From this article: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/11...edule-context/
"Even with the win over Cleveland, Pittsburgh’s strength of victory is higher than New England’s and Dallas’ at the moment, so consider that."
From here: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/11...tering-sunday/
" 538 (the prediction folks) has an even bigger jump, giving them a 72% chance of making the playoffs. That stems mostly off a 70% chance to win the AFC North..."
Here is one that will be less popular, but worth a read: http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...-a-meaningless
"...only three teams have made the playoffs more than the Steelers since Tomlin took control of the team in 2007. Those three teams are the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts."
"Pittsburgh may only have one win in the postseason in the last 5 years, but only 11 teams in the league have more than that."
"15 other franchises, or nearly half of the league, have failed to win one postseason game in the last 5 years..."
"Tomlin's Steelers are 6th best in playoff victories since his tenure began as well."
This is not meant as a "Tomlin is GREAT!" or "Anyone who criticizes the Steelers and/or the coaching staff is dumb!" kind of post. But, only want to point out that despiteall the things that we can complain about, the 2016 Steelers control their own playoff destiny and for much of the last decade we have been watching one of the most consistently competitive teams in the entire league.
Consider the following for the last 1/4 of the season:
1. Prior to breaking his fingers, Coates was not perfect but was more than adequate as a deep threat. Those fingers got to heal up at some point. He is averaging over 20 yards/catch for the season. That'd be the "missing" element to push the offense into the stratosphere.
2. Ladarius Green is going to be incorporated into the offense and do Ladarius Green things - which are things that we have seen no Steelers TE do before. Dude is a match-up nightmare. Once he gets fully into game shape and incorporated into the offense, he is going to earn the hell out of that $4 millon cap #.
3. Eli Rogers is finally "getting it". Blocking, staying involved despite not getting passes, reading the same coverages as Roethlisberger. Another weapon on offense.
4. Hargarve, Burns, Davis, Dupree, and MAYBE Gilbert should all be getting better as the season wears on. Look at the plays Davis made in the Colts game and honestly tell me you want Robert Golden holding down that spot. As Davis and Burns stabilize in their roles - Mitchell gets better too. The more he doesn't have to cover for the youngsters, the more he can sit back and head-hunt. Colts game is a great example - I thought he made TY Hilton dead. Like I said in another thread, Dupree makes me giddy. Runs somewhere between a young Timmons and Shazier and is built like DE. Imagine all the goofy LB formations Butler has been running but without the useless piece of Jarvis Jones or Chickillo filling one of the slots?
5. I have no real idea what the defense will do in the remaining quarter of the season. But think about this, now that most of the projected contributors are healthy - the two most un-athletic members of the top 13 or so guys are William Gay and Lawrence Timmons. Think about that - those are some pretty good NFL football players and I would argue that there are 11 guys ready to contribute on defense that have more playmaking potential than those two. Now do those other players have the experience, discipline, and stamina to make those plays over the next handful of games? No idea - but it will keep me glued to my television!
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Originally Posted by teegre
