Quote Originally Posted by Hawkman View Post
Sorry, but I'm really not agreeing with the comparisons, and frankly I think there is plenty of enthusiasm for a SB run, myself included. Games like the Colts, in the past, we would have lost that game,( playing down to the competition). We found a way to win this one. We've played six out of nine games on the road, and won five.
This team, particularly the offense, is getting trashed in the local media this week and the fan base is bitching as well. For a 7-2 team my recollection is that is unusual compared to the enthusiasm for other Steelers teams with such a favorable record in November.

According to PFR about the only Steelers teams that reached 7-2 since Noll arrived were a number of the 70s teams, the 1983 team, the 1996 team, the 2001 team, the 2004-2005 teams and the 2007 team.

https://www.pro-football-reference.c.../pit/index.htm

The enthusiasm for the 2005 team collapsed after they lost three straight to fall to 7-5, not when that team was 7-2.

Only other comparable situation might be the 1974 team, which was at 7-2-1 but also had QB performance issues as Noll was still shuffling Bradshaw, Gilliam and Hanratty in November.

I certainly am not giving up on the season, just noting that when a team is at 7-2 I have not seen so many downbeat assessments - might be a reflection of anyone with access to a modem being able to share their opinions.