Best possible situation going into Week 17

[Oviedo]

While we all agree the team blew it in Baltimore. Instead of continuously crying over several dairy farms worth of spilled milk I think we have a good situation going into Week 17. Of course we have to win, but what better situation could there be than Rex Ryan having a chance to knock his former employers in the Jets out of the play offs. I don't think motivation will be an issue.

[Slapstick]

I hate counting on Rex Ryan....

But, if the Bills can top the Jets and we can beat the Browns, we would end up in Cincinnati for the wild card round, most likely....

[Ghost]

While Rex would certainly like to knock his old team out of the playoffs; I'm not all that convinced the Bills have what it takes. The are really banged up, there's been reports this year of the team not liking Rex as the HC, and there's the possibility of having a lot of guys with their bags and golf clubs already packed just waiting to be on a Caribbean Island by 1/5 since there's nothing really to play for this week.

Conversely you have the Jets coming off a huge win and playing in a win and in game. They came to play against the Pats and will be coming again against a weaker team this week. They believe they are for real. I think it would take a Steelers' level breakdown by the Jets to lose this week. I'm holding out hope but I give it about a 3 out of 10 chance for the Jets losing.

[buccoray61]

While Rex would certainly like to knock his old team out of the playoffs; I'm not all that convinced the Bills have what it takes. The are really banged up, there's been reports this year of the team not liking Rex as the HC, and there's the possibility of having a lot of guys with their bags and golf clubs already packed just waiting to be on a Caribbean Island by 1/5 since there's nothing really to play for this week.

Conversely you have the Jets coming off a huge win and playing in a win and in game. They came to play against the Pats and will be coming again against a weaker team this week. They believe they are for real. I think it would take a Steelers' level breakdown by the Jets to lose this week. I'm holding out hope but I give it about a 3 out of 10 chance for the Jets losing.

I agree,from what I've reading there is going to be a lot of changes to the roster this off season.Mario Williams is rumored to be one of the first let go.Hope I'm wrong,but I see the Bills packing it in for this game.

[Sword]

We lose and get a better draft pick position since we are not going anywhere anyway and our torcher ends.......
sarcasm..........go Steelers...

[Shoe]

While Rex would certainly like to knock his old team out of the playoffs; I'm not all that convinced the Bills have what it takes. The are really banged up, there's been reports this year of the team not liking Rex as the HC, and there's the possibility of having a lot of guys with their bags and golf clubs already packed just waiting to be on a Caribbean Island by 1/5 since there's nothing really to play for this week.

Conversely you have the Jets coming off a huge win and playing in a win and in game. They came to play against the Pats and will be coming again against a weaker team this week. They believe they are for real. I think it would take a Steelers' level breakdown by the Jets to lose this week. I'm holding out hope but I give it about a 3 out of 10 chance for the Jets losing.

Yup, we see the same thing. Jets guys seem to have that winning feeling. The Rex vs. Jets angle just makes it worth tuning in.

Let the Su'a Cravens watch begin I guess...

[feltdizz]

I agree,from what I've reading there is going to be a lot of changes to the roster this off season.Mario Williams is rumored to be one of the first let go.Hope I'm wrong,but I see the Bills packing it in for this game.

I dont see the Bills packing it in this week.

[winwithd]

I dont see the Bills packing it in this week.

The Jets have a HC still looking to prove himself and make his mark. He will not let the Jets go into an important game flat, assuming it's already won. Our coach...???
Labriola and Tunch like to talk about all the work that was done last week was the same as the week leading up to the Denver game. There is a difference between productivity and busyness. Plus that says absolutely nothing about the mindset on game day. Wolfley was saying on the radio pregame show that there was no emotion or energy to the Steelers pregame like is normally the case vs Ravens.
Harbaugh is arrogant and a pric#. But still gets his guys ready to play. Tomlin is classier but there is a certain arrogance in thinking you can just show up and win because you are just SO much better than the other guy.
Then to go into the game with such a passive/scared defensive game plan, smh.

[Oviedo]

Labriola and Tunch like to talk about all the work that was done last week was the same as the week leading up to the Denver game. There is a difference between productivity and busyness. Plus that says absolutely nothing about the mindset on game day. Wolfley was saying on the radio pregame show that there was no emotion or energy to the Steelers pregame like is normally the case vs Ravens.

