Playoff Hope

So, the Steelers have clinched a playoff spot. And we fortunate Steelers fans will be blessed with football in January (caveat: week 17 games on New Years Day).

With the post-season comes concerns based on what we have seen from the team, during the regular season. Will the team be healthy? Will the O-Line hold up? Will the starting linebacker core be ready? Will Troy be 100%? Will Willie Gay maintain what has been a solid regular season performance? Will the defense find a way to get off the field on 3rd down? Will the team find the intensity to make a solid SB run?

Now, I know I can be a very critical fan. However, when I look at all of professional football, this is what I see: The elite teams that stand out to me are the Packers, the Saints and the Patriots. These would be the only teams that I would think really stand a chance at defeating a focused Steelers team.

Let's really look at these "elite" teams.

Packers: Aaron Rodgers is "lights-out" this year. No denying it. But their defense is leaking like a sieve. Philip Rivers lit them up for like 38 points.

Patriots: Steelers handled them. Good offense. Questionable defense. The game wasn't as close as the score with Patriots scoring in garbage time IIRC.

Saints: I haven't watched much of them, this year... but from what I gather, they are no more dangerous than the Packers. Basically, control the Brees effect.

The Steelers have defeated the playoff hopeful Bengals. And one of those games was a 35-7 rout.

So, my answer to the above questions is "YES!"

How many times have we seen the Steelers with their backs against a wall, with questionable losses under their belt, and an O-Line that can't seem to block worth a crap, turn into the Super Steelers once prime time starts? SBs XL, XLIII and XLV, anyone?

I think the Steelers get their heads into dominant, winning football, over the next couple weeks. And I wouldn't be surprised to see them in SB XLVI.

There is an intagible asset that the Steelers maintain that is often overlooked by the media, and sometimes, by fans, also.

So, here's to the mistakes being behind the team, and focus, discipline and heart willing out.

HERE WE GO STEELERS!! HERE WE GO!!!!

 

for some reason i worry about the saints....but thats a long way away