The Silver Lining

[Cinnjerm3000]

If it hasn't been pointed out (which I'm sure it hasn't) or if you didn't realize for yourself, this loss (ugly it may be) is not really that big of a deal. I get that it's an intra-conference loss which hurts us in tie breakers, but, on top of the fact the rest of our division also lost, every other team (save the Patriots) that we're competing with for a first round bye also lost this week. Denver lost to a divisional foe in the Chargers, Oakland lost a divisional match as well to the Chiefs, and we'll have our opportunity to take back a tie breaker from New England next Sunday in a heads up match. It sucks not getting this win, but (all things considered) it won't matter much if we win next week.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I wish I could have confidence that the Steelers win next week. But I expect that Brady will exploit the (glaring) weaknesses in the D, and that Belicheat and Co. will have the answers to take away the strengths of the O. If there's one thing that gives me a bit of hope, it's that the game is in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have played a lot better this season.

[bostonsteeler]

Ben's out next week. Going by past history, he'll probably play poorly against Baltimore too.
We're looking at 4-4.
The Eagles and Miami games are going to look very important towards the end of the season.

[Cinnjerm3000]

Ben's out next week. Going by past history, he'll probably play poorly against Baltimore too.
We're looking at 4-4.
The Eagles and Miami games are going to look very important towards the end of the season.

Agreed. I made this post before I knew Ben was having surgery. We might be kinda boned. Our only saving grace may be the fact the AFC North sucks this year.

[Shoe]

Ben's out next week. Going by past history, he'll probably play poorly against Baltimore too.
We're looking at 4-4.
The Eagles and Miami games are going to look very important towards the end of the season.

Despite our embarrassment this week, if we slip to 4-4 by time Ben comes back to being Ben, I'll take it. We've seen (the last 10 years) how it doesn't matter how you start but how you finish. One could look at all the injuries, and see them as a blessing if those guys are able to return to health within the season. *knock on wood* We haven't lost any big names for the season. Ben, Le'veon, Shazier, Cam... all big names, but none *knock on wood* have yet gone out for the year.

If they can come back, they've actually saved a little wear and tear on their overall body, for the stretch run. But yeah, I'll take 4-4 for a healthy Ben.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Maybe it will be 4-3, with a healthy Ben coming back after the bye to beat the Ratbirds. Then the Steelers would be sitting at 5-3 at the halfway point.

Such a fragile bunch--can they hold up for a playoff run?