Looking ahead....

Steelers are red hot right now and looking better with each passing week. Health has played a major role in why they have been on such an upswing and knock on wood, it continues.

My main concern though, as is probably common amongst steeler fans, can they continue to play good defense against another elite offense? Ala Saints, Patriots, Chargers? Hilton has stepped up in a big way, and Edmunds and Davis along with Burnett seem to have really shored up a once dismal deep secondary. Haden is playing like a true shutdown corner as well(hope they keep Joe) Now, are they going to or do I expect them to shutdown these teams? No, but have they made enough adjustments and able to make the stops to play "winning" defense against above teams? I hope so but time will tell.

This offense right now is primed and hitting on all cylinders! So many weapons that it's almost unfair at times! They are no doubt a Super Bowl calliber offense. The question still is, and remains, can the defense play good enough when it matters. It's no doubt the Achilles of this team and their Super Bowl chances.

 

Let’s beat Jax lol. SB aspirations come to a halt if we lose.

Very important game this Sunday

 

Pretty sure the Steelers were a projected Super Bowl contender heading into the year and I think anything short of a Lombardi this year will be viewed as a disappointment. This is a big game, they all are, I was just curious as to other's opinions on if this defense and secondary capable of beating elite offenses when it counts most.

 

Why speculate? The upcoming schedule is going to provide us with ample evidence either way during the regular season. The Chargers, Patriots and Saints all have elite offenses.

If the Steelers' defense can get healthy, which it isn't right now with Tuitt sidelined, they can at least slow down a top offense enough to have a shot against those teams. Health is a big question mark with this team. Tuitt is hurt now and has had trouble staying on the field. That was also the biggest knock on the team's two big free agent additions, Bostic and Burnett. If all of those guys are healthy, the pass rush gives the Steelers a shot to get a few stops and perhaps a turnover or two against an elite offense. That doesn't mean they will be winning a game like that by themselves, but perhaps doing enough to give the offense a chance to win it.

 

Don't you know it is against the law as a Steeler fan to look ahead? You are supposed to be worrying about how we were lucky in our last win!

 

Well, the Steeler did have a couple of ****ty calls go their way, so....

 

So we know how it feels to be NE for a week. Calls going our way and only one penalty. See how easy it is...

 

News to me! I'm as excited as the next guy but it would be pretty blatant to overlook the fact that the Steelers still have a subpar secondary until they are able to prove otherwise on a consistent basis, in big games. Simple as that.

 

They are 4th in yards attempt, 11th in percentage allowed,19th in ypg and 21 in rating. Not great but with our pass rush and offense it’s good enough.

 

I am looking ahead...to crushing the Jagoffs

 

I guess we will know for sure in a month or so

 

I agree but I'm more concerned that even if healthy can this secondary make the plays and stops necessary to win those games in a shootout? Even with a good pass rush we all know what Brady and Brees are going to do, quick 3 step drop and balls gone. Quick throws, pump fakes and double moves. I'm still weary about this secondary.

 

Haden, Hilton, Davis, Burnett, and others... Edmunds, Dangerfield (after goal line stop against Carolina), are not subpar ... Sensabaugh, Burns, Sutton is the goup that is currently being monitored... still some opportunities to shine in the next couple of weeks

 

Subpar until otherwise proven

 

Health and a secondary that can make big stops when needed

 

Its going to be interesting to see how we matchup with Saints, Pat's and Chargers

 

We are one cornerback away from having a pretty solid secondary. I still think good QBs will pick apart Sensabaugh and V Williams in pass coverage

 

I agree Sensabaugh is serviceable but not the answer and we will see how bad he is vs good QB's. I am wondering what the deal is with Sutton, I had hoped once Artie was benched we would see more of him.

 

I completely agree, which is what worries me the most. The last 2 years we have been in this very similar boat, sailing at ease and then a top tier QB with a top tier offense comes along and sinks the ship and exploits our "still" subpar secondary

 

I am wondering the same thing! Thought we would have seen a bigger dose of Sutton

 

We saw Sutton and he didn’t fare well.

 

Well I know that I was just thinking we would have seen him sprinkled in after the fact. Hopefully it's easier to right his ship than it is Artie B.