OK it's put up or shut up time for this team....

[Aged Steel]

I'm already over this loss. I guess we will all see what this '09 team is made of. Every game now is a must win for the Steelers to realistically ensure themselves a playoff spot. There are to many 4 and 5 loss teams right now trying to get 2 wild card spots.. This team has made to many mistakes and hasn't been able to close the door on some bad teams. This is the reason I have my doubts. I really hope they turn it around in a hurry. BUT... does this team have what it takes to repeat, or even just make the playoffs. Only time will tell... Stay tuned.

[Steelermania]

Despite the last two weeks, the playoffs are still easily within our reach. Jacksonville, Houston, and Baltimore are really the most serious competition for the two wild card spots. I'm actually glad we're playing the Rats next week. You know we'll be motivated for that.

[Tibs]

Gotta get rid of these uncharacteristic problems. Steelers led the league last year in k.o. coverage? This year's alottment is downright embarrassing. We can do better than Logan & Gay on coverage units. Stefan Logan hasn't tackled a guy since high school. Get some better tacklers out there... As far as bigger issues, too many guys jogging around on plays, not just on special teams. What's up with that?

[warriors42]

Despite the last two weeks, the playoffs are still easily within our reach. Jacksonville, Houston, and Baltimore are really the most serious competition for the two wild card spots. I'm actually glad we're playing the Rats next week. You know we'll be motivated for that.


I would have thought we would have motivated for this game after losing to the Bengals last week.

[njsteel]

Yes. They pretty much have to run the table now..

Can they do it? Absolutely. Will they? We will have to wait and see

[FREAKofSTEEL]

I think 10-6 get a wild card... But hopefully we Man up and do Better. Sad losses so far this year... we will see.

[Punxsutawney]

How they respond next week, coming off of two tough losses, will provide an indicator of how the rest of the season will go. If they lose to Ravens, that will mean the Steelers are probably sitting at home in January, IMO.

This team has been extremely frustrating to watch. Talent wise, they are an elite team, but they do not have the mentality of one. They have shown an absolute inability to sustain focus for 60 minutes.

[Southern Steeler]

Looks like next week is pretty much an elimination game. Already.

[ronburgundy]

Every game now is a must win for the Steelers to realistically ensure themselves a playoff spot.
It worked in '05. This year I'm not so sure. Upside, Mendenhall looked good again and frankly I thought Ben had a pretty decent game.


MT, show this at practice this week. Hell, watch it yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI

[jdsteeler]

Gotta get rid of these uncharacteristic problems. Steelers led the league last year in k.o. coverage? This year's alottment is downright embarrassing. We can do better than Logan & Gay on coverage units. Stefan Logan hasn't tackled a guy since high school. Get some better tacklers out there... As far as bigger issues, too many guys jogging around on plays, not just on special teams. What's up with that?

I do remember that in the Chargers game Logan tackled Sproles.....they made some joke about the two smallest guys in the NFL finally meeting. haha

[PJSkiboy]

The game against the Ratbirds next weekend is the measuring stick.

[dasimp01]

Why is Logan even kept on the roster?? He should've been sent packing with Harrison, who IMO was a scapegoat by Tomlin for his sh1tty ST's, Logan is horrible on coverage, and mark my words, he will fumble a PR or KR and cost us another game. Woods was just as bad, then he got a blocking penalty that cost us about 30 yards.

[cutty]

Despite the last two weeks, the playoffs are still easily within our reach. Jacksonville, Houston, and Baltimore are really the most serious competition for the two wild card spots. I'm actually glad we're playing the Rats next week. You know we'll be motivated for that.

I would like to think we would be motivated for next sunday against the rats, but didn't we think they would have ben motivated with the bungles coming to town last week? Sunday night is a must win at the rats home, case closed!!!

[fogdoctor]

Put up or shut up was last week. This week was time to shit or get off the pot. Next week will be knuckle up.

[z500zag]

Never thought I say this with Ben and out D, but this is not a team that can win 1 away playoff game, let alone 3. Our "put up or shut up" games were the last 2 weeks, and the whole team came out flat and lost, twice And these games exposed the same problems that have been there all year long. We'll beat up on a few dogs in the next few weeks, but honestly I'd rather lose a couple more:

(a) the only way to shake things up on the coaching staff is missing the playoffs
(b) this teams needs to get embarrassed, regroup and come back with more motivation next year -- from Ben on down
(c) beating a few dogs is just costing us draft pick slots at this point

[Punxsutawney]

Never thought I say this with Ben and out D, but this is not a team that can win 1 away playoff game, let alone 3. Our "put up or shut up" games were the last 2 weeks, and the whole team came out flat and lost, twice And these games exposed the same problems that have been there all year long. We'll beat up on a few dogs in the next few weeks, but honestly I'd rather lose a couple more:

(a) the only way to shake things up on the coaching staff is missing the playoffs
(b) this teams needs to get embarrassed, regroup and come back with more motivation next year -- from Ben on down
(c) beating a few dogs is just costing us draft pick slots at this point

Are you fucking serious?

I acknowledge that this team has some flaws right now, but so did the 2005 and 2008 teams. This team is 6-4 and is top 10 in the league in both offense and defense. It is not like they're 4-6.

Though the Steelers' championship prospects do not look too bright right now, it is way too fucking early to start looking forward to the offseason.

[VAN58STEELER]

Put up or shut up was last week. This week was time to shit or get off the pot. Next week will be knuckle up.

Finally a true fan who actually watches the games.

[Wig]

Punx, do you really think this team as they're playing right now wins a playoff game?

Honestly?

