How confident are you guys/gals?

[costanza2k1]

That we'll win...I have to admit that I'm getting very nervous right now. It's like media day for the players, people are just slamming me with questions and filling me with doubt heading into this game. I haven't felt this way all year. Talk me down please. What are the reasons why we'll win this game???

[steeld95]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I think I am actually getting more confident as the week goes on. I was more nervous last week. From seeing all the interviews with our players, it is evident that they are there to do a job. I think the only way we don't win is by us losing the game, not them beating us.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I am wildly fluctuating still.

But I am always that way.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I am not always the eternal optimist, but I am really confident for this game. To the point where I am predicting a 10+ point win.

[RKSteel]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

Defense wins championships.

[Jigawatts]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I'm confident we'll win, but I always worry about the bad bounces, bad calls, and general bad breaks that swing the momentum in the other teams favor. I know we're the better team and the only way we lose is if we catch those bad breaks.

[Steeler Shades]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I'm not too confident.
The Cards are the type of team that gives our defense trouble. Decent O-Line, great receivers and a QB that makes quick reads and gets rid of the ball fast. I think overall we're are a better team but if we get into a shooting match (ie. Eagles NFCC) I don't like our chances.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I was confident we would win, but thought that the Cardinals could give us a decent game. There have been numerous Super Bowls that have been reasonable close this decade.

Then something like this happens.



Now we will lay the smack down upon them mercilessly. It will be more like that stretch of non-competitive Super Bowls in the 80's when the Raiders spanked the Redskins, the Niners trashed the Dolphins, the Bears whipped the Pats, the Giants and Redskins both beat up on Denver, etc.

"The Terrible Towel is poised to strike and so are the Steelers." -the late, great Myron Cope

[Steelgal]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I'm worried about our offense starting slow, like they seem to do quite often...... If the Cards have a couple of good series right off of the bat and score, that's my big fear. I don't want to be down by 10 points or more in the 1st quarter. While our defense is amazing, I'm worried they'll have to do too much with a slow-starting offense.

I know Ben has made some amazing comebacks, but not sure my blood pressure or heart can take it in this game. I'm really hoping his less-than-stellar performance in Superbowl XL makes him come out on fire.

[Sugar]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

Hey, they beat the Eagles. Ya know, the one team that most agree beat us (as opposed to us beating ourselves) this year. I know one team beating the other doesn't follow, but I'm just sayin...

[NC Steeler Fan]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I just know I never talk trash before the game....

But, defense DOES win championships; we have to stop fitzgerald.

Our D will also be on fire with the rumors of Lebeau's retirement too.

I think the fact that most of our guys have been there already vs. the cards
acting like they've already won the world may be a big difference in
our favor as well.

That and them trashing the Terrible Towel keep me cautiously optimistic...

[mshifko]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

it's going to be a good game...i don't think i should expect anything else...i feel confident in our guys, but i mean i'd be lying if i said i was not worried about the cards...they're a good football team with a scary offense...plus i think back to last season when we couldn't run the ball against them...i know it was a year ago but still...

i think it's going to be close guys i really do...i think our guys have that resiliency that will overcome the adversity yet again

[papillon]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

Don't let the talking heads and mediots sway you from what you know. Just because you repeat something over and over doesn't make it true. You've watched the Steelers play 18 games this season and you know what they do well, what they do poorly and what they do inconsistently; formulate your own match ups and opinions about the game and you'll become more calm and assured.

I have watched this Steeler team all year and I am convinced they are one of the most focused and prepared Steeler football teams I have ever watched play football.

Start with the offense:

Ben is playing the best football of the year right now.
Willie Parker is healthy. If willie Parker rushes the ball 22+ plus times this game is over.
Holmes is proving to be a handful in the open field and is getting open
Heath Miller is a first down machine
Mewelde Moore fills in nicely as the third down specialty back and giving Willie a breather.
The offensive line is not nearly as offensive as they were at the beginning of the year.

The special teams:

Some let downs in the playoffs, but overall very good in coverage in this year.
We only need Mitch Berger to not have a punt blocked and it's a positive play
Jeff Reed is automatic
Greg Warren's replacement hasn't had a bad snap since he took over the duties
The return game is adequate and all the Steelers need them to do is not fumble the ball.

The defense:

Talk is that Kurt Warner is going to carve them up; they gave up one 300 yard game all year. If the Cardinals get 300 yards it will be because, the game is over and they are scoring garbage points with the Steelers playing prevent.

The Cardinals offense will be one dimensional; a lot better running teams in the NFL have tried and failed to move the ball on the ground against the Steelers. This Sunday will be no different.

Woodley is healthy and pushing people around like rag dolls. He may not get a sack, but, Kurt Warner will be uncomfortable in the pocket.

Harrison is, well, Harrison. He will be held, but, he'll escape for a few big plays in this game for sacks or losses.

The secondary has quietly done their job and many people are crediting the pass rush. The pass rush has helped, but, rewatch the Ravens game and count how many times the announcers had to say, "There wasn't anyone open downfield and that's why Flacco had to throw the ball away." Our secondary can cover long enough to give the pass rush time to get to Warner.

The defensive line has not been pushed around all year by better offensive lines than the Cardinals. There's no reason to believe it will begin Sunday.

Do you feel better now?

Pappy

[msp26505]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?



I'm mostly concerned by my lack of concern.

I feel I should fear the loss more than I do, but I think the Steelers are at least two touchdowns better than the Cards.

Thankfully, I don't play the game.

[williar]

Re: How confident are you guys/gals?

I"m confident, but I'm still nervous as heck. I'm like that for all of the games though. I do believe it's going to be a tough game, and all of that pregame hype is not going to fly in this game. I believe the team that wants it the most and plays like it, is going to win. We are going to have to play our best overall game yet to win. More importantly, our offense is going to have to score some touchdowns to take some pressure off of the defense.