Steelers at 5-4: remaining outlook

[TimmayLake]

Bengals L (Chase gets 20 catches again)
Bears L (Bears are actually hot again)
Bills L
Ravens L (Lamar is back in MVP form)
Dolphins L (they actually beat the Bills badly yesterday)
Lions L (blowout)
Browns W (they suck)
Ravens L (this game will decide the AFCN for the Ravens)

Final record: 6-11

[.Kodiak]

They'll beat CIN and CLE, and one of the BAL games. With MIA, that's 9-8 baby!!!!!

Ravens win the division and no playoffs for PIT. But PIT will sit alone with the longest streak of non-losing seasons in NFL history! So there's that.

[TimmayLake]

They'll beat CIN and CLE, and one of the BAL games. With MIA, that's 9-8 baby!!!!!

Ravens win the division and no playoffs for PIT. But PIT will sit alone with the longest streak of non-losing seasons in NFL history! So there's that.

What makes you think they can defend the Bengals receivers this time around? I expect Chase to get 25 targets and catch 20 balls.

[tbsteel]

Bengals L (Chase gets 20 catches again)
Bears L (Bears are actually hot again)
Bills L
Ravens L (Lamar is back in MVP form)
Dolphins L (they actually beat the Bills badly yesterday)
Lions L (blowout)
Browns W (they suck)
Ravens L (this game will decide the AFCN for the Ravens)

Final record: 6-11

[tbsteel]

My realistic prediction:

vs. Bengals - W (an ugly ass game with multiple turnovers by each team)
@ Bears - L (we never play well in Chicago and we'll make Caleb look like Steve Young)
vs. Bills - L
@ Ravens - L (this is the year Lamar finally busts out against us and plays loose and aggressive)
vs. Dolphins - W
@ Lions - L
@ Browns - W
vs. Ravens - L

8-9.

[TimmayLake]

My realistic prediction:

vs. Bengals - W (an ugly ass game with multiple turnovers by each team)
@ Bears - L (we never play well in Chicago and we'll make Caleb look like Steve Young)
vs. Bills - L
@ Ravens - L (this is the year Lamar finally busts out against us and plays loose and aggressive)
vs. Dolphins - W
@ Lions - L
@ Browns - W
vs. Ravens - L

8-9.

This is reasonable however nothing has changed to make me think we can stop Juggernaut Flacco and his receivers this time around. If anything we've lost a lot of secondary depth due to injury since the last time they played.

[.Kodiak]

What makes you think they can defend the Bengals receivers this time around? I expect Chase to get 25 targets and catch 20 balls.

1st CIN game they were playing to save their season. The elastic has snapped and CIN will be sleepwalking its way to a high draft pick.

There's 5-6 winnable games left on that schedule. Do we really think Tomlin doesn't find a way to win 4 of them? They'll be +2 in about half their remaining games, and they usually win those. 9-8 looks virtually set in stone.

[langer]

Joe can be schizo, one second Joe Montana and the next the Joe Flacco we all know.

The Fins are better at home. McDaniel likes wearing sandals.

They did stomp the Bills, maybe that was preordained or the Bills were out partying.

The Bears looked great, hardnosed football team. Williams is a load who can run. Very Ben-like.

Here's hoping to a losing streak to finish off the season. Coach T deserves it.

[sinceiwas4]

My realistic prediction:

vs. Bengals - W (an ugly ass game with multiple turnovers by each team)
@ Bears - L (we never play well in Chicago and we'll make Caleb look like Steve Young)
vs. Bills - L
@ Ravens - L (this is the year Lamar finally busts out against us and plays loose and aggressive)
vs. Dolphins - W
@ Lions - L
@ Browns - W
vs. Ravens - L

8-9.

i dont doubt any of this but if it comes down to the 2nd ravens game like in ur scenario, the team will totally rise up to save their buddys nhals stat. its happened before it will again. now will it come down to that or will it already be lost by then? idk but if 8-8 going into that week? its a W.

[TimmayLake]

Flacco this year as the Bengals QB in 4 games so far:

64.7% completion; 1254 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 rushing TD

No signs of being schizo so far. Those are Pro Bowl level numbers over those games

[lifelongsteel]

There's a philosophy held by many that says "the most interesting outcome is the most likely".

With the Steelers the exact opposite is true. We all know exactly what is going to happen. There is a near 100% chance that the Steelers will be in the playoff "picture" until at least week 17. They will win 9-10 games.

NHALS gravity will claim another season. It may come in the form of a Lamar Jackson injury. Or another 5 TO game by an opponent. But it's coming. Better to be prepared.

Also, they aren't losing to the Bengals at home. If you think they are you haven't been paying attention. I expect a dominant performance on the ground. Flacco sacked 6 times with 3 int. Lots of sideline shots of Danny Smith chewing gum. (FWIW - can you imagine being best known for chewing a lot of gum?)

[.Kodiak]

Lots of sideline shots of Danny Smith chewing gum. (FWIW - can you imagine being best known for chewing a lot of gum?)

