Jug-or-not Offense

[Stosh-67]

Category: Football Myths
What is the Steelers offense for $200 Alex?

As painful as it has been to watch this offense the last half decade and then some, the Steelers offense has been getting better and better as the season gets deeper and deeper. The offense is evolving and has never been more in control and directive under Aaron Rodgers than it has been in the 2020's

The Steelers have scored at least 25 points in 8 of their last 10 games. Oh my! Playing to a 5-5 record.
They have scored 27 or more in 5 of their last 6, with a 4-2 record.

They only scored 27 or more a combined 9 times in 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons and have now done so in 5 of 6 games

Yes, it has been a Jeckly and Hyde, feast and famin at times. Clusterfuck if you will.
3 points, 68 total yards thru the first 28+ minutes of play on Sunday.
then 26 points and 413 yards in the next 30 minutes.

4 straight TD drives vs Dolphins on MNF* all long drives of 60, 71, 77 and 81 yard drives.
four drives, 37 plays, 290 yards, 4 TDs and only 1 penalty ( illgeal formation #88 )

300+ yards of offense in only 3 of the first 9 games.
300+ in 4 of the last 5 games.

It has alot to do with Aaron Rodgers and how he sees defenses, makes adjustments, moves guys around for protection, gets into the right run play, finds the open guy, uses the whole roster, etc. He has alot more say, alot more allowances, audibles than Fields, Wilson, Pickett, etc....ever had. Throw in the deep stares and Fbombs at the sidelines......and you too would let him take more control.

Its that smugness, that prickly, snarly grin and attitude.... as if he knows better and he knows something you don't.
And he does, since at at 42 years old, with 285 games under his belt, including playoffs....he does know a ton.

Targeted 10 different players vs Detroit, as 9 guys caught balls only failing to connect with Jonu.

Targeted 9 different players vs, Miami, as 8 guys caught balls.

Scored points on 5 of first 6 drives vs the Ravens the week before, to get up 27-16.
Targeted 10 different players ( 11 if you count the one he caught, lol ) as 8 guys caught balls.

Its not just AA.

The 2 headed RB tandom has been the best and most effective and most evenly distributed............... since?
Gainwell has been a pleasant suprise. Team MVP consideration? Leads the team in reception with 62. Warren is 3rd with 35.
Kenny is closing in on a 500/500 season.......which is almost like a 1000/1000 Christian McCaffrey-like season........in Pittsburgh Dog Years.
102-501 4.9 and 4 TDs 62-410 and 3 TDs rec.

Warren has stayed healthier than in years past.
Snap counts - 440 to Gainwells 422

Warren is having a fine season and may not even reach his high water snap count total from 2023 of 519 in 17 games.
Not alot of snaps for a RB. As Najee did not have less than 569 in each of his 4 years.......980, 763, 569, 569 ( less and less as Warren came on )

JW
185-828 4.5 and 6 TDs 35 for 300 and 2 more TDs receiving
Career highs in rushes, yards and TDs and could crack 1,000 yards

15 TDs combined from these two.

Both tuff MFrs.....

Its not just AA and the RB combo.

They finally started throwing to Mt Washington.
They finally started throwing over the middel....a little.
Thery are working Mooth back in.
They are starting to mix in more suprise plays.
Working different plays off their 10 vs. 11 version of the tush push.
There has to be more, very few pump fakes, very few double moves....
Will we see a RB pass? I am sure Tomlin will let little Hey throw a ball.

The OL has really kept penalties to a mimimum.
Not sure if these are correct.........but penaltiues.
Troy F - only 3 on the year, 1 holding
Zack - 2 / 2
MM- 1 false start, no holdings
IS - 0 penalties
SA 2 /1
Broderick - 1 holding.

Who would have guessed our starting LT and LG would be Cook and Spencer Anderson in week 15.
And who would have guessed Andrus Peat would come in at LG for 25-30 plays, so Anderson can jump back to his natural postion as jack of all trades, tackle eligible-FB-HB... fleet footed guy in motion. I can not read the number on his jersey when he starts moving.

This young combination of Cook, Anderson, Frazier, the seasoned McComick and 15 career start Troy, in basically his rookie season, played real well. They felt the momentum and energy of the ground game.
And that this group would pave the way for 230 yards on the ground, on the road.

The OL seems to be doing better with out BroJo?
How will Cook do vs Myles?

I speak of all this recent succes, fully prepared for a clusterfuck of an offensive showing vs Cleveland.

So what if DK is out. I expect a deep shot to Austin to let the defense know we still could hit deep. PA, max protect, give him time to run past defenders. I expect 9-10 different tarfets again. I can assume Roman Wilson may even get a hat and see a target. Or a new guy in Lazzard, who may be summoned by AA.

