But again the Steelers settled for field goals on key possessions and looked outmatched in the second half. Minus a number of critical penalties and a dropped touchdown the Steelers likely lose that game.

But I will take it.  The Steelers remain in the playoff hunt.

It comes down to beating Miami and then hoping the Bengals and Patriots win even with nothing on the line. Here is a scenario where the Steelers make it (you can change it to see how various scenarios play out).

Things are more precarious thanks to the, in my opinion, stupid way the Colts pissed away the chance for a perfect season by giving the lackluster Jets new life by sitting Peyton Manning and other key starters.

But if Cincinnati beats the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! And the Patriots beat the Texans then the Steelers are in (provided they win as well). Normally you would say the odds are good but the Texans and Jets are playing for a playoff spot and their opponents are playing for nothing. That makes me very nervous. But the Steelers put themselves in this position so that’s life.

In some ways it doesn’t matter. If the Steelers win their last three games and finish 9-7 but miss the playoffs it will be disappointing for sure. But with two Super Bowls in four years it is hard to get irate about 9-7.

On the other hand, it would be interesting to see the Steelers in the playoffs with a healthy Troy Palamalu.  They are an experienced group and are very familiar with all the teams they might face. Be nice to have a chance to get hot and make another Super Bowl run.

In reality, the way the defense is playing I can’t see the Steelers getting to the Super Bowl against teams like New England, Indy and San Diego (picture Randy Moss and Wes Welker wrecking havoc in the secondary in the Wild Card game for example).

But we live to fight another day at this point. And as I said above, I will take it.

Was it disturbing that the defense was clearly incapable of stopping the Packers and Coach Tomlin knew that and hence his decision to try an onside kick? Yes, it was.  Troy Polomalu’s absence is a killer in the middle of the secondary and big plays happen there with tragic regularity.

But that the Steelers came up with the plays they needed to win helps take the pain away from knowing the defense just isn’t up to its usual standards.

The Steelers playoff scenario as I understand it below.

I think this is an accurate explanation of the way the Steelers can make the playoffs:

1) Steelers win out, going 9-7
2) Ravens lose to the Steelers and win their other two, going 9-7.
3) Dolphins lose to the Steelers, going 9-7 (or worse).
4) Jets lose at least two of their last three (ATL, @IND, CIN), going 8-8.
5) Jaguars lose at least one of their last two (@NE, @CLE), going 8-8.
6) Tennessee and Houston each lose at least one more (both play Miami), going 8-8.
7) Denver loses at least two of their last three (OAK, @PHI, KC), going 9-7.

To figure out the #5 seed, you’d compare Baltimore, Miami and Denver. All three would have conference records of 7-5, so it goes to common opponents (NE, PIT, IND, SD). Miami has a record of 1-4 against those four teams, and Baltimore and Denver would each be 2-3. So you drop Miami, and Baltimore gets the top spot because Baltimore beat Denver head-to-head.

To figure out the #6 seed, you’d compare Miami, Pittsburgh and Denver. Pittsburgh will have won head-to-head against both teams, so they would get the last playoff spot.

This is not a slam dunk but it is certainly possible:

• Jets lost to Atlanta so all we need is a loss to either Indy or Cinci.
• Denver lost to Oakland and has a tough game against Philly.
• New England will play a big role as they play the Jags and Texans. I will be rooting for the Pats.
• The Titans have a tough game against a surging Chargers team.

If all the 7-7 teams lose one except for the Steelers that leaves the Ravens and Broncos. If Steelers tie with Ravens they lose thanks to division record. If they tie with Broncos they win because of head to head. But I think it all three tie at 9-7 then the Steelers and Ravens would win because they both beat Denver.

But first things first.  The Steelers have to beat the Ravens!

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There is no other word to describe a team that was supposed to be fighting for its playoff life and the right to defend its Super Bowl title, yet was thoroughly outplayed by the 1-11 Browns, an opponent that — quoting safety Ryan Clark now — “even a bad Pittsburgh Steelers team should be able to beat every time.”

There is no other word to describe a team that has lost five games in a row, including three to the worst that the NFL has to offer — the Browns, the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.

There is no other word to describe a team that, by all indications, has quit on the Rooneys, Tomlin, their fans and — most egregiously — themselves.

Losers.

