That's a Pretty Big Loss by the Steelers...

[patsox23]

No one seems to be talking about it today, but the Steelers losing to Denver is significant in a couple of (possibly obvious) ways:

1) unmuddies the HFA situation (I know it's early)

2) tells me Pitt isn't as elite as some like to think

They can play some smashmouth and all, but they didn't scare me BEFORE this game. "Now you go and lose to Denver?!" he exclaimed, suddenly aware of the irony due to the Pats' struggles in Mile High (and elsewhere) over the years.

Anyway, I was VERY happy to see that. Shoves one more unworthy HFA foe aside as we get ready for the showdown in a couple weeks - at which point we will blow the doors off Indy for a yawner of a double-digit victory.

 

[Rob0729]

I was surprised how bad the Steelers defense played. On some downs they were monsterous, but others they were porous. They gave up far too many third and really longs last night.

Maybe Pittsburgh isn't as good as people think they are and just snuck up on teams.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

2) tells me Pitt isn't as elite as some like to think

Looks that way. They had what looked like a hiccup game losing to Arizona but now that looks a little more real and that the Steelers are just another good team. I was falling into the "what about the Steelers" trap but not anymore; that said, I still have that penciled in as our one loss coming on a short week after playing the physical Baltimore team.

 

[Sporin]

I've had teh Steelers D on my fantasy team all year and they have been sensational... last night they stunk it up.

What worries me about Pitt vs NE is that Willie Parker will really push our rush D and if we stop Parker, Big Ben can hurt us through the air. It will be a tough game for the Pats's, I'm confident the Pats will win, but it won't be easy.

 

[bradmahn]

I've had teh Steelers D on my fantasy team all year and they have been sensational... last night they stunk it up.

What worries me about Pitt vs NE is that Willie Parker will really push our rush D and if we stop Parker, Big Ben can hurt us through the air. It will be a tough game for the Pats's, I'm confident the Pats will win, but it won't be easy.

They've suddenly developed a pretty good WR corps in Pittsburgh, and Parker's been really good since '05 really, but Roethlisberger is/has been/will be against BB, an average quarterback who's been protected by the system. I looked into it in the offseason to rebutt someone's claim that Ben's an elite QB, and don't remember the numbers entirely off the top of my head, but in games he's had to throw more than like 25-30 passes (or so) the team has a pedestrian win/loss record. The way the Pats beat the Steelers is to contain Parker for just enough time to jump out to a substantial lead, forcing Ben to play catch-up.

 

[BradyManny]

It really is Pats, Colts and everybody else. I'm sure the Baltimore and Steelers games will still be battles, but on paper, and so far in their execution, the Pats and the Colts are just on another level.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Steelers' nickel package couldn't stop Denver's passing game. We're talking Jay Cutler w/o Javon Walker. Look for the Pats to spread Pittsburgh out on 12/9.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Silverquick]

Its too early to write the Steelers off. For that matter, its too early to write the Broncos off.

Pittsburgh is not as good on defense as it once was, but they are certainly better on offense now. Big Ben and his WRs are playing well and Parker is a big playmaker. Heath Miller is also doing very well. The D needs some better cornerbacks though, they really need to improve in that area if they want to compete with New England and Indy.

As for Denver, I think that as long as Shanahan is their coach, they will be a solid team. Perhaps they arent looking that great yet, but they are missing Walker and I think that when he gets back their offense will improve. They are really porous up front on defense though, their D-line needs to get some help.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Its too early to write the Steelers off. For that matter, its too early to write the Broncos off.

Pittsburgh is not as good on defense as it once was, but they are certainly better on offense now. Big Ben and his WRs are playing well and Parker is a big playmaker. Heath Miller is also doing very well. The D needs some better cornerbacks though, they really need to improve in that area if they want to compete with New England and Indy.

As for Denver, I think that as long as Shanahan is their coach, they will be a solid team. Perhaps they arent looking that great yet, but they are missing Walker and I think that when he gets back their offense will improve. They are really porous up front on defense though, their D-line needs to get some help.

