Strength of Schedule

[feltdizz]

Didn't see that game but Iooking at the score I would say it looked more like a CIN defense problem than a Joe Burrow problem. CIN only had the ball for a little over 23 minutes.

I guess when Steeler coaches have a couple of months to gameplan they can actually put together something decent. It's the weekly gameplans that have a lot to be desired

pretty good after bye weeks as well.. lol.

we need 5 of those every season.

[Flasteel]

If this team is on an improving arc, then I see 9-8 or even 10-7 as a distinct possibility, given that schedule. With the return of Watt and Kazee (and now Fitzpatrick) the defense certainly has the look and feel of a unit on the rise. The offense is fully capable and likely going to be better than the one that took the field in the first half of the season (how could it be worse?). The question for me is how much better will they be down the stretch? Marginally better? Markedly better? Anywhere between those goal posts, combined with the defensive improvement I expect, and a winning record is very much plausible.

This week's game will give us a good idea of the likelihood of that scenario. Beat a team we've already beaten, then the Steelers just have to take care of the easier matchups ahead, split with Baltimore, and avenge the loss to Cleveland. Certainly not out of the question!

[NorthCoast]

If this team is on an improving arc, then I see 9-8 or even 10-7 as a distinct possibility, given that schedule. With the return of Watt and Kazee (and now Fitzpatrick) the defense certainly has the look and feel of a unit on the rise. The offense is fully capable and likely going to be better than the one that took the field in the first half of the season (how could it be worse?). The question for me is how much better will they be down the stretch? Marginally better? Markedly better? Anywhere between those goal posts, combined with the defensive improvement I expect, and a winning record is very much plausible.

This week's game will give us a good idea of the likelihood of that scenario. Beat a team we've already beaten, then the Steelers just have to take care of the easier matchups ahead, split with Baltimore, and avenge the loss to Cleveland. Certainly not out of the question!

It's certainly possible. But I get a nagging feeling they got all puffed up with a win against a bad NO team and could slide back to ugliness in this game. The defense needs to set the tone (which is what we said to start the season). Two seasons in a row where Watt gets hurt early and the best laid plans get trashed.

[Shawn]

I actually agree with BAWB. I mean if we have a terrific run and go 8-9 thats great and all. But how much does that show us? That we can win against bad teams? The one good thing is if KP can gain some confidence against some scrub Ds I would see that as a win.

[NorthCoast]

I actually agree with BAWB. I mean if we have a terrific run and go 8-9 thats great and all. But how much does that show us? That we can win against bad teams? The one good thing is if KP can gain some confidence against some scrub Ds I would see that as a win.

You forgot. Tomlin always loses against bad teams... or maybe Tomlin forgot he loses against bad teams....

[Northern_Blitz]

It's certainly possible. But I get a nagging feeling they got all puffed up with a win against a bad NO team and could slide back to ugliness in this game. The defense needs to set the tone (which is what we said to start the season). Two seasons in a row where Watt gets hurt early and the best laid plans get trashed.

I don't think it's necessarily going to be hubris after the NO game.

I think that CIN is just a lot better than we are in the present.

[feltdizz]

I don't think it's necessarily going to be hubris after the NO game.

I think that CIN is just a lot better than we are in the present.

Was Cleveland a lot better than Cincinnati before the last game?

I bet most people thought so.. and they may be better on paper but division games don't give a damn about who is better. It's about who shows up on Sunday.

[Northern_Blitz]

Was Cleveland a lot better than Cincinnati before the last game?

I bet most people thought so.. and they may be better on paper but division games don't give a damn about who is better. It's about who shows up on Sunday.

Yep anything can happen. And it did happen in game 1. So I'm hoping lightning strikes again here.

But all Cincy has to do is get to ~ 20 pts and they likely win.

And their offense is still good even without Chase IMO.

Hopefully we get a game wrecking version of TJ for this game. And that Minkah can come back at 100%. We need the D to be very good IMO. I think it would also be great to have Najee put up one of the best games of his career here.

[feltdizz]

Yep anything can happen. And it did happen in game 1. So I'm hoping lightning strikes again here.

But all Cincy has to do is get to ~ 20 pts and they likely win.

And their offense is still good even without Chase IMO.

Hopefully we get a game wrecking version of TJ for this game. And that Minkah can come back at 100%. We need the D to be very good IMO. I think it would also be great to have Najee put up one of the best games of his career here.

I'm worried Minkah is coming back early.

[Northern_Blitz]

I'm worried Minkah is coming back early.

Apparently there is no risk to the appendix. I don't think Tomlin will let him play if there is too much risk (see Clark).

[Flasteel]

It's certainly possible. But I get a nagging feeling they got all puffed up with a win against a bad NO team and could slide back to ugliness in this game. The defense needs to set the tone (which is what we said to start the season). Two seasons in a row where Watt gets hurt early and the best laid plans get trashed.

That's why this game against the Bengals is so important. I look at it as the springboard to potentially turning this season around and placing this team on an upward trajectory. For those who are belly aching over putting together a streak against bad teams, how would you feel if we lost those games? As much as it is about putting together a winning season, it is also about building a path towards a winning future. These games ahead hold a great deal of meaning. It starts with Cincinatti.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

The good news is that even the optimistic 5-3 leaves them below .500, allows haters to finally see the loosing season that they've been wishing for. More importantly, it keeps them in the top 15 of the draft and should offer opportunity to snag a stud (hopefully OT).

[Shawn]

That's why this game against the Bengals is so important. I look at it as the springboard to potentially turning this season around and placing this team on an upward trajectory. For those who are belly aching over putting together a streak against bad teams, how would you feel if we lost those games? As much as it is about putting together a winning season, it is also about building a path towards a winning future. These games ahead hold a great deal of meaning. It starts with Cincinatti.

I haven't read one comment about "belly aching" over winning against bad teams. I do not believe it would mean much outside of a lower draft pick.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I haven't read one comment about "belly aching" over winning against bad teams. I do not believe it would mean much outside of a lower draft pick.

The negative nancies would complain either way - it's all they do

[TheRealTazz864]

The good news is that even the optimistic 5-3 leaves them below .500, allows haters to finally see the loosing season that they've been wishing for. More importantly, it keeps them in the top 15 of the draft and should offer opportunity to snag a stud (hopefully OT).

I like coaches that have a tight season, win or lose, Tomlin doesn't allow any loose play, I mean, Tomlin doesn't allow music.... that's pretty tight...