– Ron Cook

My quick thoughts post from earlier today was a mix of wrong and mostly right.  The Steelers didn’t run the ball as well as I thought as the Cardinals got good penetration in the second half in particular (but the Cardinals didn’t even try to run really).  I also think that Willie Parker is simply not a power back who can run between the tackles.  When they needed power running they didn’t have it.

As I feared Larry Fitzgerald made a number of big plays and the screen plays and dump offs to the running backs hurt the Steelers. At times the defense pressured Warner but he also had time in the fourth quarter to move the ball down the field.

For most of the game Ben had time to throw but in the red zone they couldn’t punch it in, but then it looked to me like the offensive line just wore out in the fourth quarter.  The Cardinals D were running through the Steelers at that point.  Let’s face it, that has to be one of the least talented O lines to win a Super Bowl.

Luckily the punt game didn’t come back to haunt them.

But when the game was on the line Ben Roethlisberger did make the clutch plays.  Santonio Holmes came up huge and like so many times this season the Steelers won a game that wasn’t all that pretty at times.

The game seemed to swing on big plays.  Harrison’s epic interception return of course.  But Boldin had a 45 yard catch that set up the Cards first TD (a great catch by the TD after Warner stumbled).  And Fitzgerlad had the big 64-yarder to take the lead.  Add in the Steelers having to settle for field goals, and the crtical saftey, and the Steelers couldn’t put the game away.

I obviously would have prefered the Steelers control the game and hold off the furious comeback, rather than being forced to stage their own, but in the end my prediction (30-23) wasn’t all that far off from the final 27-23.

Plus, I am happy that Ben could engineer that drive and play a crucial part in winning the game.  After the SB a couple years back I know he must feel good knowing that when the game was on the line he didn’t let his team down.

And with that offensive line and with the toughest schedule in football I think winning a Super Bowl is an incredible achievement.  Go Steelers!

P.s. Please draft an offensive lineman or two.  Thanks.

• The Steelers will run the ball and the Cardinals won’t.  Willie Parker will get outside and rip off some big runs, IMO.  I don’t think the Cardinals will be able to run and I am not sure they will try that much.
• The Steelers will get to Kurt Warner.  I know, I know Warner has a quick release and reads the blitz well.  But he can also get out of sync and struggle.  I think the Steelers will get pressure and hit Warner and thus get the Cardinals out of rhythm.  I think the Steelers might give up some plays and yardage, but I think they keep the Cardinal offense frum putting up a lot of points.
• I don’t think the Cardinals pass rush will put the kind of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger than gives the Steelers trouble.  They simply aren’t like the Titans and Ravens in the way they bring the pass rush.  If Ben has time like he did against San Diego he will have a nice day and the Steelers will move the ball.  I also think Nate Washington or Santonio Holmes will get a big play because Ben makes something happen.
• I think the Cardinals play a whole lot better at home.  The game in Carolina doesn’t count since Jake Dellhome played one of the worst big games in the history of professional sports.  If the Steelers turn the ball over five times of course they lose.  I don’t see Ben approaching that kind of suckitude – I just don’t.  The Steelers have been playing big games all year and Ben really seems to have figured out how not to lose games for his team down the stretch.

Things that worry me:

• Larry Fitzgerald.  Well, duh.  I am not worried about big plays in terms of yardage but points.  If the Steelers can keep the Cards to field goals that is a big win.  If Fitzgerald gets free for a touchdown early it is a great equalizer.  The Steelers have a great Red Zone offense so not allowing the big touchdown play is important.
• Punting.  The Steelers punting is awful.  I just want Mitch Berger not to shank one in a critical situation.  The Steelers allowed the Ravens to hang around thanks to critical penalties and bad punts.  You can’t give an offense like the Cardinals that kinds of advantage.
• Screens.  The Steelers are vulnerable to running back screens and the Cardinals are good at them.  This couled be another area for big plays.

I think if Fast Willie runs well and Ben plays smart the Steelers defense will do the job and the Cardinals won’t be able to put up the points neccesaary to win.  I see the Steelers giving up some yardage but controling the game and winning 30-23.

To be honest, if you had told me that the Steelers would make the Super Bowl with this offensive line and their brutal schedule I am not sure I would not have believed you.  Of course, I am not sure how many people predicted that the defense would be this good.

