Ok so here is the good news...

[Shawn]

It has been established that this Steeler team can play with anyone when playing well. It has also been established the Steelers love to lose to weaker teams.

So according to my crazy Steeler fan logic...I see the Steelers playing their best ball in the playoffs...if they make it. I don't know the Steelers will make the playoffs but I believe they run far and deep if they do get there.

[feltdizz]

if we get there we can hang with anyone.

The problem is these losses to sub par teams may keep us out of the playoffs again.

[SidSmythe]

Having a first week bye is HIGHLY unlikely.

Right now focusing on the DIVISION with 2 games left against CINCY is key.

The only team they can afford a loss against is either New Orleans or Atlanta b/c they're going to need division and conference wins for tiebreakers.

[Flasteel]

You may looking past the point that we would likely be playing most or all of our playoff games on the road. That 3-game barrage that left all of us feeling warm and fuzzy about our team was achieved entirely in the friendly confines of Heinz Field. On the road (aside from Carolina) we have been a very poor team.

Hopefully we catch fire and find out how to play consistent football, regardless of the venue.

[Slapstick]

Having a first week bye is HIGHLY unlikely.

Right now focusing on the DIVISION with 2 games left against CINCY is key.

The only team they can afford a loss against is either New Orleans or Atlanta b/c they're going to need division and conference wins for tiebreakers.

Actually, within the division, common opponents are a tiebreaker before conference wins...the Jets loss will be factored as a tiebreaker after NO and ATL.

[Vader]

Where have they shown they can hang with anyone? They haven't even played the top 2 teams in the conference and haven't played any of the 7 good NFC teams. They've beaten one good team at home where the defense gave up 34 points. I'm sure they can hang with the AFC middle teams but I haven't seen anything that lets me believe they can play with the pats* or Denver.

[Discipline of Steel]

Where have they shown they can hang with anyone? They haven't even played the top 2 teams in the conference and haven't played any of the 7 good NFC teams. They've beaten one good team at home where the defense gave up 34 points. I'm sure they can hang with the AFC middle teams but I haven't seen anything that lets me believe they can play with the pats* or Denver.

Any team with a QB who throws for 12 TDs in two games can hang with anyone...on any given Sunday.

[NorthCoast]

I like your thinking. But alas, this team has holes in it, if not in talent, then in psyche. Not getting up for sad sack games, .... struggles on the road. Any given Sunday yes. But a consistent run in the playoffs?... not so much.

On the brighter side, I don't see the team being that far away from being the consistent winner we were hoping for. Perhaps one good draft away....

[Vader]

Any team with a QB who throws for 12 TDs in two games can hang with anyone...on any given Sunday.

You don't know that, you believe that. It has not been shown.

[Iron City Inc.]

I like your thinking. But alas, this team has holes in it, if not in talent, then in psyche. Not getting up for sad sack games, .... struggles on the road. Any given Sunday yes. But a consistent run in the playoffs?... not so much.

On the brighter side, I don't see the team being that far away from being the consistent winner we were hoping for. Perhaps one good draft away....

I like YOUR thinking on the brighter side! A draft where a shut down corner is found would go a long way to making us real contenders again.