The Steelers are going to make a run

[Steel Maniac]

No current or recent Raiders player understands old school football history, let alone cares about it and gets motivated by it. That's for the fans.

Go see the raider game last year and what Carr said after the game.

[WindyCitySteel]

This thread should go in the board prediction hall of fame.

[hawaiiansteel]

This thread should go in the board prediction hall of fame.

yes, great time-based prediction by you!

[SidSmythe]

They made a Sprint but ran out of gas like me trying to run the mile in H.S.

[Captain Lemming]

Didn't mean to channel Flippy here, but I feel like we're going to be scoreboard watching after the next four games, and frankly, we should all be rooting for that. It would be much more enjoyable off-season thinking about a rookie QB who looked legit and the team only needing a piece or two to contend rather than running mock drafts that fill gaping holes at every position.

Who's with me? Let's do it!!!!!!!!!!!

You called it man. Congrats.
That part of your prediction that's missing is the only part you actually control.

How bout bringing back a little bit of that optimism that was supposed to follow winning instead of the doom and gloom you have returned to.

Like you said, "it makes for a much more enjoyable off-season".

[Chucktownsteeler]

The first Ravens game stings like acid.

[WindyCitySteel]

You called it man. Congrats.
That part of your prediction that's missing is the only part you actually control.

How bout bringing back a little bit of that optimism that was supposed to follow winning instead of the doom and gloom you have returned to.

Like you said, "it makes for a much more enjoyable off-season".

They stacked wins, but I don't think a lot of it was because of real improvements, just lousy opponents and limiting TOs by buttoning down the offense. I think they would have gotten pole-axed in Buffalo and are basically the same team as last year.

If they make a serious change at OC I'll be excited for next year.

[whisper]

You made the right call on the run, even if it didn't turn out to mean anything - they still did make a run. Of course, it didn't matter if we actually did make it into the post season, Buffalo would have shredded this team. But I will tip my hat to you calling them making a run.

[whisper]

They stacked wins, but I don't think a lot of it was because of real improvements, just lousy opponents and limiting TOs by buttoning down the offense. I think they would have gotten pole-axed in Buffalo and are basically the same team as last year.

If they make a serious change at OC I'll be excited for next year.

Only if the "serious change" includes on telling Shades "hands off" on his interference. If we have a new "guy" in the job and it's still just Shades proxy, then nothing will change.

[Captain Lemming]

They stacked wins, but I don't think a lot of it was because of real improvements, just lousy opponents and limiting TOs by buttoning down the offense. I think they would have gotten pole-axed in Buffalo and are basically the same team as last year.

If they make a serious change at OC I'll be excited for next year.

I think that is a middle ground we can agree on.
I will be disappointed if this does not happen.

I will agree with whisper too. Tomlin should hire an independent offensive coach and let him handle it.

I think Haley was that kind of hire. Problem was that he did not mesh with Ben.

[Captain Lemming]

Only if the "serious change" includes on telling Shades "hands off" on his interference. If we have a new "guy" in the job and it's still just Shades proxy, then nothing will change.

If THAT happens, will you turn down the rage?

[Northern_Blitz]

They stacked wins, but I don't think a lot of it was because of real improvements, just lousy opponents and limiting TOs by buttoning down the offense. I think they would have gotten pole-axed in Buffalo and are basically the same team as last year.

If they make a serious change at OC I'll be excited for next year.

If they don't get credit for beating lower tier teams, do the losses against upper tier teams not count either?

I 100% agree that we should do all we can to bring in an above average OC.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

They stacked wins, but I don't think a lot of it was because of real improvements, just lousy opponents

I disagree on this. In the first half they found ways to lose to average teams like Jets, NE, Cleveland. In the second half they found ways to win those games - and beat two teams the second time around.

and are basically the same team as last year.

All about perspective. Last year was a team in decline, with an aging QB and very little to be positive about moving forward. This season you have a young, improving QB surrounded by young talent. They may be close to the same level today as when the year ended last year, but much more reason for optimism moving forward.

[Rocky Mtn]

I disagree on this. In the first half they found ways to lose to average teams like Jets, NE, Cleveland. In the second half they found ways to win those games - and beat two teams the second time around.



All about perspective. Last year was a team in decline, with an aging QB and very little to be positive about moving forward. This season you have a young, improving QB surrounded by young talent. They may be close to the same level today as when the year ended last year, but much more reason for optimism moving forward.

This. Arrow pointing up this season's end versus down at last season's end.

[crushedspirit]

I disagree on this. In the first half they found ways to lose to average teams like Jets, NE, Cleveland. In the second half they found ways to win those games - and beat two teams the second time around.



All about perspective. Last year was a team in decline, with an aging QB and very little to be positive about moving forward. This season you have a young, improving QB surrounded by young talent. They may be close to the same level today as when the year ended last year, but much more reason for optimism moving forward.

Yes, they did improve from a bottom tier team to a mid tier that could scrape by other average teams. When looking at the 7-2 run, I see a 1-2 record against playoff teams who were both in their division, and one win over a Huntley-led Raven team. The stretch run lacks any substance. Fact remains this team has not shown it can hang with the top tier in the AFC or even NFC, so until then, some celebrate mediocrity like it's a badge of honor.

Optimism needs to remain below blind fanboyism levels. Let's start getting excited when they can actually compete with the upper tiered teams, and not just the ones in their division.