We now know what it looks like when a high-flying eagle releases its talons, permitting our mouse-like physique to flutter by the whipping winds till it impacts the chilly floor.
Oooofff. That was painful.
Philadelphia Eagles 27. Pittsburgh Steelers 13.
Eagles complete yards 401. Steelers 163.
Eagles time of possession 39:52. Steelers 20:08.
It was a trouncing. On the scoreboard. Of our egos. And, perhaps of our Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
Now, we should stand up from the bottom rapidly. As a result of as dangerous because it was to have been dropped to earth by an eagle, the very last thing we want now’s to have our eyes pecked out by a raven.
We now appear to be the proper feast for revengeful eyes for the Baltimore Ravens. Anyone move the salt and pepper.
By way of some Nationwide Soccer League scheduling quirkiness, the Steelers are basically dealing with three playoff-caliber video games in a row towards the Eagles and Ravens after which solely days later towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
After failing the primary check on the examination, the Steelers will know with some stage of certainty in lower than per week whether or not they are going to be legitimized…or demoralized heading into the postseason.
Will we metal consider we’ve acquired what it takes to go all the way in which? Let’s give it a Spin.
Excuses…Excuses
Simply final week, a religious Seattle Seahawks fan once more complained to me that his crew was robbed of a victory in Tremendous Bowl XL due to poor officiating. That was almost 20 years in the past…By the way in which, lest he overlook, the Steelers received 21-10.
However that’s Seahawks followers. It shouldn’t be Steelers followers. The Eagles manhandled Coach Mike Tomlin’s crew on Sunday. There shouldn’t be anybody whining about refereeing.
It at all times grinds me the mistaken means when persons are dispensing excuses like they’re frisbees at a patchouli oil conference. Dangerous calls. Accidents. Doesn’t matter. Win video games in a means that the breaks don’t break you.
That needs to be the Steelers means.
Nah. I’m Good Coach.
Gamers are making the information for all of the mistaken causes lately. First there was Diontae Johnson who was mentioned to refuse to enter a sport in protest to what he believed was his lack of getting used sufficiently by the Baltimore Ravens. Then, San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell repeated the identical act, in the end leading to his suspension for 3 video games.
There isn’t any defending this habits from gamers who’re paid extra for suiting up in a single sport than most individuals make in a 12 months and a few of their complete lifetime.
Nonetheless, I want to argue on behalf of Justin Fields, who’s nearly as good of a crew participant as there may be on the Steelers. His getting used for a single play in a sport is utter nonsense.
In a matter of seconds, he’s acquired to shed his coat, run onto the sector, absorb a play from his headset, and exit and execute it utterly chilly. Neglect the half about disrespecting the man who performed nicely as your beginning quarterback for the primary six video games of the season. What about his well being? Speak about a recipe for a freak harm that would destroy his alternative for a free company payday.
I’ll repeat my advice from weeks in the past. Don’t give him a play or two. Give him an entire quarter to precise himself. If the Steelers don’t have any wholesome receivers able to getting open, then you definitely’re higher off having Fields scrambling away from defensive strains than Russell Wilson.
However, if they’ll throw him in for some random, token, cold-off-the-bench play, let me converse for him on his behalf: “Nah, I’m good coach.”
Shutdown Nook
It’s been a few years since Pittsburgh has loved the extent of cornerback play they’ve now. Donte Jackson has supplied a stage of Yin to Joey Porter, Jr.’s Yang as his bookend.
Though Porter has struggled with grab-handing receivers and drawing pricey penalties all through the season, his expertise and value at one of many protection’s most vital positions can’t be overstated.
Nonetheless, that being mentioned, as Clint Eastwood as soon as mentioned, “A person’s acquired to know his limitations.”
Having Porter play shutdown nook towards the league’s most interesting receivers has labored out nicely in most conditions the crew has confronted. However that’s the bulk.
There are occasions when you may’t depart him on an island towards an elite receiver when it’s clearly apparent the opposition is drawing up particular performs to win in these conditions.
That was the case in a number of key moments towards the Eagles’ A.J. Brown, the place Porter predictably was crushed. It’s almost a physics impossibility for any human being to cease Brown from finishing a three-yard goal-line slant if he’s unfold out large towards a single cornerback.
It’s good to provide confidence and belief to Porter, who has earned it nicely. However, that shouldn’t preclude the crew from shading him the assistance he wants in these important conditions the place no man needs to be an island.
Regaining Their Footing
Not too way back, the Steelers had been ranked primary within the NFL on protection when it comes to giving up yards per sport. Since then, the fingers have been slipping on the rope, and they’re now eighth-best and only some yards per sport away from dropping out of the highest ten.