But expect another 25-28 point....good enough for a win performance out of the offense, even if DK is out and AA has to spread the ball around even more......while chuckling at a Myles Garrett drive by miss......I hope,

Merry Christmas.

[Deebo]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

[swissvale72]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

[Deebo]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

I've presented my theory, most importantly with evidence (and not feelings) about this phenomenon that is NHALS.
If you have EVIDENCE to the contrary, nothing is stopping you in an attempt to refute my theory.

[swissvale72]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

I've presented my theory, most importantly with evidence (and not feelings) about this phenomenon that is NHALS.
If you have EVIDENCE to the contrary, nothing is stopping you in an attempt to refute my theory.

What's your so-called "evidence."

[Stosh-67]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

Hence my disclaimer...lol

I speak of all this recent succes, fully prepared for a clusterfuck of an offensive showing vs Cleveland

[StillerDownSouth]

https://x.com/subBurgher/status/2002379 ... 86059?s=20

Good article from Depot breaking down TD rate for entire Steelers history, before Detroit game this version of the Steelers has the 3rd highest TD rate of any Steeler team, 1953 was number 1 and 2018 was number 2.

[TTP]

Good post. The offense, on the whole, has been better than expected. I mean, did anyone have them sitting at 11th in the NFL in points? Not me, that's for sure. And, they appear to be getting better. The offense is not great but good enough.

The defense, OTOH, has been a massive disappointment. Historic, if you will. If the defense was anywhere near its hype, the Steelers would be a contender in a suddenly wide open AFC.

[zeke5123]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

It has happened before....Those who fail to learn from history....

In the Lions game, it seemed like Arod was using his biggest advantage at this stage (i.e., his football IQ) to attack the weakness in the defense in the second half. You all may recall Claypool saying something to that effect after an Eagles game where the Steelers stymied until Ben just started designing routes to attack the weakness of the defense on the fly. Coaches got big mad after it since it embarrassed the coaching. And then, it only came out again when...trailing. If you remember, Ben in his final season was ass until the 4th Q when he became one of the best QBs in the league from a QB Rating perspective. Some of it was prevent, but a lot was Ben could call his own plays.

Same thing happened in the Browns playoff fiasco.

The one difference is Rodgers is enough of an asshole that, kind of like Peyton with Dungy, Rodgers might wave off Tomlin.

[swissvale72]

Nice breakdown and summary.

But you have to put this in context: during this offensive improvement, NHALS was very much in jeopardy. When that occurs, Tomlin throws out all the stops, including okaying to throw MOF.

But now that NHALS is secured, it'll be back to the U Shaped offense and getting ass raped in the 1st playoff game.

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

It has happened before....Those who fail to learn from history....

In the Lions game, it seemed like Arod was using his biggest advantage at this stage (i.e., his football IQ) to attack the weakness in the defense in the second half. You all may recall Claypool saying something to that effect after an Eagles game where the Steelers stymied until Ben just started designing routes to attack the weakness of the defense on the fly. Coaches got big mad after it since it embarrassed the coaching. And then, it only came out again when...trailing. If you remember, Ben in his final season was ass until the 4th Q when he became one of the best QBs in the league from a QB Rating perspective. Some of it was prevent, but a lot was Ben could call his own plays.

Same thing happened in the Browns playoff fiasco.

The one difference is Rodgers is enough of an asshole that, kind of like Peyton with Dungy, Rodgers might wave off Tomlin.

Wow, all of that is certainly true… See no relationship to the NHALS bullshit

[Deebo]

You wayyyyy overrate this NHALS bullshit.

Good post, Stosh

I've presented my theory, most importantly with evidence (and not feelings) about this phenomenon that is NHALS.
If you have EVIDENCE to the contrary, nothing is stopping you in an attempt to refute my theory.

What's your so-called "evidence."

Discussed this in the other thread, Swiss:
https://forumsnew.sportsandshit.com/vie ... 04#p860804

Then why are QB's being told they can't audible? Why are successful plays barely every seen again?

If you look at the Wins over the years in context, there is a discernable pattern:

- Winning early in the year with the defense making heroic stands and stops while the offense sputters.
-Mid season lull when the turnovers dry up and the offense looks anemic
-If NHALS is in jeopardy, you start seeing MOF being used and more schematics on defense. QB's are permitted to audible and the playbook opens up.
-Once NHALS is secured, the foot is taken off the pedal and they go back to being the mid level offense and defense that we saw during their losing streak
-1st round playoff is a blowout bc the other team knows they'll go back to being predictable just as Edelman and everyone else says

I mean just go back to last year and you'll see the same patterns. Look at the forest, not the trees

[swissvale72]

I've presented my theory, most importantly with evidence (and not feelings) about this phenomenon that is NHALS.
If you have EVIDENCE to the contrary, nothing is stopping you in an attempt to refute my theory.

