What's Your Confidence Level in this Team for the Playoffs?

[Craic]

After last weeks game and then this game, I have very little confidence. They have the talent, and the defense has stepped up. They barely allowed a 100 yard rusher against the top rushing team in the NFL. Denver's offense played mistake free and almost a perfect game.

However, it's the small mental mistakes by the skill positions on offense. Ben and his INTs, Conner and his drops and fumbles, Grimble and his costly fumble today. Switzer even got into the act today.

So, I see this as a one and done team. If they get lucky have a good game, perhaps a two and done team. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think so.

This team stops itself.

[steelerdude15]

They should win the division and at least make it as the 3rd seed. I think they'll win in the first round, but probably will lose in the second round.

[Mojouw]

They should win the division and at least make it as the 3rd seed. I think they'll win in the first round, but probably will lose in the second round.

This seems like a reasonable and likely outcome

[steelerdude15]

This seems like a reasonable and likely outcome

Yeah, its what I predicted at the beginning of the season.

[Craic]

This seems like a reasonable and likely outcome

Perhaps. However, if they come up against a hot team early, it's lights out. Again, not because the Steelers can't match up. They can, and more. It's just that they cannot get out of their own way.

[GoSlash27]

My confidence level in the team is very high, but my confidence in our ability to make the super bowl is low. This was a must- win for us.

[Rotorhead]

My confidence level in the team is very high, but my confidence in our ability to make the super bowl is low. This was a must- win for us.

How is this a must win? We are almost assured a playoffs spot, and honestly not having a bye is probably better considering they always come out slow and rusty after them, and it takes them a half to get going.

[Lady Steel]

How is this a must win? We are almost assured a playoffs spot, and honestly not having a bye is probably better considering they always come out slow and rusty after them, and it takes them a half to get going.

I prefer they not have a bye, as well. Gotta keep the momentum going.

[GoSlash27]

How is this a must win? We are almost assured a playoffs spot, and honestly not having a bye is probably better considering they always come out slow and rusty after them, and it takes them a half to get going.

Rotorhead,
It's because of the seeding. Yes, we're going to the playoffs. The difference is whether we get #2 or #3. If we get #2, NE has to come to us, if we get #3 we have to go to NE. I believe that we can beat NE in Hines Field, but I don't believe we can beat them in Foxboro. We needed this game to control our destiny for that. Now we need help.

*EDIT* Which is not to say that I'm giving up by any stretch. We're going to the playoffs and anything can happen. But our road just got a lot tougher tonight.

[BnG_Hevn]

How is this a must win? We are almost assured a playoffs spot, and honestly not having a bye is probably better considering they always come out slow and rusty after them, and it takes them a half to get going.

4 games left, if they lose to Patriots and Saints that means a 9 win season. Ravens could easily overtake them.

[Rotorhead]

4 games left, if they lose to Patriots and Saints that means a 9 win season. Ravens could easily overtake them.

And the Ravens still have the Chargers and the Chiefs to play. Which ever team gets an upset wins the division.

[Crow-Magnon]

And the Ravens still have the Chargers and the Chiefs to play. Which ever team gets an upset wins the division.

Good point. This Sunday may go a long way towards who ultimately wins the division. IF the Ravens beat the Chiefs, and IF the Steelers lose to Oakland, that would leave only one "losable" game left for Baltimore (Chargers) and two winnable games (Bucs and Browns), while Pittsburgh will still face two tough games with the Saints and the Pats.

Once again, that's not a prediction, just a "what if". Pittsburgh should, IMO, crush the Raiders towards their goal for winning the AFCN title. And the Ravens should lose to a potent Chiefs offense playing at home in front of a noisy crowd. But "what ifs" ain't worth a plug nickel until the final whistle blows.

[Shoes]

The hard part of the schedule coming up.

[EzraTank]

Lose in second round in Foxboro.

[st33lersguy]

Their getting torched by somebody in the postseason. Book it

[BlackAndGold]

2nd round loss.

Always been the ceiling of the team. Past years are the proof.

[cold-hard-steel]

You guys go ahead and jump ship,i,m stayin aboard.The dust is hardly even kicked up and i like how some already have it settling.Just sayin.

[Lady Steel]

You guys go ahead and jump ship,i,m stayin aboard.The dust is hardly even kicked up and i like how some already have it settling.Just sayin.

I'm with you. I'm not worried, like, at all. They CAN do this!

[GBMelBlount]

I'm with you. I'm not worried, like, at all. They CAN do this!

There are 6 or 8 teams that have a legitimate shot of winning every year.

So while the odds are against us, I feel whether we are 6th seed or 1st, if:

1. We peak at the right time and are healthy.
2. Ben is healthy and in the right frame of mind.

We can beat anyone.

[Shoes]

They are 8 or 10 teams that have a legitimate shot of winning every year.

So while the odds are against us, I feel whether we are 6th seed or 1st, if:

1. We peak at the right time and are healthy.
2. Ben is healthy and in the right frame of mind.

We can beat anyone.

#2 is the scary part.

[Lady Steel]

#2 is the scary part.

I have to admit... that is true.

[Neversatisfied]

Confidence level is low. Ben is bad on the road and the Secondary is as bad as it's been in the last 10 seasons. James Conner is exhausted and the #2 back is a practice squad guy, the defensive line rarely has a game that it gets consistent pressure. The most concerning is coaching, it's just not good enough.

[Craic]

Confidence level is low. Ben is bad on the road and the Secondary is as bad as it's been in the last 10 seasons. James Conner is exhausted and the #2 back is a practice squad guy, the defensive line rarely has a game that it gets consistent pressure. The most concerning is coaching, it's just not good enough.

Every value judgment in your post is statistically wrong. Ben has a great road record and suffered his first loss of the season on the road today. The secondary is considerably better than the last ten years, and rates in the top 10 in several categories. They also rank 6th in most passes defended. The defensive line and LBs had more sacks before today than any team in the NFL.

This game was expertly coached. The problem, simply (if flippantly), is too many players not using enough stick'em.

- - - Updated - - -

This team is far better at home than on the road. This game wasn't a must win but it was a shoulda won.

Again, how do you figure that when they've lost more at home than they have on the road?

[EzraTank]

We needed to win this game. Even with a win head to head versus the Pats we still have the Saints on the road looming. We basically needed to win out and have only one more loss to the Saints to have a legit shot at the #2 seed. Pats have us and the Viking left and we all know how that's going to end.

[Neversatisfied]

This team is far better at home than on the road. This game wasn't a must win but it was a shoulda won.

[DesertSteel]

My confidence level for the playoffs didn’t change a bit because of this game. It happens. Especially with Ben. Win the division and see what happens. They play better with adversity so a first round bye may actually hurt them.

[86WARD]

I’m about a 7/10 at the moment. Maybe win one game and lose the second playoff game. They’ll wind up losing in KC as the 4th seed. I’m seeing a 10-5-1 record.

Conner is gassed. At the point that Bell decided not to return, Conner has been a different player. No direct correlation other than timing. Bell returning would’ve been huge for the depth of the position. Anyway, Conner is not blocking as well as he was, he’s losing the ball. He’s not breaking runs, he’s dropping passes. I’m very concerned at this stage about the RB position. He’s running more like Mendenhall than Bell right now.

[Iron Steeler]

Big ben in the playoffs i don't care what seed. I AM STILL CONFIDENT!

[Hawkman]

SUPERBOWL........BOOK IT!

[Lady Steel]

SUPERBOWL........BOOK IT!