Second half predictions

[Oviedo]

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women!"

[birtikidis]

Now that the NFL allows Chokeholds, I foresee a grand battle, nay, a ROYAL RUMBLE.
Seriously though, if they keep allowing that crap, I could see some good players getting hurt and then who knows what the hell will happen.

[feltdizz]

7-1... and HFA.

[williar]

Martavis Bryant is going to step up and be the man! The offense is going to start clicking.....

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

So many possibilities, the sky is the limit. This team is currently 6-2 and the top seed in the AFC...and has not played all that well. Some key players have missed games and seem ready to return.

Predictions:

Steelers ripe for their traditional second-half surge

Ben steps up in the second half. Kind of easy prediction because I don't foresee another 5 int. game.

Martavis rejoins the offense and plays co-second fiddle to AB. Eli sees less of the ball (which isn't bad because hopefully he drops fewer balls in the EZ).

Return of Gilbert proves to be key to improving the O. More time for Ben, more room for Bell, more play action, everything falls in line.

PPG at least 5 points higher in the last 8 games.

Steelers lose to either Baltimore or Cincy

Steelers beat NE Dec. 17 which eases them into HFA.

[NorthCoast]

All hinges on the QB. In a normal year, second half is his time. But I also don't feel like it is a normal year.
anyone else see stafford shred GB last night. Made what the Steelers defense did even more amazing. If Roethlisberger can start making some of those throws, look out NFL!

[papillon]

I think they'll be 6-2 or 7-1, but I don't see Ben's play changing, he will continue to be erratic and at the most inopportune moments as is his MO recently. The offense looks awesome at times and struggles at others, I don't see Bryant having an impact, I think mentally he's playing for another team and not the Steelers. Bell and Brown will carry the offense and the defense will continue to improve, which is a good thing because the Steelers will probably need them to win a game or two or three.

I think they'll get the #1 seed in a down year due to injuries. not sure they can mentally get past New England in the AFCCG even at home.

Pappy

[williar]

I think they'll be 6-2 or 7-1, but I don't see Ben's play changing, he will continue to be erratic and at the most inopportune moments as is his MO recently. The offense looks awesome at times and struggles at others, I don't see Bryant having an impact, I think mentally he's playing for another team and not the Steelers. Bell and Brown will carry the offense and the defense will continue to improve, which is a good thing because the Steelers will probably need them to win a game or two or three.

I think they'll get the #1 seed in a down year due to injuries. not sure they can mentally get past New England in the AFCCG even at home.

Pappy

Ewwwww - that really sucks!

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

7-1... and HFA.

Beat me to it.

Exactly!

[SidSmythe]

I'm going w/ 7-1 and that loss not coming to the Patriots.
That would give us #1 seed in the AFC - I believe 12-4 and victory of the Pats will give us #1 seed.

[Eich]

I'm going w/ 7-1 and that loss not coming to the Patriots.
That would give us #1 seed in the AFC - I believe 12-4 and victory of the Pats will give us #1 seed.

This is what I really hope for. And I know we have the talent to do it. But this team hasn't lived up to its talent and expectations in several years. I will be shocked (and very happy), if we go 7-1 in the 2nd half.

I have yet to see anything to lead me to believe that we'll beat the cheaters. What Chicago did to our secondary scares me. I'm just hoping that our D doesn't bite on another flea-flicker.

[RuthlessBurgher]

A quick glance at the upcoming schedules for the two teams atop the AFC at the midpoint of the season (PIT and NE are both 6-2 and each team is coming off their bye week):

After this weekend's trip to Indy, the Steelers play five of their last seven games at Heinz Field.

In contrast, New England has to play five of their next six games on the road (including at Heinz on 12/17/17).

[RuthlessBurgher]

If the playoffs started today, the Steelers would have home field advantage through the AFC playoffs and New England would also have a bye as the second seed.

The AFC West leading Chiefs would be the #3 seed and host the #6 seed Bills, and the AFC South leading Titans would be the #4 seed and host the #5 seed Jaguars in the wild card round.

If the Chiefs beat Buffalo in K.C., they would be travelling to Foxboro (where they beat NE 42-27 to kick off the season) and we'd get the winner of the JAX@TEN AFC South wild card battle at Heinz.

[williar]

Hypothetically speaking, I would much rather play Tenn than Jacksonville - I think Jags defense is for real! And if the scenario were to play out - Steelers losing to the pats (again) in the AFC CG, this time at Heinz Field, I would allow our guys in the locker room to shower! I'd tell them to just get in their cars and go! We are blowing this whole thing up!

[williar]

Hypothetically speaking, I would much rather play Tenn than Jacksonville - I think Jags defense is for real! And if the scenario were to play out - Steelers losing to the pats (again) in the AFC CG, this time at Heinz Field, I would allow our guys in the locker room to shower! I'd tell them to just get in their cars and go! We are blowing this whole thing up!

I meant to say that I would not even allow our guys in locker room to shower after the game! I honestly don't think a true Steeler fan could swallow that, losing to a depleted NE in the championship game at home!