Did you watch that game? Ben is what Cowher and Whisenhut knew he was, a potential liability if given the leeway his ego demands. Tomlin may have begun to realize that last night. He's maddeningly inconsistent because in his heart of hearts he too wants to be a gunslinger. Probably because he isn't smart enough to read defenses consistently and since the face plant he isn't as quick on his feet either. He had some nearly Bledsoe-esque moments in that game last night that really cost them. Sacks, fumbles, strip sack, not to mention the bonehead INTS. Yeah, he can make some plays but he can also kill you on the next series. At halftime Tomlin told Suzy "we have to get the ball out of Ben's hands..." LOL One reason Cowher left is he knew after 2005 and 2006 that would be easier said than done.

 

[ALP]

pitt is not considered an elite anymore by me...

b4 last week i thought our 3 matchups which were gonan give us trouble this year were gonna be the game at miami, colts, and pitt...

miami got destroeyd, in miami, and pitt got handed loss number 2...

week nine is wut im waiting for now...week 9 and nothing else

 

[Fencer]

I had a post written that for some reason didn't go up suggesting this was now a two-team race.

I can envision one of the Pats or Colts stumbling and being overtaken by other teams. But I can't easily envision them BOTH doing so.

Whichever of the Pats or Colts is better will probably be the Super Bowl Champion. I think the odds for the whole rest of the league combined are well under 50% right now.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

What worries me about Pitt vs NE is that Willie Parker will really push our rush D and if we stop Parker, Big Ben can hurt us through the air. It will be a tough game for the Pats's, I'm confident the Pats will win, but it won't be easy.

Parker will be a big challenge for NE's run D, but I have to disagree on Big Ben being able to win through the air. I expect to see Rodney playing 5th LB all game.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Parker will be a big challenge for NE's run D, but I have to disagree on Big Ben being able to win through the air. I expect to see Rodney playing 5th LB all game.

On the road let alone at Gillette facing BB and trying to keep pace with Brady and this offense, Ben will be good for at least a couple of turnovers. And absent Cowher and following one for the thumb and some big deals or guys leaving to cash in elsewhere, that just isn't the same team we faced in 2003-2004. And we handled them with a lot less weapons on offense.

 

[carolinatony]

The Squeers are a good team. Nothing more.
Please don't compare Big Ben to Brady

 

[zoostation]

pitt is not considered an elite anymore by me...

I didn't consider them elite the year they won one for the thumb. Vanderjerk gave them that ring.

 

[ATippett56]

Steelers are great at home, average on the road.

 

[ALP]

Steelers are great at home, average on the road.

i would rate that more as horrible on the road...

 

[ATippett56]

i would rate that more as horrible on the road...

I was kind in my evaluation of the Steelers road play.

 

[patsox23]

Steelers are great at home, average on the road.

We will kill Pittsburgh, home or away.

 

[livinginthe past]

The Steelers are a balanced team - okay on offense, okay on defense - which should see them to 10 wins or so this year.

Willie Parker really is a great RB, especially when you consider the lack of help he gets from the underpowered O-Line - though its been a little while (San Diego a few years back?) since we were truly unable to defend the run ourselves.

The WR corps is so-so - Hines is a good possession receiver and Santonio Holmes shows some stretch the field ability - but after that, its a whole lot of nothing.

Both sides of the ball are struggling to establish an identity - there was an awful lot of fraudulent talk in the pre-season about how the Steelers offense would spread'em wide - fact is they are woefully short of talent in the two areas that you need to make that system work - O-line and WR corps.

I don't think Arians has won over the Steelers faithful after last night pass wacky opening half against one of the worst run D's in the NFL.

Roethlisberger is a great scrapper - he spent most of last night running for his life but isn't exactly cerebral when it comes to analysing what the opponents D is showing.

He will allow ego/stubbornness to make him throw forced passes into double/triple coverage - especially deep ones.

Part of this is probably down to trying to prove that he can be a great QB in the mould of Brady/Manning.

This team is above average, mostly due to the fact they aren't woefully imbalanced toward one facet of the game, like the Ravens or Cincy - they don't have the weapons on either side of the ball to hurt us.