Looking Good...If We Win Out

[Flasteel]

Everything broke right this weekend, as far as the other teams in the the hunt for the 6th seed. Only the Dolphins and Ravens are ahead of us in the chase and if we win out, the first victims in that stretch would be the Phins. First tie-breaker with them would be head-to-head. Check.

The Ravens still have to win on the road in Detroit and Cincy, as well as beat New England at home. If they slip-up in any one of those games, we will win based on the 2nd tie-breaker (common games; 5-3 to 4-4). If they lose to the Bengals only, we would win on the 1st tie-breaker (division record; 4-2 to 3-3).

Minnesota is suddenly no pushover, but you gotta think the Rats would take that one at home. The other 3 games will be very tough. So tough, that I don't think there's much of a chance they win all of them...they could easily lose all of them.

We have Miami, Cleveland, and a very tough game against the Bengals at home, in addition to a Green Bay team, which looks a lot further away from being good than just getting Aaron Rogers back. Not great odds that we win all of those, but certainly a better shot than Baltimore has of winning all of theirs.

We might as well say that we control our own destiny.

Sometimes I just hate hope.

[LordVile]

good analysis.. at this point we got nothing to lose.. GO STEELERS!!

[Starlifter]

at this point we got nothing to lose

thank god. we're fresh out of centers!!!...........

[fordfixer]

Even a small light looks bright when things are at their darkest

[Eich]

Hard to believe that we have any shot at all at the postseason. And if we get there, what kind of shape will we be in? This offensive line is as cursed as any Steelers line I can remember. By the postseason, it won't remotely resemble what it started the season with. And please.... if we do somehow get a wild card game, for the love of God, don't start the game with 6 straight runs.

[hawaiiansteel]

[Iron Shiek]

thank god. we're fresh out of centers!!!...........

Anyone know what Mahan is doing right now?

[hawaiiansteel]

Anyone know what Mahan is doing right now?

I hear Chukky Okobi and Justin Hartwig are still available too!

[feltdizz]

Hard to believe that we have any shot at all at the postseason. And if we get there, what kind of shape will we be in? This offensive line is as cursed as any Steelers line I can remember. By the postseason, it won't remotely resemble what it started the season with. And please.... if we do somehow get a wild card game, for the love of God, don't start the game with 6 straight runs.

We have a shot because the 4-8 teams are still in the hunt. I like are chances if we beat Miami.

[skyhawk]

The only problem with the optimism is that going to the playoffs depends on this team winning.

Too bad that is likely too much to ask for this team.

Playoffs?? playoffs??

[RuthlessBurgher]

Sometimes I just hate hope.

[skyhawk]

Best movie ever!

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Anyone know what Mahan is doing right now?

I looked into it. Mahan has chronic whiplash from constantly twisting his neck watching defenders run past him.

[hawaiiansteel]

Taylor: "This game is like a playoff game”

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

The intensity continues to magnify.

In the hunt: There is no doubt that Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field is one of the most important games on the Steelers schedule and it’s not just because it’s the next game. It’s because at this point of the season games take on a whole new meaning.

“It’s like a playoff, must-win atmosphere,” said cornerback Ike Taylor. “Both teams are in the hunt for the playoffs. Miami is putting themselves in position and so are we. This is a huge game. It’s going to tell a lot. This game is like a playoff game.”

The Steelers sit at 5-7, not a comfortable spot in a tight AFC race where they are the ninth seed. The Dolphins are 6-6, the seventh seed going into this week’s game.

“Every game from here on out is do or die,” said wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. “If you lose, you can be out of it. That is how we have to approach it. For us that is pretty much reality because we would lose tie-breakers. We are playing a team in the hunt in Miami and it’s going to be a playoff atmosphere.”

Turning up the heat: With their playoff fate hanging in the balance Taylor said you can definitely feel the intensity pick up, something that just happens naturally this time of year. And for the younger players who haven’t experienced that feeling yet, it’s something they can just sense.

“The intensity magnifies in practice,” said Taylor. “You are running faster, there is more attention to detail. That is what they see. Everybody is talking. Everybody is on their Ps and Qs.

“When you are pushing for the playoffs, everything is magnified because it’s a loser goes home atmosphere. It fires you up and everyone is ready to go. When you are in that position mentally, and all 11 guys are with you, it’s a good situation.”

The team had a “bonus” day of practice on Monday coming off a Thursday night game, and receiverAntonio Brown said you could already feel things picking up.

“Everyone understands the position we are in and what is important,” said Brown. “There is a lot of emphasis on the game this week and every one after that. Everyone is on their game, buying in and in tune to what we want to accomplish.

“Each guy in a helmet is giving their all. Everyone is on their assignment. That is the type of team and environment you want to be in when it’s December football.”

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Taylor-This-game-is-like-a-playoff-game”/4ebe7bcf-9742-41ab-a39d-4bf74560ed76[/URL]

[Ghost]

Week 14 and NOW there's urgency.