On the plus side...for people who don't want to mope around.

[steelfury02]

much like in XLV with Mendy's fumble (which was a great play by Matthews), the Raiders were extremely aggressive going for the ball all day. Even though we put 31 up on them, they played passionately with a nothing to lose attitude.

At least in the 2nd half, I saw almost every single defender going for the ball when tackling - and you know what, it was the difference in the game. We started to get something going, and they flat out stripped Brown again. If they hadn't, all we might have needed was another field goal.

Secondary has miles to go IMHO and the D-line better soak their heads in the shower reaaaaal good and sum up something from within - we need them to step it up if we are goin to do anything this season

[AndyWitmyer]

Originally Posted by LVSteelersfan

This is definitely Bizarro World football year. How can the Cards be 3-0 and beating teams like the Eagles and Patriots? With Kevin freakin Kolb at QB?Are you kidding me? All the high powered teams are losing. Only Atlanta is holding true to form it seems. I think a lot of it is the scab referees. They are letting stuff go big time and then the weirdest flags come in that should not be penalties.

I don't like saying this, because it sounds like a cop out - but assuming this lockout continues and these scab referees are here for the rest of the season - even if the Steelers would win the Super Bowl, I might be inclined to put an asterisk next to 2012 (the first I'd mark since the Patriots taping seasons). The penalties are so hit and miss and utterly bizarre that - if this continues - it would be difficult to view this season as being in any way credible. Regardless of how the Steelers fair, it just may well end up being one of those seasons. It's definitely been a turn off to me as a football fan so far.

[AndyWitmyer]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

much like in XLV with Mendy's fumble (which was a great play by Matthews), the Raiders were extremely aggressive going for the ball all day. Even though we put 31 up on them, they played passionately with a nothing to lose attitude.

At least in the 2nd half, I saw almost every single defender going for the ball when tackling - and you know what, it was the difference in the game. We started to get something going, and they flat out stripped Brown again. If they hadn't, all we might have needed was another field goal.

Secondary has miles to go IMHO and the D-line better soak their heads in the shower reaaaaal good and sum up something from within - we need them to step it up if we are goin to do anything this season

Well stated.

[sharkweek]

Originally Posted by Lord of Lombardi

Look at it this way. There are 2-3 Elite teams in the NFL and we are not one of them. We are a .500 team and 0-2 on the road. It is what it is. The best news in sports is that we do not suck as bad as the Pirates and we have not given up so pathetically. WR's lost this game. Yes D sucks but we can't keep fumbling as we see it catches up with us. Brown changed the momentum completely.

look at it this way, who are those 2-3 elite teams?

The Texans? Cardinals? Falcons?

Of those three I would really only consider the Texans and Falcons as a legitimate threat, however at the same time they don't exactly have the experience under their belt to know how to deal with the success (both have looked really good in past regular season only to fall really hard on their face)

At any rate, those are the only teams yet undefeated, with all of the traditional favorites having already had an embarrassing loss or 2.

This really seems to be a year of pretty high parity thus far.

[AndyWitmyer]

Originally Posted by sharkweek

This really seems to be a year of pretty high parity thus far.

Quoted for truth. It may look bad right now (ie the sky is falling, or whatever) - but there is no one that I would describe as being a clearly dominant team in the NFL right now. The Steelers have the luxury of losing a few nailbiters and not be out by a long shot. They have to get their act together, especially on D - but it's really a (suspiciously) wide open season so far.

[btaylor179]

we have no running game/thats gonna hurt us/WATCH

[steelfury02]

and if I was going to stick to the theme of this thread - I'd argue that parity for the other usual contenders usually bodes well for us

Ravens losing again would lessen the sting significantly at this point

[LVSteelersfan]

Originally Posted by btaylor179

we have no running game/thats gonna hurt us/WATCH

Wait until Mendy gets back. If we still suck, then I will officially say our running game sucks.

[steelerchad]

well on a positive note, we put up a lot of points on the road. We were missing numerous starters, including our 2 best players on D. Still no running game, but no Mendy either. That could get better when he returns. Line could improve as well when DeCastro returns.

More positives. Usually, best record doesn't take the Super Bowl. Here are the lastest SB champs regular season records. Better to be playing good in December and healthy than to be racking up wins early.
Just looking at the bright side.

Giants-9-7
Packers-10-6
Saints-13-3
Steelers-12-4
Giants-10-6
Colts-12-4
Steelers-11-5

So in recent history, the SB champ is just as likely to be 9-7 as 13-3, or just as likely to be 10-6 as 12-4. 11-5 would be the average record of these winners and no team in the last 7 years has won the SB with less than 3 losses. I think we're just trying to make sure we get to 3 losses and then we'll start playing.

[AndyWitmyer]

Originally Posted by steelerchad

well on a positive note, we put up a lot of points on the road. We were missing numerous starters, including our 2 best players on D. Still no running game, but no Mendy either. That could get better when he returns. Line could improve as well when DeCastro returns.

More positives. Usually, best record doesn't take the Super Bowl. Here are the lastest SB champs regular season records. Better to be playing good in December and healthy than to be racking up wins early.
Just looking at the bright side.

Giants-9-7
Packers-10-6
Saints-13-3
Steelers-12-4
Giants-10-6
Colts-12-4
Steelers-11-5

So in recent history, the SB champ is just as likely to be 9-7 as 13-3, or just as likely to be 10-6 as 12-4. 11-5 would be the average record of these winners and no team in the last 7 years has won the SB with less than 3 losses. I think we're just trying to make sure we get to 3 losses and then we'll start playing.

Exactly - I'd rather have the Steelers have a rocky start than a miserable finish. In this league, it's important to start momentum at the right time - you can have a perfect record going into the post season and lose in the playoffs. Again - I think it's important that the team finds and identifies its problems early and corrects them when it counts - it's not unreasonable to assume that the Steelers will correct their course before mid-season. But, it is the NFL - so - who knows! But thanks for sticking with the theme of the thread (you an steelfury)!