Cowherd Rips Steelers

[NorthCoast]

Paraphrasing:

• Have nothing that scares a playoff caliber team
• Despite second easiest schedule in the league, 6 of 11 games decided by one possession, and this despite time of possession that's top 5
• Need a run game to keep it away from KC's offense in the playoffs
• Won't be able to defend the run against teams like TEN after losing Bush and Dupree; allow too many explosives runs
• Took 51 passes against JV Baltimore to win by 5
• "Unimpressed"

[Steelwolf]

We all can see this and hopefully gives the steelers are nudge lol I'm just enjoying the 11-0 start but some tough sledding is brewing and I see a browns team that is riding strong too

[SidSmythe]

Although I've said things like "this is the least dominant 10 - 0 team I've ever seen." I will give yesterday a pass.

Am I discouraged from what I saw? Yes

I believe great teams play their best football in December. I guess we will see.

The only hope for the Steelers is to start dominating in the running game and having a more consistent deep ball threat.
James Washington needs to step up.
I think Claypool has hit his rookie wall.

[Northern_Blitz]

Every time I see "Cowherd" in a thread, I just assume it says "Cowherd trolls for clicks".

Actually I tend to think this about all the MSM talking heads.

But I'll weigh in on these:

• Have nothing that scares a playoff caliber team: This is untrue. I think we have elite (1) short passing, (2) pressure, and (3) turnovers. All of these things are good skills to have. Turnover ratio is the most important stat in the NFL (outside of point differential I guess). We are far from being a perfect team and we certainly have weaknesses. But I think we'd be favored against anyone by KC and we've already beaten several of the AFC playoff teams (or in the Rats case, teams that would currently be in the playoff picture if we didn't beat them twice).
• Despite second easiest schedule in the league, 6 of 11 games decided by one possession, and this despite time of possession that's top 5: I think matchups are generally more important than strength of schedule (except for tie breakers). We haven't always played as good as expectations, but only Ws so far. And several of those wins are against ACF playoff teams (the Titans and Browns in particular). If you count our "almost losses" then you also have to look at things like how the Bills almost lost to the Dolphins and the Pats (and got blown out by the Titans who we beat). I think the Bills will be the 3rd seed in the AFC.
• Need a run game to keep it away from KC's offense in the playoffs. I think it is true that we need to get better at running. But people who are intellectually honest don't get to argue that we (i) can't win ToP against the Chiefs because we can't run and (ii) we should have bigger win margins because our ToP is so good.
• Won't be able to defend the run against teams like TEN after losing Bush and Dupree; allow too many explosives runs. I'm genuinely worried about this. Our run D seemed to take a big hit at the same time that Bush got hurt. Losing Dupree will probably also hurt. Hightower has looked good in limited action. And if the JH rumors are true, I think he'll still be able to set the edge.
• Took 51 passes against JV Baltimore to win by 5. This is cherry picking one game. If the WRs could catch, that game would have been a blowout. And the WRs have generally been able to catch in other games. I'm mostly chalking this up as a Mulligan provided it doesn't repeat (but I said similar things after the first big rushing game this season and the run D hasn't reverted to early season form...although I think the injuries explain that).
• "Unimpressed" I get this after last game. But I do think it's important to win games even when you have bad games. Especially in one game elimination tournaments.

[BURGH86STEEL]

The Steelers or any team the league could win vs anyone or lose vs anyone. There isn't a dominant team in the league today.

[NorthCoast]

As Tomlin himself said "this team has many warts".

But we have to be encouraged by:

• Consistently finding ways to win; and they are doing it in a variety of ways; defense, offense and even special teams have contributed to top 5 field position
• Next man up; injuries have not decimated this team; generally speaking young guys have stepped in and performed well when necessary. In a covid-pocked season this is especially important.
• The key player that makes the offense run has been consistently good in every game. This simply can't be overlooked.
• Coaching for the most part has been excellent; I don't think I've said to myself 'boy they got out-coached' one time this season.

