Sporting News is out with their 6 non-playoff teams in 2009 that will be in the postseason in 2010. The Steelers are their second team on the list – here’s what they have to say:
Over the past decade or so, the Steelers have demonstrated an unusual trend. When expectations are high, they fail to meet them. When expectations are low, they surpass them.
This year, expectations have fallen, thanks to an extremely disappointing 2009 season that made them one of the three AFC teams that failed to get back after qualifying for the postseason in 2008. Coupled with the Ben Roethlisberger fiasco, Pittsburgh fans have prepared themselves even more thoroughly for a disappointing season.
But if the Steelers can weather the first four games of the season (or six if Roethsliberger’s suspension isn’t reduced), re-commit to the running game and keep safety Troy Polamalu healthy, they can get back to the postseason.
This is pretty much spot on with my feelings, as this team usually steps up when people don’t have them high on the radar. One big key will be the defense’s ability to bounce back after allowing way too many fourth quarter points. Here’s hoping the Sporting News is on with this prediction.
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DrGeorge
June 24, 2010 at 10:28 am
SN is singing our song, Matt, except for that curious omission of rebuilding a defense which allowed way too many points, especially in the 4th Qtr — a deficiency remedied in your comment on the SN article.
I can’t help wondering how SN missed the obvious? As inept as the Steelers were last year at rushing and pass protection, they would still have made the playoffs if the defense were at the level it achieved in the prior years. The Steelers organization made a well publicized efforts, via free agency and the draft, to rebuild that side of the line. Only time will tell if the problem is fixed. But SN seems oblivious to the problem itself and the Steelers attempted solution. Wonder why?
mark
June 25, 2010 at 6:31 am
Any Steeler fan knows that even last years team was a playoff team if not for a few plays in a 5 game stretch that sunk the season. The team seems to have made the right moves in the off season in an effort to “right the ship”. It is too easy to count the team out because of the Ben thing, but this team will be in every game this year with or without him. When he gets back, they will win more than they lose, so 10 wins is not out of the question.I, for one, would be shocked if the team flounders all year and ends up 8-8 or less like some have predicted. One publication has the Steelers finishing behind the Ravens AND the Bengals! Right now the Ravens are the designer pick to win the North. Ok, but does anyone expect them to steamroll the Steelers and take that title? I dont. All we have heard since March is: Ravens-Jets AFC Championship game. The Steelers, Patriots, Colts and Chargers might have something to say about that.Schedule,injuries,suspensions,etc..it does not matter. Thats why the games are played on the field, not on paper!
tom dorsey
July 11, 2010 at 8:31 am
yeah you lost to the chiefs and the raiders you think your gonna have a chance this season yeah right