include holidays?