What's your so-called "evidence."

Discussed this in the other thread, Swiss:
https://forumsnew.sportsandshit.com/vie ... 04#p860804

Then why are QB's being told they can't audible? Why are successful plays barely every seen again?

If you look at the Wins over the years in context, there is a discernable pattern:

- Winning early in the year with the defense making heroic stands and stops while the offense sputters.
-Mid season lull when the turnovers dry up and the offense looks anemic
-If NHALS is in jeopardy, you start seeing MOF being used and more schematics on defense. QB's are permitted to audible and the playbook opens up.
-Once NHALS is secured, the foot is taken off the pedal and they go back to being the mid level offense and defense that we saw during their losing streak
-1st round playoff is a blowout bc the other team knows they'll go back to being predictable just as Edelman and everyone else says

I mean just go back to last year and you'll see the same patterns. Look at the forest, not the trees

That's hardly "evidence," Deebo....just guesswork on your part and everyone else seemingly obsessed with this NHALS

[Deebo]

What's your so-called "evidence."

Discussed this in the other thread, Swiss:
https://forumsnew.sportsandshit.com/vie ... 04#p860804

Then why are QB's being told they can't audible? Why are successful plays barely every seen again?

If you look at the Wins over the years in context, there is a discernable pattern:

- Winning early in the year with the defense making heroic stands and stops while the offense sputters.
-Mid season lull when the turnovers dry up and the offense looks anemic
-If NHALS is in jeopardy, you start seeing MOF being used and more schematics on defense. QB's are permitted to audible and the playbook opens up.
-Once NHALS is secured, the foot is taken off the pedal and they go back to being the mid level offense and defense that we saw during their losing streak
-1st round playoff is a blowout bc the other team knows they'll go back to being predictable just as Edelman and everyone else says

I mean just go back to last year and you'll see the same patterns. Look at the forest, not the trees

That's hardly "evidence," Deebo....just guesswork on your part and everyone else seemingly obsessed with this NHALS

So patterns and objective facts aren't evidence?

[swissvale72]

Discussed this in the other thread, Swiss:
https://forumsnew.sportsandshit.com/vie ... 04#p860804

Then why are QB's being told they can't audible? Why are successful plays barely every seen again?

If you look at the Wins over the years in context, there is a discernable pattern:

- Winning early in the year with the defense making heroic stands and stops while the offense sputters.
-Mid season lull when the turnovers dry up and the offense looks anemic
-If NHALS is in jeopardy, you start seeing MOF being used and more schematics on defense. QB's are permitted to audible and the playbook opens up.
-Once NHALS is secured, the foot is taken off the pedal and they go back to being the mid level offense and defense that we saw during their losing streak
-1st round playoff is a blowout bc the other team knows they'll go back to being predictable just as Edelman and everyone else says

I mean just go back to last year and you'll see the same patterns. Look at the forest, not the trees

That's hardly "evidence," Deebo....just guesswork on your part and everyone else seemingly obsessed with this NHALS

So patterns and objective facts aren't evidence?

You're showing zero evidence re: relationship to this NHALS theory. Are you suggesting that Tomlin opens up the offense until he reaches 9 wins, and then, BECAUSE he's reached that threshold, he shuts it down again? I'm calling bullshit on that

[Deebo]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

[zeke5123]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

It isn't just that. It is within game as well. The whole point re Ben and 4th quarters was they knew the Q1-3 offense didnt work but the Q4 offense worked. What did they keep using until circumstances forced them to use the Q4 offense? Tomlin loves running his idiotic schemes until the game or the season forces him to be not an idiot. But once he isn't being forced, he returns to stupidity.

[Gonzo]

Tomlins tendency is to not take any risk until he absolutely must
To play slow attrition football until he cannot
And that happens in-game and game to game when he sees a game or winning season slipping away
He will always revert to no risk when he can

Once in playoffs it is a near guaranty he will start game one with no risk football.
He will keep playing it that way until he cannot
Opponents are better in the playoffs and will scheme unique to one game and change in game …. He will not

The Steelers IMO will falter as soon as they play a proper defense

[swissvale72]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

You have zero evidence that when Steelers reach 9 wins, Tomlin shuts down the offense, that he coaches differently once a non-losing season is assured

[CoolShades]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

This is exactly what happened when Rudolph won those last 3 games to secure NHALS. The offense opened up, the middle of the field was used, Pickens looked like a star. NHALS in jeopardy? Can’t have that!