Last night’s game was a typical Steelers Ravens affair: brutal hitting and close fought with the team that made the big plays winning the game.  Troy Palamolu was huge as you would expect.  And I thought Ben played very well.  He didn’t try to do too much and he made plays.  He just looks comfortable leading this team.  Even when the line breaks down he can buy time and make plays.  That veteran leadership and athleticism is a great asset.

A few thoughts below.

- As noted above, the Steelers won 12 games facing one of the toughest schedule in recent memory.  They faced both teams who ended up as #1 seeds in the AFC and NFC (Titans and Giants) plus 4 other playoff teams (Eagles, Colts, Chargers, Ravens).  Only the Texans, Bengals, and Browns were what you would call “easy” games.  Think of how the Steelers second half of the season went: Giants, at Redskins, Colts, Chargers, Bengals at Patriots, Cowboys, at Ravens, at Titans, Browns.  The Steelers went 7-3 in that stretch.

- I think this team has good chemistry and knows how to win.  Late in the game I think Ben and company know how to make the plays.  That is great for the team’s, and the fans, confidence.

- When Ben is healthy and doesn’t turn the ball over the Steelers are just real hard to beat.  The offense can usually make one or two big plays and the defense just doesn’t allow a lot of points.  So they are in every single game.  And as Polamalu showed last night, they often change the game by making big plays.

- Santonio Holmes has really turned into a playmaker.  He has come up big in the second half of the season and had a huge touchdown in both playoff games.  He is a real threat if he gets the ball with room to run.

- Willie Parker is healthy but he is still not the kind of bruising runner that will allow the Steelers to grind out a win late in the game.  If he has space and can get outside he is capable of big plays.  And against less talented defenses he can put up good yardage.  But against a real physical front seven I am just not sure he can get the job done in the way Steelers fans are used to.

- If Hines Ward is not healthy that is a big problem.  He is the clutch WR and has a big impact on the kind of coverage teams play the Steelers with.  It was clear that the Ravens had an easier time once Ward was out last night.  The two week time off should help Ward thank goodness.

- When it comes to the Cardinals the big focus is on Fitzgerald and for good reason.  The man is nearly unstoppable.  And the Steelers can be vulnerable to the big play and the big physical receiver.

- But I think the Steelers defense will be a real test of Kurt Warner’s new found confidence.  I am not sure he has faced a defense quite as physical and intimidating as the Steelers.

- I also think Arizona just plays at a higher level when they are at home.  The Super Bowl is going to have a very different feel than a home game for the Cardinals.  The Steelers fans travel in droves and the Steelers play well on the road in these type of games.

- I think the key is going to be ball control and big plays.  They have to force Warner to make mistakes while avoiding giving up easy points. If the Steelers don’t turn the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities they get IMO they win.  If they make mental errors, turn the ball over, or give up big plays then Arizona has the offensive firepower to make the Steelers pay.

- Last night a few critical errors allowed the Ravens to be in the ball game when the Steelers had a chance to put it away early.  They simply can’t give Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald that chance.

I can’t beleive the Steelers are going for Super Bowl win number six.  To have the chance to have the most SB wins in history is awesome.  I only wish the game was this weekend instead of in two weeks.

“Every block, every tackle — none of them are done casually,” said Steelers radio broadcaster Tunch Ilkin, who played in Pittsburgh from 1980 to 1992. “They’re all done with full intensity and malicious intent. If you have a chance to rub a guy’s face in the dirt on a tackle, you do. If you can put a knee in a guy’s back to help yourself get up, you do it.

Source.

The Steelers 35-24 win was just what Steelers fans were hoping for.  After a suprising bomb – made possible by both a great throw and a nice catch – had them down 7-0, Santonio Holmes brough the Steelers right back with a 67-yard punt return for a TD.

The Steelers had a 14-10 lead at half thanks to a nice drive at the end of the first half.  But, as any news report will tell you, the game really changed in the third quarter. The Steelers took their first possession of the second half and drove the field to score on a Heath Miller TD reception to make it 21-10.

Then a couple of weird plays.  Darren Sproles takes the kickoff all the way down the the Steelers 23 yard lines in what looks to put the Chargers right back in the game.  But on the very next play Rivers’s pass was tipped and the Steelers intercepted.

Another penalty killed the Steelers drive and forced them to punt.  But the punt hit a Chargers helmet and the Steelers had the ball again.  Oddly enough the Steelers couldn’t put the ball in the end zone even with fourth and inches.  Would these turnovers add up to nothing?