Does anyone on this board know more than Tunch? Have more access or insights than Tunch? Sounds like the players to me and from the execution we saw from our QB and can't tackle defense that is why we lost. Coaches can only prepare so much and then the players have to make it happen. Our players failed to do that so now we have to rely on the Bills. If they can't do it we can talk draft.

[feltdizz]

The Jets have a HC still looking to prove himself and make his mark. He will not let the Jets go into an important game flat, assuming it's already won. Our coach...???
Labriola and Tunch like to talk about all the work that was done last week was the same as the week leading up to the Denver game. There is a difference between productivity and busyness. Plus that says absolutely nothing about the mindset on game day. Wolfley was saying on the radio pregame show that there was no emotion or energy to the Steelers pregame like is normally the case vs Ravens.
Harbaugh is arrogant and a pric#. But still gets his guys ready to play. Tomlin is classier but there is a certain arrogance in thinking you can just show up and win because you are just SO much better than the other guy.
Then to go into the game with such a passive/scared defensive game plan, smh.

Ravens have lost a oot of close games this year... but they were still a 4 win team so we have no idea how "ready" he gets his players.

Steeler snd Tomlin definitely have an issue with playing down to competiton. Also have to put blame on Haley and Ben because they definitely put together some stinkers on offense given all the weapons we have. Haley coaches that game like Landry was out QB.

and thank goodness for the offsides on the GL. Empty set on the GL when DW was running well. Just sloppy football all around and our 100 million dollar QB has to take some of this blame. Ben has been on the field for a lot of these inexcusable losses and most times he hasnt played well in those games.

Last week we had the game won and Ben tried to give it away. Not sure what is going on with Ben right now.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Yup, we see the same thing. Jets guys seem to have that winning feeling. The Rex vs. Jets angle just makes it worth tuning in.

Let the Su'a Cravens watch begin I guess...

Cravens at strong safety would be interesting, given our history of success involving a certain SS from USC with Polynesian bloodlines before, and the fact that Carnell Lake would be his DB coach, and Lake has personal experience playing LB at UCLA before playing SS with the Steelers. He could possibly be a Kam Chancellor like presence back there.

[Oviedo]

Cravens at strong safety would be interesting, given our history of success involving a certain SS from USC with Polynesian bloodlines before, and the fact that Carnell Lake would be his DB coach, and Lake has personal experience playing LB at UCLA before playing SS with the Steelers. He could possibly be a Kam Chancellor like presence back there.

I know he is athletic, but does Cravens have Troy P like speed to be a difference maker? I'm cool if he can be a Kam Chancellor type player.

What do we need more, a Safety or a Cornerback? IMO we need the latter.

[NorthCoast]

I can only speculate the emotional drain of 'must wins' for the last several weeks finally took its toll on the team and especially Roethlisberger. As others have pointed out, the no-margin-for-errors offense demanded by the poor defense was bound to burn the team at some point. Last week, the defense saved Roethlisberger from Roethlisberger. But anyone watching this team this season knows it is not something that could be relied upon.
What is surprising is the lack of visible progress by the defense as the season progressed, which was hallmark of LeBeau's defenses. They may have started a season off slow but always seemed to catch their stride by season's end. We've seen nothing of the sort from this defense this season. I can only hope it is just a symptom of an inexperienced DC, and a very young defense.

[Oviedo]

I can only speculate the emotional drain of 'must wins' for the last several weeks finally took its toll on the team and especially Roethlisberger. As others have pointed out, the no-margin-for-errors offense demanded by the poor defense was bound to burn the team at some point. Last week, the defense saved Roethlisberger from Roethlisberger. But anyone watching this team this season knows it is not something that could be relied upon.
What is surprising is the lack of visible progress by the defense as the season progressed, which was hallmark of LeBeau's defenses. They may have started a season off slow but always seemed to catch their stride by season's end. We've seen nothing of the sort from this defense this season. I can only hope it is just a symptom of an inexperienced DC, and a very young defense.

More likely a function of one the least talented secondaries in the NFL. In addition we have gotten nothing from the OLB position the last few weeks in terms of sacks and only 14 all season

Makes it challenging when you can neither pressure the QB or cover the WRs. Thank goodness for Heyward and Tuitt

[Shoe]

I know he is athletic, but does Cravens have Troy P like speed to be a difference maker? I'm cool if he can be a Kam Chancellor type player.

What do we need more, a Safety or a Cornerback? IMO we need the latter.

Not many have Polamalu's speed. Sua isn't really a thumper either, like Chancellor. What he is, is a playmaker like each of those. Carnell Lake is a good name to evoke with Sua.