And then, they took their usual beating in the playoffs. Because it was back to Tomlin-ball.

[Gonzo]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

You have zero evidence that when Steelers reach 9 wins, Tomlin shuts down the offense, that he coaches differently once a non-losing season is assured

He doesn’t ‘“shut down” the offense … he reverts to his mean
And his pattern of only taking risk when forced out of His plan and then returning to his plan is built over a decade or more

Cowher changed or was forced to change when he had a great QB
Tomlin tried to force that QB into his Plan
The difference IMO now is that Tomlin has a QB who is at the right age ND right skill set to play to the Plan.
We will see soon enough if they are willing to break tendency in the playoffs … I don’t think they will even if they get behind

[swissvale72]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

This is exactly what happened when Rudolph won those last 3 games to secure NHALS. The offense opened up, the middle of the field was used, Pickens looked like a star. NHALS in jeopardy? Can’t have that!

And then, they took their usual beating in the playoffs. Because it was back to Tomlin-ball.

Rudolph won the last 3 games to secure a playoff spot, not NHALS. If that was so, per my memory, 9 wins was assured after 2 of those wins

[swissvale72]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

You have zero evidence that when Steelers reach 9 wins, Tomlin shuts down the offense, that he coaches differently once a non-losing season is assured

He doesn’t ‘“shut down” the offense … he reverts to his mean
And his pattern of only taking risk when forced out of His plan and then returning to his plan is built over a decade or more

Cowher changed or was forced to change when he had a great QB
Tomlin tried to force that QB into his Plan
The difference IMO now is that Tomlin has a QB who is at the right age ND right skill set to play to the Plan.
We will see soon enough if they are willing to break tendency in the playoffs … I don’t think they will even if they get behind

And you think the nexus is reaching 9 wins. That the case, per my memory, Steelers had 9 wins going into cinci last year, and certainly didn't "revert to the mean or whatever." Not saying Tomlin doesn't do that, doesn't "ease into" games:...but ZERO to do with NHALS: that's a figment of all of your imaginations.

[CoolShades]

That's precisely my hypothesis and I last year is clear evidence of that pattern. Check out the year prior as well.

This is exactly what happened when Rudolph won those last 3 games to secure NHALS. The offense opened up, the middle of the field was used, Pickens looked like a star. NHALS in jeopardy? Can’t have that!

And then, they took their usual beating in the playoffs. Because it was back to Tomlin-ball.

Rudolph won the last 3 games to secure a playoff spot, not NHALS. If that was so, per my memory, 9 wins was assured after 2 of those wins

OK. I just checked. You are correct, and the point is actually strengthened. The two games to secure NHALS, the Steelers scored 34 and 30 pts.

Once NHALS was achieved, Tomlin turtled, the offense became stagnant and conservative and in the final game against Baltimore (and their second string), they scored 17 points.

Rudolph’s stats are also indicative of a different offensive philosophy:

In the first game, he was 17-27 for 290 yards
In the second game, he was 18-24 for 274 yards
In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

[swissvale72]

This is exactly what happened when Rudolph won those last 3 games to secure NHALS. The offense opened up, the middle of the field was used, Pickens looked like a star. NHALS in jeopardy? Can’t have that!

And then, they took their usual beating in the playoffs. Because it was back to Tomlin-ball.

Rudolph won the last 3 games to secure a playoff spot, not NHALS. If that was so, per my memory, 9 wins was assured after 2 of those wins

OK. I just checked. You are correct, and the point is actually strengthened. The two games to secure NHALS, the Steelers scored 34 and 30 pts.

Once NHALS was achieved, Tomlin turtled, the offense became stagnant and conservative and in the final game against Baltimore (and their second string), they scored 17 points.

Rudolph’s stats are also indicative of a different offensive philosophy:

In the first game, he was 17-27 for 290 yards
In the second game, he was 18-24 for 274 yards
In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

And you seriously think that their play selection against the ravens was premised on their already having won nine games?? Not a function of their opponent, poor field conditions, etc? Do you know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds??

[955876]

Do you know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds??

Do you know how ridiculous it is to purposely limit throwing to the middle of the field for huge stretches of a season?

It might not be intentional because NHALS season has been achieved.

A better explanation is that Jibbs is a lazy fuck who often runs the same stale and unimaginative game plans out there over and over.

[swissvale72]

Do you know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds??

Do you know how ridiculous it is to purposely limit throwing to the middle of the field for huge stretches of a season?

