All looked bleak. Even I, the king of "silver linings" had counted the Steelers out of the playoff hunt. Then, the Broncos lost to the Seahawks on Monday night...and I started believing that the Steelers might still have a chance at the playoffs.
The first thing that obviously has to occur is that the Steelers need to win out...which is indeed possible. Then, the Chargers have to beat Denver and Kansas City. Similarly, Baltimore needs to beat Kansas City this weekend [Note: I feel all icky inside having to root for the Ravens.] Meanwhile, the Bengals have to lose a game or two (in addition to the game that they would lose to Pittsburgh, when the Steelers win out). Finally, the New York (Jets) and Jacksonville need to do what they do best: lose every other game. In short, there is indeed a possibility that Pittsburgh could creep into the playoffs as a wild card.
Of course, the nay-sayers are already pointing out that the Steelers would get "killed" in the playoffs, so why even try. Um....if that were the mentality of football, then the Raiders would never have beaten the Steelers earlier this season. Furthermore, even without the "on any given Sunday" rationale, the Steelers are a pretty darn good team; it is just that they have had a string of horrible luck (e.g. passes bouncing off of helmets, being intercepted, and returned for touchdowns). Statistically, the Steelers are more dominant this year than they were last year...aside from the turnovers.
Speaking of turnovers, in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Roethlisberger's second pass attempt was intercepted. All I can say is: at least he got it out of his system early. Really though, Ben was confident, poised, and accurate for the rest of the game. In other words, he is looking healthier and playing better each and every week. Hence, by the time the playoffs roll around, he might actually be back to 100%.
Speaking of 100%, the secondary is a patchwork of back-ups...who are playing out of their minds. Tyrone Carter looks like he is not only playing Troy Polamalu's position (while Troy is nursing a knee injury), but he is embodying the wild-haired one's demeanor, as well. Bryant McFadden has continued to do what he has done since he arrived in the NFL: make plays. And, Anthony Smith is tackling people the way it is suppose to be done: wrapping up and driving through the ball carrier. In other words, the secondary is becoming more experienced, better, and deeper with every passing week.
And, do not tell anyone, but a semblance of a pass rush was spotted.
In summary, the game against the Buccaneers was far from flawless, but there was plenty upon which to build. If the Steelers improve every week, and somehow the cards all align to allow them into the playoffs...all I can say to the other teams in the NFL is "Watch out!"
