My perspective

[DesertSteel]

The reality is that the Steelers are a top 7-8 team. I was hopeful they were more. But they played three top 5 teams in 11 days, two without their only good receiver, and lost them all. Meanwhile teams like the Chargers are feasting on opponents like the Patriots.

The sky hasn’t fallen. They might win a playoff game or they might not.

Some people on here are always negative. They want their credit when their negative predictions come true. Guess what? Most of what happens in this world is negative. It takes nothing to be negative. To come on here and say fire this one or trade that one. This team sucks. They’ll never win until… blah blah blah. You’ll never get a single acknowledgement out of me.

It’s possible to be critical without being constantly negative to the point you hope it comes true so you’ll be right. To me, that’s not a fan.

Go Steelers! And to those who predicted a 5-win season, stick it!

[86WARD]

Go Steelers! And to those who predicted a 5-win season, stick it!

[Born2Steel]

I like your perspective. I agree with the 'why be negative' point most of all. It is a marathon season, not a sprint. We have at least 2 more games to play before we're done. If we get a 3rd that's a bonus. Celebrate it!

[Mojouw]

All true!

They’re one tier down from the top teams. Not too shabby considering their HOF QB recently retired.

[Edman]

They’re one tier down from the top teams. Not too shabby considering their HOF QB recently retired.

If the games were close, sure but the Steelers playing the three top teams and getting blown out by all three is "one-tier down". I'd hate to see what the tier below it is.

They're right where I thought them to be in the beginning of the season. In the middle. We made moves in the offseason to push above the line, and it didn't work. At this point it's just resigning to the fact that this core hit its ceiling and will either decline or stay where they are. This team needs big bounces to go its way.

[DesertSteel]

If the games were close, sure but the Steelers playing the three top teams and getting blown out by all three is "one-tier down". I'd hate to see what the tier below it is.

They're right where I thought them to be in the beginning of the season. In the middle. We made moves in the offseason to push above the line, and it didn't work. At this point it's just resigning to the fact that this core hit its ceiling and will either decline or stay where they are. This team needs big bounces to go its way.

They’re better than the middle but you’re just too negative to admit it or concede it.

[Steeler-in-west]

I like your positive perspective, but im disappointed. I really thought they'd win at least one of these three games. I wanted to understand why we lost these games: this is my rationalization: O line wasnt up to par, pickens was out for the first two which led to the turnovers. defensive backfield was depleted. So hope for some health on D and some adjustments to increase pressure on the opposing Qb’s and hope for some adjustments by Smith…and lets see what happens

Right now were a marginal playoff team. The three games weren't close. Unless we can get a little healthy and make adjustments on D (do your job Austin) and the offense were a quick out.

[Edman]

They’re better than the middle but you’re just too negative to admit it or concede it.

You say they're better than the middle but never named any places where they are. The Special Teams are the only place where this team has been above average, but they were good last year too.

[El Kabong]

You say they're better than the middle but never named any places where they are. The Special Teams are the only place where this team has been above average, but they were good last year too.

They have 10 wins. That's better than middle.

[Born2Steel]

You say they're better than the middle but never named any places where they are. The Special Teams are the only place where this team has been above average, but they were good last year too.

Look at their record, where they rank in total offense, and total defense. Better than the middle.

[DesertSteel]

You say they're better than the middle but never named any places where they are. The Special Teams are the only place where this team has been above average, but they were good last year too.

They're weak at WR. That’s their achilles on offense. It showed up big time in their losses recently. Even with some holes, their defense is top 10. Their special teams are excellent with Boz being the top kicker in the league. I’m still trying to figure what Russ has left. I’ve not closed the book on him. He played like a top 10 QB for 7 or so games. These next two games will give me my conclusions. I could give you stats, but it’s not worth looking them up for someone who’s mind is made up.

[Edman]

Look at their record, where they rank in total offense, and total defense. Better than the middle.

The '23 Pickett/Mason team won 10 games too. The '24 Offense scored more points, but the '24 Defense gave up more points. They also got blown out by contenders just like last years' team did. Also, '23 Kenny Pickett had a better record as a starter than '24 Russ Wilson and Justin Fields.

That sounds pretty middle to me, but you say they're not middle, so its whatever. You have a different perspective than I do.