I'm not a gloom and doomer, but there's no way on earth that Arians can coach his way out of a paper bag and we have to plan on spotting any other playoff team at least 7 points in special teams. (And no, I'm not kidding or being sarcastic there... we should simply plan for it, write it into the game plan.)

Until they figure out their coaching situation and gain some confidence (which undoubtedly is pretty much shattered right now) I don't see them surviving in the playoffs. We lost in overtime to the Chiefs, this team has demonstrated ad nauseum that they cannot handle adversity. It's just the way it is right now. Huge changes are necessary for this team to turn things around.

Only 1 6th seed ever won the superbowl and the name of the team is the only thing these guys have in common with those guys. That 6th seed was imo the best 6th seed the playoffs had seen in years and years. If we manage to sneak in as a 6th seed, we'd be... a 6th seed, just happy to be there. That's not gloom and doom. That's realistic looksee at how they've handled themselves this year.

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

...Jacksonville, Houston, and Baltimore are really the most serious competition for the two wild card spots...

Does this mean I have to pull for the Titans tomorrow night?

Don't think I can do it, on principle...

[Steel Lavender]

I would have thought we would have motivated for this game after losing to the Bengals last week.

Exactly ....Then again, we were supposed to be motivated for THAT GAME, too!

I'm not sure what it's gonna take.

[Steel 83]

According to Ed Bouchette, Tomlin has given the Steelers Monday and Tuesday off this week, WTF

[WoodyHarrison]

I'm already over this loss. I guess we will all see what this '09 team is made of. Every game now is a must win for the Steelers to realistically ensure themselves a playoff spot. There are to many 4 and 5 loss teams right now trying to get 2 wild card spots.. This team has made to many mistakes and hasn't been able to close the door on some bad teams. This is the reason I have my doubts. I really hope they turn it around in a hurry. BUT... does this team have what it takes to repeat, or even just make the playoffs. Only time will tell... Stay tuned.

This team looks like they are playing not to lose. They are playing very similar football to 2005. The season changed when they got back to playing Steeler football... that game in Chicago was a classic...

I say bring in Coach Cowher to wipe the board clean and have Coach Tomlin write new season 0-0, 6 games to play. I mean it... have Tomlin call Cowher up and say I have this great idea for a motivational moment inspired by your 2005 season. "Bill, can you come in, pick up an eraser, erase everything on the board... and just walk OUT! I'll take it from there...."

The Steelers are playing not to lose... they need to forget they are returning champs and just play football. Tomlin needs to find a way to get these guys to relax and focus on the play at hand. The Steelers can still do it but its going to have to be very similar to 2005... Time to get on a roll or if not, fire BA... either way I'll be happy but more happy with another SB title.

[VAN58STEELER]

This team looks like they are playing not to lose. They are playing very similar football to 2005. The season changed when they got back to playing Steeler football... that game in Chicago was a classic...

I say bring in Coach Cowher to wipe the board clean and have Coach Tomlin write new season 0-0, 6 games to play. I mean it... have Tomlin call Cowher up and say I have this great idea for a motivational moment inspired by your 2005 season. "Bill, can you come in, pick up an eraser, erase everything on the board... and just walk OUT! I'll take it from there...."

The Steelers are playing not to lose... they need to forget they are returning champs and just play football. Tomlin needs to find a way to get these guys to relax and focus on the play at hand. The Steelers can still do it but its going to have to be very similar to 2005... Time to get on a roll or if not, fire BA... either way I'll be happy but more happy with another SB title.

Good points but there's no way in heaven that this team even has a chance at another SB this year. Last year, they played close to the vest, situational football. They never blinked and overcame a difficult schedule. Then, they were handed a gift of beatable teams in the playoffs to perfect their run. One game, winner takes all and they pulled it off. The cards lined up just right for them last year and they played relatively mistake free football in the last quarter of the season. Right now their habits are so bad that they've become entrenched. It just doesn't seem that they are capable of correcting their mistakes.

[obxsteeler]

Somebody was coaching an offense that put up over 500 yds.

[z500zag]

Somebody was coaching an offense that put up over 500 yds.

And that O is lucky to score 1 TD per game -- if not give the other team 1 also. Our red zone performance makes us look like the Dolphins of the last decade -- lots of field goals, lots of turnovers, and lots of losses in close games.

[mightyguru]

I've never seen so many dropped interceptions...wtf. What, have they dropped like 6 ints in the last 3 weeks?

[z500zag]

Are you fucking serious?

I acknowledge that this team has some flaws right now, but so did the 2005 and 2008 teams. This team is 6-4 and is top 10 in the league in both offense and defense. It is not like they're 4-6.

Though the Steelers' championship prospects do not look too bright right now, it is way too fucking early to start looking forward to the offseason.


Of course we could pull out some miracle and get O, D and ST's all playing well, and make a run. But let's be honest, limping into the playoffs as the #6 and winning it all or doing well, is a once in 30 years type of thing. If we were just flat and pathetic in some ways against the Bungholes (despite all the pre-game hype), that's one thing, but 2 weeks in a row we have crucial games, and we play completely uninspired... *and* most importantly, the same issues that have hurt the team all year are glaringly evident in both games.

We'll collect some victories with our weak remaining schedule, but I don't see the point. I always think Ben and our D can, and should, beat anyone on any given day, but that's only true when we play tough, motivated football -- and that's not what we've been doing this year (outside of some short stretches).

[SteelAddiction]

Personally I figured it would be put up or shut up time after the embarassaing performance against the Bungles. Maybe that is the problem, Mike and the Steelers can't agree on when "put up or shut up" starts any more than the fans :P