I remember all of us, for years, complaining that Danny Smith still had a job. But the last 4-5 years our ST units have quietly been among the best in the league. Well, kicking and coverage any way. We still haven't been able to find a legit return threat.

[K_C_]

My realistic prediction:

vs. Bengals - W (an ugly ass game with multiple turnovers by each team)
@ Bears - L (we never play well in Chicago and we'll make Caleb look like Steve Young)
vs. Bills - L
@ Ravens - L (this is the year Lamar finally busts out against us and plays loose and aggressive)
vs. Dolphins - W
@ Lions - L
@ Browns - W
vs. Ravens - L

8-9.

This is reasonable however nothing has changed to make me think we can stop Juggernaut Flacco and his receivers this time around. If anything we've lost a lot of secondary depth due to injury since the last time they played.

I think James Pierre might actually be a pretty significant upgrade over Slay.

Cory Trice….that motherfucker is the biggest fucking China doll in history.

He seriously has Pro Bowl level tools (if he could stay on the field he’d be our best corner.) How is he not healthy by now.

[Ice]

Not having over the hill CBs manning up against maybe the best WR duo in the NFL would be a start. Actually adjusting that strategy at halftime (or sooner, but I'm a realist) would also help.

[Deebo]

Also, they aren't losing to the Bengals at home. If you think they are you haven't been paying attention. I expect a dominant performance on the ground. Flacco sacked 6 times with 3 int. Lots of sideline shots of Danny Smith chewing gum. (FWIW - can you imagine being best known for chewing a lot of gum?)

Bazooka Joe could have a new spokesperson!

[Deebo]

Lots of sideline shots of Danny Smith chewing gum. (FWIW - can you imagine being best known for chewing a lot of gum?)

I remember all of us, for years, complaining that Danny Smith still had a job. But the last 4-5 years our ST units have quietly been among the best in the league. Well, kicking and coverage any way. We still haven't been able to find a legit return threat.

Uh that's a Tomlin mandate. He wants offensive sure handed guys returning kicks, even if they are slow as fuck.

Looking at you Isaac Redmond and Davenport.

[.Kodiak]

Uh that's a Tomlin mandate. He wants offensive sure handed guys returning kicks, even if they are slow as fuck.

Looking at you Isaac Redmond and Davenport.

True, but they've also tried a bunch of options, even drafting guys like Dri Archer and others I forget. And remember when we featured that slow, small white dude from NE for like 2 season?!?

But it's also pretty clear Tomlin doesn't value returns all that much. Like you said, he's willing to give up the occasional long return just to not fumble once or twice a season. Unfortunately for us, as well have all known for a long time, Tomlin's gut isn't capable of basic probabilities.

[Stillerz Bar]

These are the truths about the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last ten + years

- They will be unprepared on Thursday nights and abysmal if it's a road division game.

- They will be unprepared for any game on the west coast and embarrassing if the game is in prime time.

- Tomlin's team will find a path to NHALS and it will be in a way that still manages to surprise us. They could start hot and back into it, start 0-4 and win like crazy late, have Ben in his prime or a Duck / Mason combo. They'll lose winnable games and win games they have no business not getting blown out. This year they beaten the current AFC 1 and 3 AFC seeds and lost to the NFC 1 and 3 seeds as well as AFC 5 annnnnnd the AFC 11 Cincy Bungles. They could easily beat the Bills and lose to Phins or beat both or lose to both. How they'll get there is a mystery but they will get to 9 wins somehow.

[bradshaw2ben]

vs. Bengals - W (could go either way, but it's exactly what PIT offense needs to get out of its grave + No Hendrickson and probably no Joe Burrow)
@ Bears - L (we never play well in Chicago and we'll make Caleb look like Steve Young) this
vs. Bills - L
@ Ravens - L (the Ravens are just better)
vs. Dolphins - W
@ Lions - L
@ Browns - W
vs. Ravens - W (in a meaningless game for BAL except it might get them DEN instead of BUF if they lose)

9-8, #8 seed, no playoffs

NHALS

Seeds:
1. NE
2. IND
3. KC (tiebreaker from week 1 H2H
4.BAL
5. DEN
6. BUF
7. LAC

[steelmann58]

Think we get swept by Cinny and Balt lucky our win in vs Miami

[StillerDownSouth]

I’m thinking 7-10 might be the best they can do. One thing that has blessed the Steelers this season is they have been pretty healthy as a team overall. Hightower and JPJ have missed some time, Elliot is prob done for the season, but other than that it’s been pretty good. One would have to figure that the laws of averages are going to start and if the Steelers run into a rash of injuries this season could end pretty ugly.