It's pretty sad when we're disagreeing that the Steelers team aren't mid, rather than they're gonna contend or win a championship.

[86WARD]

They're weak at WR. That’s their achilles on offense. It showed up big time in their losses recently. Even with some holes, their defense is top 10. Their special teams are excellent with Boz being the top kicker in the league. I’m still trying to figure what Russ has left. I’ve not closed the book on him. He played like a top 10 QB for 7 or so games. These next two games will give me my conclusions. I could give you stats, but it’s not worth looking them up for someone who’s mind is made up.

O-Line has issues too.

[cubanstogie]

The '23 Pickett/Mason team won 10 games too. The '24 Offense scored more points, but the '24 Defense gave up more points. They also got blown out by contenders just like last years' team did. Also, '23 Kenny Pickett had a better record as a starter than '24 Russ Wilson and Justin Fields.

That sounds pretty middle to me, but you say they're not middle, so it’s whatever.

Steelers offense 5 plus points better and averaging 25 more yards. That’s 30% and about 9 % respectively offensively alone. Defense 1 point worse. Getting rid of KP and MR absolutely an improvement even by a guy on downhill slide. Rome wasn’t built in a day but anyone watching last year knew it needed rebuilding.

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Except voice of treason and 3 others.

[DesertSteel]

O-Line has issues too.

They do but I actually consider them to have lots of upside.

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It's pretty sad when we're disagreeing that the Steelers team aren't mid, rather than they're gonna contend or win a championship.

Everything is sad from your perspective as a fan.

[NCSteeler]

Lots of social media saying ravens and chiefs had the same schedule. Blah blah one play browns one play giants. Not the same as eagles. Anyhow

Raven have lost to KC and the Eagles.

If we had a top tier QB we would be the 1 seed

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[NCSteeler]

OMG I just saw this.

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[El-Gonzo Jackson]

OMG I just saw this.

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Yeah, but that was 5 drafts ago. A time when people were still hanging onto the notion that "all Ben needs is more offensive weapons around him".

They have basically been a top 10-15 team for a while now and sure if they are top 7-8 now that is great. How do they get to top 5 next is the question? Quarterbacking is better, but still not enough to get them there and the salary cap will be coming up against them soon if they pay a QB on the roster. I still think they are a few years away from having a shot to get their QB of the future.

[Edman]

OMG I just saw this.

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Chase Claypool was a good choice. The Steelers were getting Ben back, and Claypool was everything as advertised in his rookie season. No one expected him to plummet off a cliff. That seems to be a trend for the Steelers lately, They bring in a player with potential who has a great start, then they drop off and never make their first contract. Even Devin Bush and KP showed some good in their rookie seasons.

[Born2Steel]

The '23 Pickett/Mason team won 10 games too. The '24 Offense scored more points, but the '24 Defense gave up more points. They also got blown out by contenders just like last years' team did. Also, '23 Kenny Pickett had a better record as a starter than '24 Russ Wilson and Justin Fields.

That sounds pretty middle to me, but you say they're not middle, so its whatever. You have a different perspective than I do.

It's pretty sad when we're disagreeing that the Steelers team aren't mid, rather than they're gonna contend or win a championship.

I actually said look at where they rank this season in total offense and total defense. That is this season. Comparing to a different season has no bearing to where they rank this season. The entire league is different.

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You're being sad.

[EzraTank]

The reality is that the Steelers are a top 7-8 team. I was hopeful they were more. But they played three top 5 teams in 11 days, two without their only good receiver, and lost them all. Meanwhile teams like the Chargers are feasting on opponents like the Patriots.

The sky hasn’t fallen. They might win a playoff game or they might not.

Some people on here are always negative. They want their credit when their negative predictions come true. Guess what? Most of what happens in this world is negative. It takes nothing to be negative. To come on here and say fire this one or trade that one. This team sucks. They’ll never win until… blah blah blah. You’ll never get a single acknowledgement out of me.

It’s possible to be critical without being constantly negative to the point you hope it comes true so you’ll be right. To me, that’s not a fan.

Go Steelers! And to those who predicted a 5-win season, stick it!

