Battle Tested

[steelerchad]

Before the season alot was made of how tough the Steelers schedule was. Also noted was that the Patriots had the easiest schedule. Many said that was based on 07 records and that means nothing. Those people would be wrong as both have held up as the Steelers have the toughest with only the Colts close to as tough. And the Pats have the easiest by far.
This is a major reason why we should be fully prepared for a playoff run. We've played playoff competition and have had a number of games come down to the 4th quarter. This and the number 2 seed should give us a nice advantage going into the playoffs. As always, ball security will be the difference. If we don't turn the ball over we can and should beat any opponent we would face in the playoffs. Below is the strength of schedule for 08. %, Wins, Losses.

2008 Strength Of Schedule
Team Winning Percentage Opp. Total Wins Opp. Total Losses
Steelers .598 153 103
Colts .594 152 104
Jaguars .559 143 113
Vikings .551 141 115
Ravens .551 141 115
Titans .551 141 115
Bengals .547 140 116
Texans .547 140 116
Browns .547 140 116
Lions .543 139 117
Bears .531 136 120
Packers .531 136 120
Redskins .523 134 122
Cowboys .523 134 122
Eagles .520 133 123
Giants .520 133 123
Rams .488 125 131
49ers .484 124 132
Seahawks .477 122 134
Buccaneers .469 120 136
Falcons .469 120 136
Cardinals .465 119 137
Dolphins .465 119 137
Panthers .465 119 137
Jets .457 117 139
Chiefs .453 116 140
Bills .449 115 141
Saints .449 115 141
Broncos .445 114 142
Raiders .438 112 144
Chargers .422 108 148
Patriots .387 99 157

[TailgateMel]

nice stat. I was wondering how the "toughest schedule" held up...

[tyler289]

Not only did they have the toughest schedule, they played the best teams back-to-back-to-back-etc

Every week was a battle

[steelerchad]

One other thing related to the toughness of our schedule. Should the Pats, Ravens, Chargers, and Jets win on Sunday, the AFC playoff seeds would look like this.

1 Titans
2 Steelers
3 Patriots
4 Chargers
5 Colts
6 Ravens

We will have likely played 2 playoff teams in the NFC as well. Giants and Cowboys if they win Sunday.

We would have played every team in the AFC playoffs with a 4-2 record against them. The only 2 losses would be the Colts and Titans where we lost the turnover battle 3-0 and 4-0 respectively. Turnovers were the difference in both of those losses and the Giants loss as we had 4 turnovers to 0 in that game. The only game that we were soundly outplayed this year was Philly early in the season.

[Galax Steeler]

That would put the patriots playing the ravens that would be fun to watch cause you know one of them would have to get eliminated from the playoffs.

[HometownGal]

Thanks for posting that chart chad! :drink:

We really have been battle tested playing against teams that we may be facing in the playoffs at some point, and winning most of those matchups!

The playoffs can't get here soon enough for me! I'm praying all of our guys come out of the Clowns game healthy. :thumbsup:

[SteelCityKing]

One other thing related to the toughness of our schedule. Should the Pats, Ravens, Chargers, and Jets win on Sunday, the AFC playoff seeds would look like this.

1 Titans
2 Steelers
3 Patriots
4 Chargers
5 Colts
6 Ravens

We will have likely played 2 playoff teams in the NFC as well. Giants and Cowboys if they win Sunday.

We would have played every team in the AFC playoffs with a 4-2 record against them. The only 2 losses would be the Colts and Titans where we lost the turnover battle 3-0 and 4-0 respectively. Turnovers were the difference in both of those losses and the Giants loss as we had 4 turnovers to 0 in that game. The only game that we were soundly outplayed this year was Philly early in the season.

FINALLY, someone got it down pat. i cold NEVER figure this junk out to save my life. haha! -- i hate that whole "they control their own destiny" and "they need outside help" talk! now i got it a nice picture of who we might have a chance of facing. i'd like to play the Ravens again. =)

[SteelCityKing]

Battle Tested. Mother Approved. haha!

[BlastFurnace]

The Steelers went through Kramer's "Feats of Strength"...Festivus Style.