I’m hoping they go on a skid over the next month and are basically out of it and they give Howard a shot for 3-4 games at the end of the season. Another thing they should do starting tomorrow is promote Roman Wilson to number 2 and call up MVS and start trying to run some sort of modern offense, enough of this 3 TE shit and get CAIII the fuck off the field, guy isn’t quick enough or strong enough to beat man coverage, the fact he is the Steelers #2 WR is criminal. They spent draft capital on Roman, time to give the kid a shot. They also spent capital on Kaleb Johnson, might as well start giving him Gainwells snaps, Gainwell won’t be part of the future, you drafted Kaleb in the 3rd, give him 10+ touches a game and see what he can do, hell they tossed Naj’s sorry ass out there day 1 and kept trotting him out for another 4 years.

[Stosh-67]

I’m thinking 7-10 might be the best they can do. One thing that has blessed the Steelers this season is they have been pretty healthy as a team overall. Hightower and JPJ have missed some time, Elliot is prob done for the season, but other than that it’s been pretty good. One would have to figure that the laws of averages are going to start and if the Steelers run into a rash of injuries this season could end pretty ugly.

I’m hoping they go on a skid over the next month and are basically out of it and they give Howard a shot for 3-4 games at the end of the season. Another thing they should do starting tomorrow is promote Roman Wilson to number 2 and call up MVS and start trying to run some sort of modern offense, enough of this 3 TE shit and get CAIII the fuck off the field, guy isn’t quick enough or strong enough to beat man coverage, the fact he is the Steelers #2 WR is criminal. They spent draft capital on Roman, time to give the kid a shot. They also spent capital on Kaleb Johnson, might as well start giving him Gainwells snaps, Gainwell won’t be part of the future, you drafted Kaleb in the 3rd, give him 10+ touches a game and see what he can do, hell they tossed Naj’s sorry ass out there day 1 and kept trotting him out for another 4 years.

South.
Great commentary.
Howard - would like to see him and what he has before end of season. But believe Tomlin would go to Mason first.

Roman absolutely should be getting majority of #2.
Can we get crazy and start running some basic football 101 plays that Roman should be able to run. 7-8 yard curl. 6-7-8 yard out. ....plays that should be 1st down play calls. I think he has the speed to sell these routes deep... into easy pitch and catch plays to get into 2nd and shorts.

I do realize this team uses 1st and 2nd down as a conduit to get to 3rd and manageable..... but changing this mindset is step one in making this offense functional. Don't think Chief Obtuse understands this.

Put Roman in motion to get more free releases....
Again... this team is the only team in the galaxy that utilizes their 4 slowest skill players in motion on top of #6 OL in motion. None of this has led to more success on offense. None.

Kaleb. Yes. He is not going to get into a rhythm or build confidence with one play a half. He has 17 carries and 2 targers in 9 games. Did anyone think after the draft that KJ would get less than 40 touches in his rookie season?

Unfortunately Tomlin has fallen in love with Gainwell who is 2nd on team with 29 recepts....
At ......wait for it....4.2 yards a catch.
Our #2 and #3 leaders in recepts are averaging 4.2 and 6.3 yards per catch (Jonnu)
Insane. 1950ish.

[anpsteel]

This team can easily lose the next 4 games, and if they do-

Going from 4-1 to 5-8, that collapse will seal the season, and the rest of their schedule.

This next game, against the Bengals will be a huge determining factor, toward the remainder of the season.

IF they lose- the likelihood of the team folding greatly increases, imo.

To beat the Bengals, they are going to have to change their basic defensive sets. They'll need interior pressure on Flacco, who does not deal with that very well, at all.

On top of making significant improvements, in respect to the defensive game plan, Rodgers has to play better than he has the past 2 weeks.

Not to mention, with all the media attention on the Steelers giving up on the run, waaaay too early against the Chargers... you just know Tomlin is going to want to go, run heavy, in the game immediately following. So, look for the standard HB Dive on 1st and 2nd down, combined with a pass well behind the line to gain on 3rd and long.

Hopefully he doesn't play to that tendency, but I don't trust him not to-

I think the game against the Bears sets up as a loss. They'll be coming off a division game, on the road, to an out of conference opponent, with two "big" games after that.

Anyway- there is a very significant chance that the Rodgers shit show and the team melt down begins this coming week-


Bengals L
Bears L
Bills L
Ravens L
Dolphins W
Lions L
Browns W
Ravens L

For a 7-10 end to NHALS

[Gonzo]

On NFL Radio
Rich Gannon called Steelers Wr situation “professional malpractice’”

Also said … he has repeatedly defended the Steelers O as a work in progress with potential. Yet has now realized that was wishful thinking … they are “mediocre at best and lack talent and any any real scheme”

[LakecrestSteeler]

On NFL Radio
Rich Gannon called Steelers Wr situation “professional malpractice’”

Also said … he has repeatedly defended the Steelers O as a work in progress with potential. Yet has now realized that was wishful thinking … they are “mediocre at best and lack talent and any any real scheme”

Rich Eisen has said it is time for Tomlin to go...I am surprised nobody started a thread with that headline. Steelers Depot has the article.

He always sings the praises of Tomlin, so that was a big statement I felt.