It might not be intentional because NHALS season has been achieved.

A better explanation is that Jibbs is a lazy fuck who often runs the same stale and unimaginative game plans out there over and over.

I'm not arguing THAT point, just this notion that offensive design and play selection is somehow tied to this NHALS

[CoolShades]

Rudolph won the last 3 games to secure a playoff spot, not NHALS. If that was so, per my memory, 9 wins was assured after 2 of those wins

OK. I just checked. You are correct, and the point is actually strengthened. The two games to secure NHALS, the Steelers scored 34 and 30 pts.

Once NHALS was achieved, Tomlin turtled, the offense became stagnant and conservative and in the final game against Baltimore (and their second string), they scored 17 points.

Rudolph’s stats are also indicative of a different offensive philosophy:

In the first game, he was 17-27 for 290 yards
In the second game, he was 18-24 for 274 yards
In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

And you seriously think that their play selection against the ravens was premised on their already having won nine games?? Not a function of their opponent, poor field conditions, etc? Do you know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds??

I think the man only finds his balls when NHALS is in jeopardy. When it’s in the bag, he goes back to his plodding, run-run-pass-punt, throw outside the numbers, throw short of the sticks, grind the clock, FGs-are-better-than-TDs, bullshit offense.

So yes, if the Steelers needed that Baltimore game for NHALS, I absolutely believe the offensive game plan would have been different.

I think it’s bizarre that you don’t.

[W&M_Steeler]

This is exactly what happened when Rudolph won those last 3 games to secure NHALS. The offense opened up, the middle of the field was used, Pickens looked like a star. NHALS in jeopardy? Can’t have that!

And then, they took their usual beating in the playoffs. Because it was back to Tomlin-ball.

In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

Right, but you have to remember that Swiss was super pumped by that win and telling us all how great it was and how it didn't matter that it was against the Ravens' back-ups and anything can happen in the playoffs etc. Different mindset.

This argument is pointless. Swiss has been a Steelers fan longer than I have been alive, and I don't begrudge him his optimism. It's exceedingly rare to see a Western PA native who's an optimist

The rest of us realists can see what's coming so we take no joy from the games. It sucks. Let's hope Swiss is right to be excited this year.

[zeke5123]

In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

Right, but you have to remember that Swiss was super pumped by that win and telling us all how great it was and how it didn't matter that it was against the Ravens' back-ups and anything can happen in the playoffs etc. Different mindset.

This argument is pointless. Swiss has been a Steelers fan longer than I have been alive, and I don't begrudge him his optimism. It's exceedingly rare to see a Western PA native who's an optimist

The rest of us realists can see what's coming so we take no joy from the games. It sucks. Let's hope Swiss is right to be excited this year.

The only thing that gives me some optimism is that Arod might tell Tomlin to fuck off in the playoffs.

[swissvale72]

In the last game, he was 18-20 for 152 yards One pass accounted for 71 yards, a 4th quarter, 15 yard slant pass to Dionte Johnson that went for a TD that broke a 7-7 tie. That means he was 17-19 for 81 yards without that play (4.7 yards/completion!). That’s dump off city.. that’s Tomlin playing turtle ball against Baltimore’s second string to squeak out a win.

Pathetic effort, especially considering Baltimore was resting their starters for the playoffs.

Right, but you have to remember that Swiss was super pumped by that win and telling us all how great it was and how it didn't matter that it was against the Ravens' back-ups and anything can happen in the playoffs etc. Different mindset.

This argument is pointless. Swiss has been a Steelers fan longer than I have been alive, and I don't begrudge him his optimism. It's exceedingly rare to see a Western PA native who's an optimist

The rest of us realists can see what's coming so we take no joy from the games. It sucks. Let's hope Swiss is right to be excited this year.

Let's remember a few details. Against those ravens back ups, the Steelers lost a top of his game TJ Watt, the injury and didn't have him for the playoff game in Buffalo. And then in that game, the Steelers had narrowed the margin to one score with almost a full quarter remaining, but we're unable to contain Josh Allen and the bills from scoring again so it wasn't quite like they're having been boat raced in another playoff games

Having said all that, I recognize Mike Tomlin's pension for being too fucking careful and easing into games… I'm hopeful at this point, though that the offense is an Aaron Rodgers, Arthur Smith creation… With Aaron being the true brains of the outfit and basically able to do what he wants, and then he prevails on Arthur Smith, the stop is fucking substitutions when Aaron is trying to get them to the line and snap the ball before players stopped the challenge a call. So yes, I'm going to be optimistic, with the difference this year being the guy under center