I certainly wasn't expecting a 5 win season. And yes I get your positive vibes, but the thing that a lot of people here clearly see is the fact that as long as Tomlin continues to define the definition of "insanity" and doing the same thing over and over we will never be better than the top 7-8 team that we consistently finish as. Year after year we are just good enough to either sneak into the playoffs or just miss them relegating us to picking in the draft spot and getting the same results. I'm sick of being just about .500 every year.

[Voice of Reason]

Some people on here are always negative. They want their credit when their negative predictions come true.

Yes. And those people are called Kenny-bashers.

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Go Steelers! And to those who predicted a 5-win season, stick it!

Who predicted a 5-win season?

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They’re one tier down from the top teams. Not too shabby considering their HOF QB recently retired.

They've been one tier down from the top teams for ten years.

[Voice of Reason]

Getting rid of KP and MR absolutely an improvement even by a guy on downhill slide.

KP and MR were a combined 10-4 in the regular season. Wilson and Fields are a combined 10-6.

Oops.

[Voice of Reason]

I certainly wasn't expecting a 5 win season. And yes I get your positive vibes, but the thing that a lot of people here clearly see is the fact that as long as Tomlin continues to define the definition of "insanity" and doing the same thing over and over we will never be better than the top 7-8 team that we consistently finish as. Year after year we are just good enough to either sneak into the playoffs or just miss them relegating us to picking in the draft spot and getting the same results. I'm sick of being just about .500 every year.

Looks like we now have a third person here guilty of "treason".

[cubanstogie]

Looks like we now have a third person here guilty of "treason".

That’s frustration all us fans have. If you can’t see difference in yourself and what you wished for you are obtuse. I get it, misery loves company. It seems you will throw anyone under bus to get in your treasonous club. You should let them join voluntarily though.

[Mojouw]

I’ve always thought 2019 or whatever year Ben got hurt was a SB caliber team with a functional elbow.

Then it’s been a search for a SB caliber QB since then. Few teams have ever stayed in a playoff tier while doing that.

For me, the fact that the Steelers have is impressive.

This season has been a blast to watch even if they’re frustrating at times.

[DesertSteel]

I’ve always thought 2019 or whatever year Ben got hurt was a SB caliber team with a functional elbow.

Then it’s been a search for a SB caliber QB since then. Few teams have ever stayed in a playoff tier while doing that.

For me, the fact that the Steelers have is impressive.

This season has been a blast to watch even if they’re frustrating at times.

Excellent perspective that's not often mentioned.

[cubanstogie]

I’ve always thought 2019 or whatever year Ben got hurt was a SB caliber team with a functional elbow.

Then it’s been a search for a SB caliber QB since then. Few teams have ever stayed in a playoff tier while doing that.

For me, the fact that the Steelers have is impressive.

This season has been a blast to watch even if they’re frustrating at times.

I agree this year fun to watch. Always frustration as a fan. Last year it was the consistent lack of offense and a putrid avg of 17 points. This year some offense for sure but more explosive plays which always gives hope. But lately it’s been lack of pressure, creating turnovers and wide open receivers, which we aren’t used to. Well maybe open receivers we’ve seen before. You know no one is frustrated by this more than TJ and Highsmith. They can only be contained for so long. All I know is it’s much more fun watching playoffs with Steelers in it as opposed to rooting for whoever the Ravens play.

[86WARD]

This team and the roster have been fun to watch. The last few seasons, don’t come nearly as close to as fun as this one. But yes…tons of frustration come with this season but overall, this 2024 team would mop the floor with the 2022-2023 teams.

There’s much more talent on the 2024 team and they are producing similar results against much, much harder competition.

[DesertSteel]

I certainly wasn't expecting a 5 win season. And yes I get your positive vibes, but the thing that a lot of people here clearly see is the fact that as long as Tomlin continues to define the definition of "insanity" and doing the same thing over and over we will never be better than the top 7-8 team that we consistently finish as. Year after year we are just good enough to either sneak into the playoffs or just miss them relegating us to picking in the draft spot and getting the same results. I'm sick of being just about .500 every year.

I’m getting to old to be sick of 10 win seasons. I enjoy watching. I learned a long time ago that sports fandom has one purpose: to break your heart. I’m thankful for 6 times that didn’t happen.