Need to beat NO

The Saints do not have a rotten defense. New Orleans has the league's best run defense and has given up fewer points and yards per game overall than the Steelers.

 

Yup Saints defense has been better

 

Yea the Steelers need either the Titans or the Colts to both lose this week which would put them both at 7 losses which is highly unlikely, or they need at least one of them to lose this week to either the Giants or Redskins at home, and then they need the team that loses out of the Colts and Titans this week to win the following week during their head to head meeting in Nashville. Now that’s assuming the Ravens win out and the Steelers lose in New Orleans this weekend and the Ravens win the AFC North. That is the Steelers only path to a wildcard is if both the Titans and Colts finish 9-7 and the Steelers finish 9-6-1, or they happen to tie and both finish 9-6-1 the Steelers would then own the tiebreaker over both the Colts and Titans at 9-6-1.

The bottom line here is this if the Ravens lose to the Chargers on Saturday night who are now still playing for the AFC West title and possibly a number 1 seed and home field in the playoffs, the Steelers would only need to beat either the Saints next week or the beat up Bengals here at home the final game to win the AFC North.

 

I’m feeling really good if chargers take care of business Saturday. Would be a non butt clenching game for me

 

The one thing in our favor going into the Saints game is that the strength of their opponents hasn’t been stellar. Their division is garbage. They did beat the Rams and Vikings though, as well as the Rats by one point at Baltimore.

 

The titans and colts play eachother this week so impossible for them both to lose. I see the colts taking it at home. Our best bet is the ravens losing to the chargers.

 

The Steelers have to win. And win. Can't afford another loss. Ending the season on a high note going into the post season. No room for error. Take care of business. Let it all hang out against Orleans. Balanced Offense and smothering Defense.

 

Where's Real Steel when you need him...

 

They’re 23rd rank defense in yards. They’re not good my guy.

 

No they don’t play each other this week they play each other the last week on December 30th. The Titans play the Redskins at home on Saturday and the Colts play the Giants at home this Sunday. So unless both lose this week one of them is guaranteed to finish 10-6 if one beats the other in Nashiville in week 17. If one loses this week and one wins the Steelers need the team that loses this week to win next week in Nashville so they both would finish 9-7 unless the game ends in a tie Incase the Steelers finish 9-6-1. The bottom line though again if the Ravens lose to the Chargers on Saturday night the wildcard becomes a moot point as long as the Steelers beat either the Saints next week or the Bengals the final week of the season they would win the division.

 

The Saints also play tonight in Carolina in a game the Panthers MUST win and then have to turn around and play the Steelers on a short week 5 days later. That won’t be an easy task for the Saints and hopefully maybe it’s something the Steelers can maybe take advantage of. The Steelers will give the Saints a good game on Sunday win or lose I don’t see the Saints going in there and blowing the Steelers out that won’t happen.

 

Actually, the Browns aren't eliminated, well they're not completed eliminated.

Here's what has to happen for Cle to catch the last WC:

- Cle must win its last 2 : vs Cin and Balt
- Balt must lose to LAC
- Both TN and Indy must lose next week, TN vs Was, Ind vs NYG
- Mia must lose once, either to Jax or Buf
- Now the good part: Indy and TN must TIE in Week 17!!

If either Indy or TN win that game, the winner will have 9 wins and Cle can only be 8-7-1.
But a tie, puts Indy ahead of TN based on Head to Head. Both Indy and Cle I'll have 6-5-1 Conf records, but Cle will win on common opponents.

A long, long shot. But hey, the winning PowerBall ticket could blow into your car window while your driving around town.

 

They give up fewer points per game than the Steelers. I'm not sure where you are getting your statistic, but I'm looking at a list that has the Saints 14th in the league in yards per game given up.

The Saints had a few stinkers early, but the defense is far from rotten.

 

The Browns aren’t going to make the playoffs. Their best chance was to win the division and that went down the toilet yesterday when the Steelers beat the Patriots. I still think the Colts are gonna get the 6 seed over the Ravens and finish 10-6 and the Ravens will finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs again.

 

The Ravens are 5 point underdogs to the Chargers
Steelers are 6 point underdogs to the Saints.
I think the Ravens lose and the Steelers win.
Last Thursday I posted the Steelers would beat the Pats and it would be a Christmas miracle.
I think the Steelers pull off another Christmas miracle this week and beat the Saints.

 

The Browns would of beat the Saints in New Orleans, had they had a kicker. No reason we can't beat them. Granted Chris Boswell 2017 not 2018 shows up of course.

I think the NFL is a very even playing field this year. I think everyone has vulnerability and weakness to their team. This is one year I don't see a clear cut favorite to win the Super Bowl.

It's possible that you could have a 13-3 #5 seed in the AFC this year. 13 wins and you won't even have a home playoff game at all.

 

I hope so, but I'm not sold on the Chargers - they have no HFA and if you look at their schedule, they really don't blow anyone out. The win in KC was impressive, but they got a ton of breaks in Pittsburgh, they haven't really beaten any great teams.

I have a feeling Baltimore will keep it close and it will be a 1 possession game late. Baltimore had KC beat so they can hang with LAC.

 

So if us and Baltimore win and lose this weekend respectively, we win the division?

 

Yeah - I corrected that statement later.

They better hope LAC beats the Ravens, because I think both Indy and Ten win in week 16 so the Steelers aren't getting a WC if they don't beat the Saints. The tie vs Cleveland is going to haunt them.

 

Correct

 

I think it really benefits the Steelers that Ravens and Chargers game is on a Saturday night. Both the Chargers and Ravens have a ton to play for. Steelers know by Sunday what is at stake either way.

 

Last time the Steelers beat the Saints in New Orleans it was 1990. By the score of 9-6.

I guess they could be due.

They have only once beaten a Drew Brees led Saints team and that was in 2006 at Heinz Field.

 

I remember '02 Steelers lost to Saints 32-29 at New Orleans. This was Maddox's first game as a starter after Stewart imploded the week before vs. Browns. Aaron Brooks was QB for the Saints for that game. Steelers went on to win 4 straight before the infamous Falcons tie game. This season and the '02 season have a lot of similarities. Winning streaks, losing streaks, tie game... inconsistent play.