The Steelers forced the Chargers to punt and Roethlisberger once again went deep.  This time Nate Washington was in great position but was interefered with in the endzone.  First and goal on the one.  Gary Russell’s one yard TD run made the game 27-10 and the Chargers were in desperation mode from that point on.  After the teams exchanged TD drives there just wasn’t enough time left for a comeback.This game was a dream for Steelers fans for a number of reasons:

- Big special teams plays.

- Ben Roethlisberger looked as sharp as he has been in some time.  In fact, were it not for a few near miss deep balls this game could have gotten out of hand earlier.

- Willie Parker looked equally sharp and ran with quickness and determination finishing with 146 yards and 2 TDs.

- The defense gave up some yards and some big plays (two plays combined for 103 yards) but when the game was really on the line the defense played great.  From two minutes into the second quarter until nine minute into the fourth the chargers were held scoreless.  This allowed the Steelers to build a lead and control the game.

I think this shows that both Ben and Willie were banged up most of the season.  Roethlisberger has been struggling with injuries all year, but he looked great tonight.  Ditto Willie Parker.

Now the Steelers face the hated, and nails tough, Baltimore Ravens.  Each of the previous games were black and blue battles.  I think, however, that the Steelers are far more rested and healthy than the Ravens.  The Ravens are on an incredible run, much like the Steelers in their Super Bowl season, but I am not sure they have it in them for another tough game.

Is Joe Flacco ready for another playoff game against a great defense?  Can hat defense come up big on the road yet again?  I don’t know.

The Titans beat the Ravens in nearly every category but penalties and turnovers cost them the game.  If he Steelers keep the penalties down and don’t tunr the ball over I think they win.  I think a healthy Roethsliberger and Parker will be too much for the banged up Ravens.  With the game, and a chance at the Super Bowl, I think I Ben Roethlisberger has an advantage over the rookie Flacco and the Ravens.

Cassel Sacked

The recipe remains the same: don’t turn the ball over, stay balanced, and let the defense work its magic.

The game started out exactly the wrong way, however, as Roethlisberger threw an interception on the first possession and New England cashed in for a touchdown.

After Pittsburgh tied the game, another key series set up dominant second half.  The Patriots moved down the field thanks to a big draw play by Kevin Faulk.  It looked like they would take the lead before half.  But Randy Moss dropped a open touchdown pass and Gostkowski missed the field goal attempt.  Coming away with no points had to be deflating.

The Steelers then dominated the second half with four sacks and five turnovers leading to outscoring the Pats 23-0.  James Harrison made Matt Cassel’s miserable and both Mewelde Moore and Willie Parker ran the ball well.  Ben spread the ball around (Hine Ward and Santonio Holmes had TDs but Nate Washington and Heath Miller played important roles).  This was Steeler football.

And this is the pattern the Steelers need to follow moving forward.  The defense is good enough to keep them in every game.  The offense needs to protect the football and take advantage of opportunities.  If they can do that then they can take this team all the way to the Super Bowl.

But first things first.  The Steelers have a daunting schedule.  Next up is another traditional rival: the Dallas Cowboys.  If they can get to Tony Romo like they did Matt Cassel then they will be in good shape.  Dallas is a good team, but they haven’t protected Romo that well this season and the Steelers should be able to take advantage of that: shut down the run and make them one dimensional.

Next comes the Ravens.  This is a must win.  Win this game and they take the division.  And again the recipe is the same: stop the run, avoid turnovers, and force Flaco to make them instead.

After these two tough games comes the best team in the AFC the Tennessee Titans.  But the focus really doesn’t change.  But given the strength of the Titans defensive line, the focus most also be on the offensive line and the protection of Roethlisberger.  If they give Ben time to throw he can make the plays.  If he feels constantly under the gun the temptation to force it downfield will grow.  Ben has to resist this temptation.

The season wraps up with the reeling Browns.  If the Steelers win the above three they might be resting players at this point.  If not this is a classic example of a don’t beat yourself game.

If the Steelers win three of their last four – and beat Baltimore – they should win their division and get the first week bye.  By beating quality teams they will also show themselves ready to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Beating the Patriots was great but Steeler fans won’t be satisfied with that for long.  There is too much left to accomplish.  Next week offers another opportunity to beat a rival and keep the good feelings coming.