It's in Tomlin's grasp

[whisper]

One of the major points in Tomlin's critics is that he hasn't won a postseason game in so long. Here is his chance to knock off that strike: Beat KC and he silences that criticism. It's all in his hands now. Win, and he shuts that noise down. Lose, and it's amplified further.

[hawaiiansteel]

[BURGH86STEEL]

The only problem is Tomlin can't perform and execute for the players. Player performance and execution are where games are generally won or loss.

[feltdizz]

Its in Heywards grasp

Its in Ben’s grasp

Its in Minkah’s grasp

Its in DJ’s grasp

Everyone who touches the field needs to realize now is the time.

When everyone does their job, the chances for success become much easier.

Throwing behind the LOS on 3rd and 9.. won’t cut it. Najee running East West, won’t cut it. Minkah and Bush arm tackling.. won’t cut it.

Now is the time for this team to play their best game of the year. Keep it close, keep it ugly.. keep Mahommes on the bench.

[Northern_Blitz]

Win or lose, I think the players are more responsible. Just like in the Rats game yesterday. And for the season as a whole.

I think we'll lose against KC.

And if we win, there is a 0% chance that it will silence Tomlin's critics.

After all, we still have one of "Cowher's players" on the roster...or some other silly argument.

[whisper]

The only problem is Tomlin can't perform and execute for the players. Player performance and execution are where games are generally won or loss.

So, the coach has nothing to do with the team's performance?

[T.Ferguson]

I'm not expecting a win but it would be nice to see the team go out fighting. That starts with the coaching and game planning. If the team comes out with run on 1st, bubble, deep out, punt, etc. it'll probably be a long day. I'll happily give credit to Tomlin and the coaches, regardless of a win or loss, if they actually gameplan for this one as opposed to the we do what we do approach.

[Ghost]

Is the Steelers have less than 8 throws behind the line of scrimmage or 5 yards behind the first down marker I will consider the game a rousing success.

[Northern_Blitz]

I'm not expecting a win but it would be nice to see the team go out fighting. That starts with the coaching and game planning. If the team comes out with run on 1st, bubble, deep out, punt, etc. it'll probably be a long day. I'll happily give credit to Tomlin and the coaches, regardless of a win or loss, if they actually gameplan for this one as opposed to the we do what we do approach.

I think the potential problem here is if we come out throwing and going over the middle intermediate and deep, we'll end up with a lot of turnovers again.

It's not a reasonable ask for Ben to do.

It can't be that we don't know that this offense sucks. I think it has to be that we feel like it's the only kind of offense we can execute without driving up the turnover numbers. Especially since we've been running it for multiple coordinators.

We need to keep it close and hope that breaks go our way.

So we need to slow the game down.

But it probably only works if we execute almost perfectly. Because our drives are necessarily long because we don't get big plays. Not a great recipe when the OL gets a penalty every 5 plays (at least that's what it feels like).

It also means that the D has to be basically perfect.

I'm mostly hoping that we don't get embarrassed. Ideally Ben goes out with a 3rd SB trophy. But failing that, I just don't want to see him go out in a game where he looks terrible because we ask him to do things he can't do anymore.

[feltdizz]

Is the Steelers have less than 8 throws behind the line of scrimmage or 5 yards behind the first down marker I will consider the game a rousing success.

haha.. right!!!

But here is the rub.

We made the playoffs. Maybe some of those frustrating passes behind the LOS would be ugly Ben turnovers if he tried to do too much?

Who knows.. all I know is these dudes can’t be trusted to run past the sticks once they do have a bit of running room after a catch.

[brothervad]

This is such a Straw man...

Tell me if the Steelers are able to gameplan successfully and execute with the type of Elan that they had in Ben's final home game (Tomlin is able to get them at a berserker level by a heroic "nobody wants us here and doesn't think we belong let's do it) and somehow manage to win against KC.

And then loses to the Titans because D. Henry rushes for 200+ yards against a weak D line - you gonna tell me you will all stop your Tomlin must go rhetoric?

Color me skeptical.

Brothervad

[BURGH86STEEL]

So, the coach has nothing to do with the team's performance?

I didn't say this. Coaches can't perform for the players. Execution is the more important aspect off the game on game day. Coaches don't drop passes, commit penalties, commit turnovers, miss blocks, ect.

I believe the coaching staff got the most of this team considering the injuries on the Dline, injuries on the Oline, overall youth of the offense, and the limitations of the QB at this stage of his career.

I don't expect the Steelers do defeat the Chiefs. However, I don't expect the team to be blown out this time. I expect a better and more competitive game. The team probably will get blown out if they make to many mistakes.

[Terrapin]

As much as I dislike Tomlin, unless we come out with timid play calling and get blown out by 40, even I'll have a hard time blaming him. Tough for a double digit underdog to win on the road.

Now if we do win, and the D can somehow shut KC down, then Tomlin should get the credit many of you believe he deserves

[T.Ferguson]

So we need to slow the game down.

How is that going to work though? Steelers cannot come out and run it on 1st, bubble/2yarder, etc. This hasn't worked the entire season. Steelers cannot afford that approach for 3 quarters and wait for Ben to bail out the team again in the 4th against an offense like the Chiefs.

I'm not saying Ben needs to be slinging the ball all over the field but they have to mix it up to sustain drives and keep the Chiefs off the field. Steelers have two good TE's and a RB with great hands, use them a lot in the passing game.

[Northern_Blitz]

How is that going to work though? Steelers cannot come out and run it on 1st, bubble/2yarder, etc. This hasn't worked the entire season. Steelers cannot afford that approach for 3 quarters and wait for Ben to bail out the team again in the 4th against an offense like the Chiefs.

I'm not saying Ben needs to be slinging the ball all over the field but they have to mix it up to sustain drives and keep the Chiefs off the field. Steelers have two good TE's and a RB with great hands, use them a lot in the passing game.

I think we need to be good at running the ball. But I don't know if we can.

I also hate the passes behind the line. Especially on conversion downs.

I also hate running it on 2nd an 7+ (maybe even 6+). Because putting us in 3rd and long sucks when we can only throw it to the line.

I think that's the big problem with this team. There are no good answers for what to do on offense.

I like the idea of using the TEs more in the passing game and I hope we do that.

I agree that it's frustrating to watch the same things that haven't worked too well for the last 20 weeks or so get trotted out again.