I think at this point in the season, this team is what it is, just as most teams are. They are genuinely fun to watch (to the point that I spent $ for the first time ever to buy the Sunday ticket to see all the games).

["BuzzNuter"]

Remember Cowherd is a huge Seattle fan. He's from Seattle? He hates the Steelers from SBXL and has been a Steeler hater ever since.

[Mr.wizard]

Who cares if we scare a team as long as we beat them.

[feltdizz]

Cowherd is so annoying but I know thats part of his schtick.

He’s not wrong about a few points but i think he is being sensational. We don’t scare anyone? Thats a joke. Everyone knows our D is legit. Our offense isn’t high powered but we have Ben and a bunch of playmakers and we dink and dunk you to death and Claypool and Washington can hurt you at anytime.

The running game is the only thing thats a weak spot but we are pretty good at these short passes so our TOP is still good and can keep offenses on the sideline.

We don’t make the schedule so whole our schedule is pretty soft we have taken care of business.

KC is the one team that scares me but i think we can still give them problems due to our pass rush and secondary.

[Steel Maniac]

Paraphrasing:

• Have nothing that scares a playoff caliber team
• Despite second easiest schedule in the league, 6 of 11 games decided by one possession, and this despite time of possession that's top 5
• Need a run game to keep it away from KC's offense in the playoffs
• Won't be able to defend the run against teams like TEN after losing Bush and Dupree; allow too many explosives runs
• Took 51 passes against JV Baltimore to win by 5
• "Unimpressed"

Screw Cowherd.

[Buzz]

I don't care for Cowherd, but he spoke some truth here. Personally, I think Tuitt & his overconfident teammates need to hear it. Maybe it will fire them up to do better than they did against the Rats.

[Steelwolf]

Cowherd is so annoying but I know thats part of his schtick.

He’s not wrong about a few points but i think he is being sensational. We don’t scare anyone? Thats a joke. Everyone knows our D is legit. Our offense isn’t high powered but we have Ben and a bunch of playmakers and we dink and dunk you to death and Claypool and Washington can hurt you at anytime.

The running game is the only thing thats a weak spot but we are pretty good at these short passes so our TOP is still good and can keep offenses on the sideline.

We don’t make the schedule so whole our schedule is pretty soft we have taken care of business.

KC is the one team that scares me but i think we can still give them problems due to our pass rush and secondary.

Pass rush going to be less effective without bud I fear

[Starlifter]

when did it become a thing that if you're undefeated - it doesn't mean anything unless you're blowing opponents away?

I don't disagree with his assessment of the team, but I think he's overlooking the fact that despite obvious flaws - the team is finding a way to win. Doesn't that count for anything? I also agree if those issues aren't addressed - it will be short January.

But the idea that undefeated is not real unless your manhandling most opponents is absurd.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

when did it become a thing that if you're undefeated - it doesn't mean anything unless you're blowing opponents away?

Funny. Every talking head talks about the Steelers like they are scraping for a playoff berth and then put them as #1 or 2 in their power rankings.

[NorthCoast]

when did it become a thing that if you're undefeated - it doesn't mean anything unless you're blowing opponents away?

I don't disagree with his assessment of the team, but I think he's overlooking the fact that despite obvious flaws - the team is finding a way to win. Doesn't that count for anything? I also agree if those issues aren't addressed - it will be short January.

But the idea that undefeated is not real unless your manhandling most opponents is absurd.

SOS and margin of victory has always been a thing.

But I think the part about going undefeated that few people talk about is that the Steelers don't make a lot of mistakes. Roethlisberger isn't throwing INTs like 2 yrs ago, the Steelers are top 10 in fewest penalty yards, and they are #1 in takeaways and TO margin/gm. That's gonna win you a lot of games in this league. It's also hugely important in single elimination playoffs.