That slippage might proceed as they tackle the league’s greatest offense within the Baltimore Ravens, averaging 424 yards per sport. For these of you who get misplaced within the numbers, let’s simplify it: That’s a whole lot of offense.
Actually, Pittsburgh’s skill to trigger turnovers is holding them in video games. However even there, the place they had been as soon as ranked first, they’re now within the seventh spot.
Maybe most annoying concerning the Steelers’ loss to the Eagles was how badly they had been crushed within the trenches. Granted, the Eagles most likely boast the league’s greatest offensive line, however the Steelers’ protection was additionally imagined to be the most effective upfront.
Enjoying offenses just like the Eagles, the Ravens, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and the Cincinnati Bengals won’t appear to be the perfect time to regain your defensive confidence…however Pittsburgh has no different alternative.
The protection can’t relaxation till they reclaim their place as top-of-the-line.
It needs to be clear at this level with even the largest followers of Russell Wilson…the Steelers aren’t going to win a Lombardi Trophy totally on the backs of their offense.
If a deep run within the playoffs is within the playing cards for this season, their solely likelihood of drawing some aces is with T.J. Watt and firm.
Bah Humbug
Whose vibrant concept was it to have the Steelers play on Christmas Day?
I’m certain lots of you consider there could possibly be nothing higher underneath the tree that day, but it surely’s a horrible wager for me.
With the Steelers enjoying the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs I believe we will all agree there may be a minimum of a 50-percent likelihood that half of Steelers Nation will probably be depressing for what’s imagined to be an in any other case joyous day.
I imply…actually, NFL…how do you assume diehard followers “get pleasure from” these video games?
They assume we’ll be there in the lounge sporting our Christmas tree sweaters and our Santa hats, saying cheerfully, “Who cares if my crew is getting humiliated in entrance of a nationwide viewers? Nothing will get in the way in which of my vacation cheer. Might you pour me some extra eggnog? How about tossing just a few extra chestnuts on the open hearth?”
And whereas most informal followers will see soccer on the tv as merely good white noise and flashing photographs within the background of hearty conversations, a few of us are literally attempting to look at the sport.
Right here, I’ll be sitting subsequent to my daughter’s boyfriend’s mother and father, who will probably be chomping noisily on the rubbery fruitcake they introduced. They’ll say, “We simply love your daughter and really feel so excited concerning the concept of getting her as a part of our household.”
At that time, I’ll both should preserve my true emotions buried beneath a hard-pressed smile, which might end in extreme well being points like abdomen ulcers, or I’ll should cope with this correctly.
Turning to them, I’ll say politely, “The one factor I care about proper now’s realizing if Pittsburgh goes to have the ability to convert this third down, so in the event you don’t thoughts…please shut your piehole.”
And maybe, after ignoring everybody as they sing Christmas carols, play board video games, sit down for dinner with out me, and change Yuletide glee, I would expertise some lonely thrill of victory if the Steelers handle to tug off the win.
Then, as I flip off the tv, I’ll be compelled to make up for misplaced time and should say issues to my daughter’s boyfriend’s mother and father like, “We simply love your son and really feel so excited concerning the concept of getting him as a part of our household.”
I simply don’t see a win right here.
The Solely Two Potential Outcomes
Bear in mind when the Cleveland Browns beat us this 12 months?
No? Me neither. That’s as a result of our victory towards them a few weeks in the past righted all wrongs and blocked out all reminiscences of that disappointment in Cleveland earlier within the season. Myles Garrett, who?
That is precisely the chance the Baltimore Ravens have earlier than them. Beat us on their house turf, and no matter significance we had in our prior win towards them will burst into flames and drift away in a purple haze.
This sport is the one one which issues. Both we’re the bully on the block and safe the AFC North title…or we get a correct comeuppance.
I see solely two attainable outcomes of this sport.
The darkish one is the sort we witnessed years in the past when Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed…and sure, sadly…Rod Woodson had been on their squads. Throughout their halcyon years, we took among the worst beatdowns ever in Baltimore.
That would occur once more. And it could possibly be lights out Sammy for the Steelers. Think about how enjoyable will probably be to look at HBO’s Exhausting Knocks.
The opposite attainable end result is the one we have to cling to desperately. In an in depth sport, I see the Steelers profitable.
Tomlin has had John Harbaugh’s quantity for some time, and the Steelers profit from probably the most unlikely method this 12 months:
Chris Boswell > Justin Tucker
What’s going to the end result be? It’s all the way down to a coin flip, with the wind blowing favorably for Baltimore: distress or bliss.
After which come the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
It received’t be till subsequent Saturday once we meet once more; by then, there received’t be any secrets and techniques left to speak about this Steelers crew. It could possibly be the shortest Spin ever composed. There won’t be phrases left to explain my pleasure…or dismay.
At the very least, hopefully, by then, my daughter will probably be speaking to me once more.
