Pivotal game

Sunday’s game against the Bengals is one of the most pivotal games in several seasons. If the Steelers could manage to win this game and sweep the defending AFC champs, hope this season would be immediately restored given the relative weakness of the second half schedule and the fact the defense is getting healthy again. If they lose, it’s lights out. I hope the boys come prepared to play with a gameplan for success on both sides of the ball. To say this is a big game is an understatement. This is THE big game of the season thus far! I’m predicting a season turnaround win on Sunday!

 

I don't think the Steelers are getting to the playoffs even if they do win Sunday. They were swept by the AFC East, which is going to make earning a wild card spot nearly impossible. They would have to win the AFC North. I just don't see the Ravens faltering that badly.

Winning still has value, but they might need to go 8-0 or 7-1 the rest of the way to make it. This team isn't good enough to pull that off, especially on offense.

If the defense had been healthy all year, they would likely have another win or two and the postseason would be a realistic goal.

 

Playoffs aren't a goal of mine. It's seeing progression of the run game and Pickett. Develop some sort of an identity and build upon that. Get some momentum for next season.

 

I actually stopped short of saying anything about the playoffs. One game at a time and getting progressively better, especially on offense, is about all I’m hoping for. Maybe we can play spoiler to the Ravens, Bengals and others.

 

Playoffs are a little tough to imagine.
8 games left, and a lighter schedule... I'm thinking 8-9 somewhere there about.

I'm more looking for tuning to next season.
I want to see Pickett keep improving and find players we want to keep going forward with.

 

But regardless of what happens, Canada’s still GOT TO GO!

 

I think so.
Unless his offense just lights it up all the way in.
Chances of that, well, the proverbial snowball in Hades probably has a better chance.

 

For me, I want to see Najee get at least 20 carries per game and Jalen with at least 10 carries per game. I don't care if it equals 30 carries for 60 yards. I just think that an identity is more important than wins or losses. The line should get better with those reps and that commitment, at least in theory. Gotta keep Kenny's reps to 25-30 attempts per game. It should be no coincidence that Kenny's best half was the 2nd half against the Saints when he attempted 12 throws.

 

You said it man....
I want to see the run game work at least like it did last game, even better.

Did you watch Washington just run the ball down Phillys throat?

 

My work schedule really prevents me from watching football outside of Pitt and Steelers games. I do see statlines and I say 1995 football still works in modern football: see Tennessee.

 

Then on back to back days, Eagles sign Linval Joseph and Suh.

 

Agree that this offense should be run heavy. Tomlin and Canada aren’t doing Pickett any favors when the defense can pin its ears back and rush the passer with little regard for the run. In Bradshaw’s rookie year, he averaged 16 passes per game, Ben averaged 21. Kenny Pickett? 32!

 

Since Pickett has become the starter, the team has been playing from behind the majority of the time, they led in most of the Saints game and Pickett's pass attempts were down.

 

Really anything can happen. No matter what everyone else thinks. 8 games left. The majority of the league has only played 1 game past the halfway mark. So that means what ever good was done in the 1st half of the season by some teams can change to bad, and vice-versa. Not saying it will , but it can.
When everyone says We will have to do this , or that......they are acting like everyone else will stay on the same course, and as every year ....We see.....that is not true.
I mean as example.....I can't tell You how many Ravens fans have told me about last year....Well for the 1st half of the season We led the NFL, and Lamar was a MVP candidate.....Well by the end of the season.....He didn't win a MVP, and they came in last in the division......So yes anything can still happen.

 

LoL

 

Anything can happen, but I hope it doesn't lol. The Steelers were 11-0..them something happened..not good. Just for numbers sake..take the top 6 and bottom 6 teams in the league..the other 20 are not that far apart. You hit a stride and make a run, you hit a slide and things fall apart.

We have been in that pack now a few years. It's nice to win, but honestly I just want growth. To see all phases start to gel and something to build on. 5 of or 9 games were a TD or less, 4 we lost. We are not statistically that good..yet with a few point could be at 7 wins right now. I'm just looking for consistent growth to get in that top 6 and more. Mediocre is not fun lol

 

We are a 3-6 team, beating a 3-6 team , now a 3-7 team doesnt correct anything. This is not a playoff team, we will most likely win 3 more games all year and finish 6-11 or thereabout. Truth is, we have way too many subpar players at key positions. ( see OL, ILB, Safety )

 

I will always be optimistically hoping Steelers make the playoffs. I certainly will cheer for them to win every single game as long as they are not officially eliminated from the playoff race.

I do not like Tomlin (haven't since very early days) and I hope they change him, but I still want the team to make the playoff every single year.

 

I actually think Safety play has been solid this year. Outside corner play has been much worse. MLB CB OL and a Rookie QB are the biggest issues on this team. Have to hope the QB can improve over time. Dionte and Najee have also been very disappointing.

 

Agree. You and me both are on the same page. But I caution you about saying anything negative about Tomlin. Expect several posts or dislikes or disagrees icons from the censor police on this board. Its verboten here according to them, and only them. JMO>

 

Agree. However, some positions impact others. For instance, your' hoping Dionte and Najee get better as well as KP. I look at it as when KP gets better, so will these other two. Kind of like bringing in Mikah and the defense all of a sudden is reborn. The question is, how long till KP gets to where he needs to be so this chain effect materializes? JMO>

 

Yeah, but you have to be careful here. It starts to sound hypocritical if people complain about those complaining about complaints of Tomlin, labeling their detractors as censor police, hall monitors, etc.

If it's an open forum, opinions of opinions (including where and how often they're placed) do get to exist.

 

Uhh..hehe...uhh....cool.....uhh... and stuff....hehe